A very Swedish Christmas – Christmas traditions in West Sweden
Christmas in Sweden is all about light, warmth and spending time together. As December brings short days and long, dark evenings, towns and homes glow with candles, Advent stars and Christmas lights.
Discover Swedish Christmas traditions in West Sweden and Gothenburg
Visit West Sweden and Gothenburg during the festive season and experience traditional Christmas markets, Lucia celebrations, cosy cafés and beautifully decorated towns – preferably with a warming cup of glögg in hand.
Photographer: Turistrådet Västsverige
Advent – when Christmas begins
For many Swedes, the festive season starts on the first Sunday of Advent. Electric candleholders and illuminated paper stars appear in windows, while four-candle Advent decorations count down the Sundays until Christmas.
It's also the season for pepparkakor (gingerbread biscuits), saffron buns and glögg – Swedish mulled wine served warm with raisins and almonds.
Photographer: Marcus Helmer Gustafsson
Lucia – a celebration of light
One of Sweden's most atmospheric Christmas traditions takes place on 13 December. Saint Lucia's Day is celebrated with candlelit processions and choirs dressed in white, singing traditional Lucia and Christmas songs.
Lucia concerts are held in churches, schools and other venues across West Sweden and offer visitors a memorable glimpse of Swedish Christmas culture.
Lucia concerts in West Sweden & Gothenburg 2026:
- Lucia parade and choral singing on Avenyn, December 13
- St. Lucia concerts at Carl Johans kyrka, December 12
- St. Lucia and Christmas concert at Oscar Fredriks kyrka, December 12
Photographer: Birk Öhrlund
Christmas window displays in Sweden
There's something particularly charming about Christmas in Sweden's smaller towns. In the weeks before Christmas, local shops decorate their windows, streets sparkle with lights and town centres fill with people doing their Christmas shopping, enjoying a fika or visiting a Christmas market.
The tradition of julskyltning – festive Christmas window displays – is still part of the build-up to Christmas in many Swedish towns. For international visitors, it's a lovely opportunity to experience a quieter and more local side of the Swedish festive season.
Head to Hjo, where the Christmas window displays are traditionally unveiled during the town's Christmas market, or visit Alingsås, with its cobbled streets, cafés, festive shop windows and Christmas events. Both towns are easy to explore on foot and combine Christmas shopping with that quintessentially Swedish tradition: fika.
Photographer: Elin Kero
Christmas markets in West Sweden
Christmas markets are another highlight of the Swedish festive season. Browse stalls filled with local food, crafts and Christmas gifts, warm up with glögg and enjoy the scent of gingerbread and fir trees.
You'll find Christmas markets across West Sweden, from Gothenburg and the archipelago to historic estates and charming small towns. Many take place during Advent, making them ideal for a winter weekend away.
Julbord – the Swedish Christmas buffet
Food plays a central role in a Swedish Christmas. The traditional julbord is a generous buffet served in restaurants and homes throughout December.
Expect classics such as pickled herring, salmon, Christmas ham, meatballs, sausages, cheeses and plenty of sweet treats. Many hotels, manor houses and restaurants in West Sweden serve their own version of the julbord, often with local and seasonal ingredients.
Christmas Eve – the big day in Sweden
Unlike in the UK and many other countries, Swedes celebrate Christmas mainly on 24 December. Families gather for a julbord, exchange presents and spend the day together.
And yes, there's one rather unexpected national tradition: at 3 pm, millions of Swedes settle down to watch the same Disney Christmas television special that has been broadcast every Christmas Eve since 1960.
Then it's time for jultomten – the Swedish Father Christmas – to arrive with the presents.
Experience Christmas in West Sweden
Twinkling lights, traditional Christmas markets, candlelit Lucia concerts, festive fika and Swedish Christmas food make December a wonderful time to discover West Sweden.
Wrap up warm, explore a small town dressed for Christmas and experience the festive season the Swedish way.
GOD JUL & GOTT NYTT ÅR