Christmas at Skansen 2024

We’ve gathered all our Christmas activities in one place to help you make the most of your visit. On this page, you’ll find a complete overview of everything we offer during the holiday season.

Plan your visit by exploring the different activities along with details on dates, locations and, if not applicable during the whole day, times.

• Christmas market
• Historical celebrations and activities
• Music and dance
• Lucia celebrations
• Fun for kids
• Christmas Eve
• New Year’s Eve
• FAQ

Christmas market

Friday–Sunday, November 29–December 22 

Experience our beloved and historical Christmas market, dating back to 1903. Buy everything from handicrafts and design to sweets, home-made candles and secret Christmas gifts.
More information

Historical celebrations and activities

Stroll through our historical environments and discover how Christmas and holiday feasts were celebrated in times gone by. Our museum educators will guide you through decorated Christmas trees, set feast tables, traditional holiday baking, and many other beloved Swedish Christmas traditions. All the dishes you see have been prepared right here at Skansen.

Houses and farmsteads

Nov 29–Jan 6, 2025

• The Printer’s Home, 1840s
• Delsbo farmstead, 1850s
• Oktorp farmstead, 1870s
• The Post office, 1910s
• Väla school, 1918
• The Farm Labourer’s Cottage, 1920s
• The Ironmonger’s apartment, 1930s
• The Ironware store, 1930s
• Co-op store, 1930s

Christmas tales and folk songs

Back Mats Cottage
Christmas market days

Welcome to have a seat by the fire. Here, both young and old are invited on a journey back in time – listen to enchanting stories and legends about winter and Christmas. On December 13, 21 and 22 you are welcome to join us in folk singing!

Try candle making

Bredablick tower, 1st floor
Christmas market days

Learn about the tradition of candle making, and give it a try yourself! On site you can also purchase our hand made candles.

Workshops and crafts

Meet skilled artisans who bring history to life by demonstrating traditional crafts. Discover the tools, techniques, and materials used throughout the ages. What was created here, and who were the people behind the craft? Explore our calendar to find out which workshops are open today.

Music and dance

Music, song, and dance are an essential part of Christmas – especially at Skansen! We offer a wide range of performances and musical styles and that will get you in the holiday spirit.

Carolas Jul på Skansen

Solliden stage
December 5, 6, 8, 14 and 15

Carola is one of Sweden’s most beloved artists and this Christmas she takes the renowned Solliden stage to perform both classic Swedish songs and her own Christmas music. Purchase your tickets at carola.com

Christmas concerts

Seglora Church
13.00 and 14.30, Sat–Sun during Christmas market days

Enjoy enchanting concerts filled with music that captures the spirit of the season, all in a peaceful and atmospheric environment.

Folk music with the Skansen Folk musicians

Bergsman Farmstead
Christmas market days, 10.30–16.00

Älvros Farmstead
December 26 and January 1, 5 and 6, 12.00–14.30

Folk music has deep roots in Sweden, and at Skansen, it’s an integral part of our heritage. During the Christmas season, you can enjoy performances by the Skansen Folk Musicians at several locations across the park.

Christmas carols

The Mission house
Sat–Sun during Christmas market days, 12.00 and 14.00

Sing along or simply enjoy listening to classic Christmas carols.

Christmas Day concert

Seglora Church
December 25, 14.00

Join us on Christmas Day  for a beautiful concert in the atmospheric Seglora Church.

End of Christmas celebrations

Bollnäs square
January 6, 12.30 and 14.15 (40 min)

Gather around the Christmas tree for a joyful celebration of Epiphany on January 6th! Enjoy lively music and traditional dancing led by Skansen’s folk dancers and musicians, as we continue the festive spirit together.

Lucia celebrations

Lucia is celebrated every year on December 13 and is one of the brightest moments of winter and an essential part of Swedish Christmas traditions. Discover the history behind this beloved holiday and enjoy traditional Lucia procession concerts. Skansen hosted its first Lucia procession as early as 1893.

Lucia – a Swedish tradition

Bollnäs cottage
December 13, 10.00–15.00

Discover the fascinating history of Lucia and how this cherished tradition became an integral part of Swedish Christmas celebrations.
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Lucia concerts

Seglora Church
December 13–15, 11.00, 13.00 and 14.30

Enjoy a traditional Lucia concert, performed by students from Stockholm’s Music High School and the Stockholm University Choir.
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1920s Lucia celebration

The Temperance hall (Ordenshuset)
December 14–15, 11.30, 13.30 and 15.00

Experience what a Lucia celebration in the 1920s could look and sound like. Performed by children from the Spektrum Choir.
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Children’s Lucia Choir

Lill-Skansen (Children’s zoo)
December 14–15, 12.30

Experience the enchanting voices of the Children’s Lucia Choir as they begin their performance at the Children’s Zoo stage and continue singing throughout the park.
Read more

Fun for kids

Of course we have festive fun for the youngest members of the family! Here are some of our Christmas-themes activities for the little ones.

Christmas crafts and decorations

The Brage hall
Christmas market days

Create fantastic crafts and decorations out of recycled materials! Children of all ages are welcome to let their creativity flow.

Christmas calendar

Lill-Skansen (Children’s zoo)
Daily December 1–24, 12.30

Learn exciting facts about nature or meet an animal that live at the Children’s zoo (Lill-Skansen).

Meet Santa Claus

At Högloftet
Christmas market days, 11.00–13.00 and 14.00–16.00

Visit Santa in his very own creative studio! Take the opportunity to ask about what it’s like to work as Santa and listen to him share amusing stories about Santa through the ages.

Galejan fairground

Sat–Sun during Christmas market days

Here you will find nice old-fashioned carousels, lotteries and fun things to both do and watch.

Animals in the zoo

Every day, you have the chance to meet our animal keepers and learn more about the animals and how they adapt to winter, check the calendar for times. At the Baltic Sea Science Center, discover fascinating facts about the inhabitants of the Baltic Sea.