December In Sweden: What To Know Before You Go

Sweden in December is a winter wonderland, with snow-covered landscapes, festive cheer, and plenty of indoor and outdoor activities to enjoy. The country's largest city, Stockholm, becomes a magical place with its old town, Gamla Stan, lit up with Christmas lights and decorations. It's the perfect time to visit for those seeking a true winter experience, with temperatures dipping below freezing and an abundance of snow.

December is Sweden's snowiest month, with an average temperature range of -1.0°C to 3.0°C. The days are short, with only around 6 hours of daylight, and the darkness is illuminated by festive lights and decorations. It's a great time to visit popular attractions such as the Vasa Museum, the Royal Palace, and the ski resort of Hammarbybacken, as well as take part in winter sports like skiing, dog sledding, and ice skating.

The build-up to Christmas is a lively time, with bustling markets, light shows, and traditional handicrafts and food. Gothenburg and Stockholm host some of the best Christmas markets, with the former holding the biggest single market and the latter boasting the world's largest real Christmas tree. The Swedish Advent, Nobel Week, St Lucia Day, Christmas, and New Year's Eve are all celebrated with unique traditions and festivities.

So, if you're looking for an offbeat European trip with snowy landscapes and a festive spirit, Sweden in December is the perfect choice. Just don't forget to pack your warmest clothes!

Stockholm's Old Town Christmas tree is the world's largest, standing at 30 metres

Sweden in December is a winter wonderland, with snow-covered landscapes and Christmas festivities. If you're planning a trip to Sweden during this time, here's something you shouldn't miss: Stockholm's Old Town Christmas tree, standing tall at 30 metres, is a spectacular sight and one of the world's tallest Christmas trees.

Located in the heart of Stockholm's historic Gamla Stan, the Old Town, this iconic tree is a must-see attraction. The Old Town itself is a charming neighbourhood, dating back to the 13th century, with medieval alleyways, cobblestone streets, and archaic architecture influenced by North German design.

During the festive season, the entire area is transformed into a magical Christmas wonderland, with the towering tree as its centrepiece. The tree is decorated with intricate ornaments and thousands of twinkling lights, creating a warm and joyous atmosphere. The surrounding area is filled with festive market stalls, offering traditional handicrafts, delicious Swedish cuisine, and festive treats.

The Christmas tree in Stockholm's Old Town is not just a local attraction; it draws visitors from all over the world, who come to admire its grandeur and immerse themselves in the holiday spirit. It serves as a symbol of the holiday season, bringing people together and creating lasting memories.

So, if you're visiting Sweden in December, make sure to include a visit to Stockholm's Old Town and witness the magnificent Christmas tree that stands tall, spreading cheer and joy to all who gather around it. It's an experience you won't forget!

Daylight is scarce in December, with the sun never rising in the Arctic north and only one hour of sunshine in the south

If you're travelling to Sweden in December, you should be prepared for scarce daylight. In the Arctic north, the sun never rises, and in the south, there is only around one hour of sunshine each day. This means that the temperature is cold, averaging around freezing in Stockholm and -10°C in the Arctic.

The lack of daylight means that Swedes rely on other sources of light and warmth to lift their spirits. They use candles, festive lights, decorations, music, and food to brighten up the dark, cold days. In the lead-up to Christmas, Swedes drink mulled wine, or glogg, to warm their spirits. This is made with red wine, sugar, and spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and cloves.

The short days and long nights of December in Sweden are also brightened by the Northern Lights, which are particularly visible in the Arctic. The Swedes have a range of indoor activities to keep themselves entertained during the dark days, including visiting museums and Christmas markets.

If you're travelling to Sweden in December, be sure to pack plenty of warm clothes, including insulating layers, scarves, hats, gloves, and warm, waterproof boots.

The Nobel Prize ceremony takes place in Stockholm on 10 December

If you're travelling to Sweden in December, you'll be met with snow-covered landscapes, Christmas festivities, and short days. The average temperature ranges between -1.0°C and 3.0°C, with around 6 hours of daylight.

December 10th is a significant date in Sweden, marking the anniversary of Alfred Nobel's death and the Nobel Prize ceremony. Since 1901, the Nobel Prizes have been awarded to laureates at ceremonies on this date. The prizes in physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, literature, and economic sciences are presented in Stockholm, Sweden, while the Peace Prize is awarded in Oslo, Norway.

The ceremony in Stockholm has traditionally been held at the Konserthuset Stockholm (the Stockholm Concert Hall) and is followed by a banquet at the Stockholm City Hall for about 1,300 guests, including students and members of the Swedish Royal Family. The Nobel Prize banquet is a memorable event with a strict dress code, celebrating the achievements of the laureates.

The Nobel Prize ceremony is part of a week-long celebration in Stockholm known as Nobel Week, which includes a dazzling light show and commemorates previous Nobel Prize winners.

If you're visiting Stockholm in December, you can also enjoy the city's Christmas markets, explore the Old Town, and participate in various winter sports and activities.

Swedes celebrate Christmas on 24 December with a smorgasbord of pickled herring, meatballs and Christmas ham

Swedes celebrate Christmas with a smorgasbord of food

The Swedes celebrate Christmas on 24 December with a smorgasbord of pickled herring, meatballs, and Christmas ham. This day is also known as Christmas Eve and is the main day for celebrating Christmas in Sweden. The Swedish Christmas table is a smorgasbord of different dishes, both sweet and savoury, that Swedes enjoy throughout the festive season.

The Christmas smorgasbord, called a "julbord", is traditionally served on 24 December and features an endless array of fish, bread, cheese, cold meats, hot dishes, and desserts. The julbord is considered the ultimate Christmas smorgasbord and is often the most anticipated meal of the year for Swedish families.

Pickled herring is considered a must-have at the Swedish Christmas smorgasbord, with at least eight different types of herring dishes being served. Other essential dishes include Swedish meatballs ("köttbullar"), dry-cured salmon ("gravlax"), cocktail sausages ("prinskorv"), and of course, the Christmas ham ("julskinka"). The ham is boiled and breaded, then presented in its entirety before being sliced and eaten cold, often with a dollop of mustard.

In addition to the savoury dishes, there are also plenty of sweet treats to choose from at a Swedish Christmas celebration. "Ris à la Malta", a vanilla rice pudding served with orange slices, is a popular choice. Traditionally, an almond is hidden inside the creamy rice, and whoever finds it is said to be the next one to get married. There are also usually homemade sweets such as "knäck", a butterscotch toffee with chopped almonds, and "ischoklad", a melt-in-the-mouth type of chocolate.

So, if you're lucky enough to be invited to a traditional Swedish Christmas celebration, make sure you come hungry and ready to indulge in the delicious smorgasbord of dishes!

The average temperature in December ranges from -1.0°C to 3.0°C

In December, Sweden is said to be completely covered in snow. The average temperature ranges from −1.0°C to 3.0°C, with the mercury rarely falling below −10°C or rising above 5°C. The country experiences around six hours of daylight in December, with the sun setting around 3 pm for most of the month.

December is the perfect time to visit Sweden if you want to take part in winter activities and experience the festive spirit. The country's ski resorts and Christmas markets are a major draw for visitors.

If you plan to travel to Sweden in December, be sure to pack warm clothing, including insulating layers, a proper winter coat, and thick socks.

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