Christmas Market In Gamla Stan

Christmas Market In Gamla Stan

I have already written about this year's various Christmas Markets around Stockholm... but I made a stop yesterday at Gamla Stan (old town) and I thought I would post some information and pictures to get you inspired! I call it the "main market" as it is the one that is the most well-known, open daily (11am to 6pm) and is very centrally located on the picturesque square Stortorget in the old town.

Being surrounded by the beautiful architecture of the medieval buildings that surround the square adds to the ambiance... with extra holiday atmosphere when it snows! Strolling around between the stalls, you will find ornaments, decorations, candies, toys, knitwear as well as food like herring, sausages, gingerbread, jams & jellies. You can also buy a cup of glögg (spiced hot mulled wine) and some candied almonds to snack on.

This market is open daily until December 23rd. It can get quite crowded in the late afternoons on the weekdays as well as during the weekends. I was there on a Monday early afternoon and there were no crowds! The easiest way to get there from the Hotel Rival is either to walk (15-20 minutes) or take the subway to Gamla Stan (two stops on the red line).

Ornaments...

...herring...

...candy...

...wreaths and...

...much more!

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Christmas Lights In Stockholm 2018

Christmas Lights In Stockholm 2018

For the sixth year in a row, the downtown area of Stockholm is lit up with official Christmas lights and decorations. Using 700,000+ LED lights, 35 streets and squares in the downtown commercial district are lit up. Especially popular are the various forest creatures (like moose and reindeer), angels, hearts and other decorations created by these lights. It does make the city much more festive!

You can either just wander around on your own, or you can use their special maps where all the lights and decorations are marked out. We do have these maps at the Hotel Rival. Otherwise there is an online version you can download and use. There is also the option of joining their guided "walk of lights" which they offer every Saturday and Sunday in December. Buying tickets in advance is recommended as there are a limited amount of spots.

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Museums And Sightseeing During Christmas And New Year's 2018

Museums And Sightseeing During Christmas And New Year's 2018

Christmas in Stockholm
Photo by Henrik Trygg/mediabank.visitstockholm.com 

If you are planning on visiting Stockholm during the holiday season, you might be wondering which museums are open which days. There are, of course, a few closures, but there is always at least two museums open each day as well as a sightseeing tour, so you won't have to just aimlessly wander the streets without anything to do! Each museum is linked to their website so you can check exact hours and get more information. Stockholm does have around 80 museums and attractions. I obviously can't list them all so, if you are staying at the Rival Hotel, contact me directly for information about other museums. You will find some information about sightseeing after the list.

The Vasa Ship
Photo by Yanan Li/mediabank.visitstockholm.com 

• Skansen (open air museum and zoo)- open every day, free entrance on Dec 24th.
• Vasa Museum (17th century preserved warship)- closed on Dec 23rd to 25th and Jan 1st. Closes early (3pm) on Dec 31st. 
• ABBA the Museum (self explanatory, no?)- open every day (for the first time)!
• Fotografiska (photography)- open every day! 
• Moderna (modern art)- closed on Dec 24th, 25th, 31st & Jan 1st, otherwise closed on Mondays. 
• Center for Architecture and Design- closed on Dec 24th, 25th, 31st & Jan 1st, otherwise closed on Mondays. 
• Nobel Museum (Alfred Nobel and the Nobel Prizes)- closed on Dec 24th, 25th, 31st & Jan 1st, otherwise closed on Mondays.
• National Museum (classic/fine arts and design)-  Closed on Dec 24th and 31st 
• Historiska (Swedish history/Vikings)- closed on Dec 24th, 25th and 31st. Closed on Mondays, but open on Jan 1st. 
• Nordiska (cultural history)- open every day! 
• Medeltidsmuseet (medieval history of Stockholm)- closed on Dec 24th, 25th, 31st and Jan 1st. Otherwise closed on Mondays. 
• Stadshuset (city hall)- closed on Dec 24th, 25th, 26th and Jan 1st (though the souvenir shop is open on Jan 1st). Shorter hours on other days during this period. 
• Vikingaliv (Vikings)- closed on Dec 23rd, 24th and 25th. Closes early (3pm) on Dec 31st. 
• Spritmuseum (spirits, as in adult beverages)- closed Dec 23rd, 24th, 25th and 31st. 
• The Royal Palace- closed Dec 24th and 25th. Closed on Mondays except Jan 1st when the Royal Apartments will be open. Check the website for the different museums within the palace (i.e. The Treasury). 
• Livrustkammaren (Royal Armoury)- closed on Dec 24th, 25th, 26th, 31st and Jan 1st. Otherwise closed on Mondays. 
• Millesgården (sculpture & art)- closed on Dec 24th and 25th. Closed otherwise on Mondays, but will be open on Dec 31st. 
• Thielska Galleriet (art)- closed on Dec 24th, 25th, 31st and Jan 1st. Closed otherwise on Mondays.
• Prins Eugens Waldermarsudde (art)- closed on Dec 24th, 25th and 31st. Otherwise closed on Mondays.
• Sven-Harrys Konstmuseum (art)- closed on Dec 24th, 25th, 31st and Jan 1st. 
• Naturhistoriska (natural history)- closed on Dec 23rd and 24th. Closed on Mondays but will be open on Dec 31st!
• Drottningholm Palace- closed between Dec17th and 30th. Will be open daily between Dec 31st and Jan 6th during the Swedish winter school break). After that just on Saturdays and Sundays until April.
• Junibacken (the world of Astrid Lindgren, for children)- closed on Dec 24th and 25th. 

In regards to sightseeing... Strömma will be offering different sightseeing tours during this period, like their Panorama bus tour (daily), Archipelago boat tour (most days, though not Dec 24th), Winter boat tour (daily from Dec 18th) as well as the Hop-On/Off bus (daily). Free Tour Stockholm will have daily tours... check website for tours and times. If you are interested in a private tour, check OURWAY Tours or book your own authorized guide. 

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