Swedish Christmas Traditions

Wondering how Christmas is celebrated in Sweden?  Here’s a guide to the highlights of the holiday season, including what to eat, what to do and what to listen to. Enjoy!

What to eat

As a video is worth a 10 000 words, here is a great video explainer of “Julbord”, the traditional Swedish Christmas food. The video is filmed at Gamla Riksarkivet, which in our view is the best Julbord in Stockholm. This is also one of the very few restaurants in Stockholm that are actually open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Most finish serving Julbord around the 23^rd December and are closed on the 24th December, which is the main day for celebrating Christmas in Sweden.

For more restaurant tips, including booking details for Gamla Riksarkivet, here is the Restaurants Guide to the Best Julbord in Stockholm.

https://www.krogguiden.se/topplistor/view/arets-basta-julbord-stockholm

If you like to combine entertainment with your food, the following guide gives useful tips for a wide variety of Julbord, including boats, stand-up comedy and theatre.

Stockholm
https://julbordsguiden.se/julbord-i-stockholm

Gothenburg
https://julbordsguiden.se/julbord-i-g%C3%B6teborg

Malmö
https://julbordsguiden.se/julbord-i-malm%C3%B6

Outside of Sweden and want to create your own Julbord?
See https://www.thelocal.se/20211221/how-to-make-your-own-julbord-if-you-live-outside-sweden

What to do

For a full guide to Swedish Christmas rituals, Sweden.se, Sweden’s official website has a handy guide.

What to listen to

Get into the holiday spirit with a collection of Swedish Christmas songs

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy 2026!

 Image: Carolina Romare/imagebank.sweden.se

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