The most wonderful time of the year has arrived – dreary November giving way to December. That means snow, candles, cookies – and YLC’s very own gift to you, a grand guide of where to be and what to do this month!
The Christmas Spirit Walk
Whether this is your first Christmas in Stockholm or one of many, there’s no better way to get in the spirit than this guided tour. Stroll through Old Town and learn about Swedish Christmas, from advent to lights to julbord (Christmas feast) and more. Plus, glögg (mulled wine) and pepparkakor (gingerbread cookies) are included in the price!
When: Every Monday through Saturday December 2nd to December 21st, 3:00 p.m.
Where: Järntorget, Old Town
Cost: Adults 150 SEK, children 75 SEK, students 120 SEK. Must prebook here.
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Christmas Plant Exhibition
Now that you’ve tried Swedish glögg – what on earth is in it? Find out about the ingredients, and other Christmas plants, at the Bergius Botanic Gardens! Your senses will be delighted with colors, shapes and scents of all kinds.
When: December 6th through December 8th, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Where: The Old Orangery (Gamla orangeriet), Bergius Botanic Garden
Cost: 60 SEK
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YAY Festival
Feeling like Christmas gave you the cold shoulder? Need something to inspire your winter revelry? YAY Festival is the thing for you! Yes, YAY. YAY is an annual inspiration festival with outspoken, entertaining personalties such as Yvonne Skattberg, a well-known Swedish comedian. So go get inspired!
When: December 7th, starting at 4:00 p.m.
Where: Delight Studios, Hammarby
Cost: Adults 249 SEK, students 169 SEK at the door
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Dance ❤ Stockholm Festival
December is dark and cold, we know. So stay warm with five days of dance at the Dans Stockholm International Contemporary Dance Festival. The festival is a brand new collaborative by many key players such as Dramaten, Operan, Kulturhuset Stadsteatern…and it promises to be amazing.
When: December 4th to December 8th
Where: 12 different stages throughout Stockholm – see list here
Cost: Festival pass 99 SEK, all-inclusive pass with free tickets to all performances 650 SEK. Book here.
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Stockholm International Poetry Festival
The single most-recognized poetry festival in Scandinavia takes place in Stockholm this December! The festival is hosted at the Royal Dramatic Theatre and the Stockholm City Theatre, and poets from Sweden, the USA, and Korea are participating.
When: December 2nd to December 4th, various events
Where: Various theatres, see program
Cost: Adults 250, students and under 26 years 150 SEK.
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TEDxStockholm Salon Event – Embracing Failure
Get a taste of ideas worth spreading at the fourth TEDxStockholm salon, with the theme “embracing failure”. Let’s embrace failure and listen to the dos and don’ts generously shared by the people who have failed – small or big time.
When: December 12, 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Where: Greve Turegatan 30
Cost: Standard ticket 175 SEK, student ticket 125 SEK
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Stockholm Hundmässa Dog Show
Even Fido loves December in Stockholm! The Stockholm Hundmässa is an FCI international dog show, and one of the largest in Scandinavia. Come meet a plethora of precious pups, enter your own best friend in a competition, or just look for Spot’s Christmas present.
When: December 7 – 8, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Where: Stockholmsmässan in Älvsjö
Cost: Adults 150 SEK, children 7 to 15 years 120 SEK, Family of four 400 SEK, children under 6 free. Buy tickets on location.
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Yelp Christmas Party
You have tobe a member of Yelp or Meetup.com to do this one – but you should be anyway! Announcing the first and official Yelp.se Christmas Networking Cocktail Soiree. (Long name, amazing results?) Basically it’s an excuse to dress up glamorously, go out and meet people, and get into posh club Collage for free. So go!
When: December 7, 9:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. (club open until 3:00 a.m.)
Where: Collage, Stockholm
Cost: Free, but you must RSVP here.
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Stockholm Expat Meetup Christmas Party
On the other hand, you could go to the massive annual Expat Christmas Party! Always a pleaser, the event is unfortunately scheduled for the same night as the Yelp event, but it starts ealier – so you could even do both. Some 100 friendly expats and Swedes alike will be partying it up!
When: December 7, 7:00 p.m.
Where: Venue to be announced, keep watching MeetUp event
Cost: To be announced (depends on venue)
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Also check out YLC’s December Concert Guide!
For more info about what’s on in Stockholm, follow Your Living City on Twitter or subscribe to our newsletter here!
Solveig Rundquist
Solveig is a recently-graduated American cactus who plucked up her ancient Scandinavian roots and transplanted them back to snowy Stockholm soil. When not writing for YLC she can be found cantering about town in search of culture, cheer and a career.
Follow Solveig on Twitter!
