Sweden’s biggest Christmas market at Liseberg

With half a million yearly visits, Liseberg Amusement Park is Sweden’s most popular Christmas market. No wonder. It is a truly magical place for all ages, especially during the coldest months when the entire park is transformed in to a beautiful winter wonderland. Here, you can dine at the high quality restaurants, meet with Santa and go on the winter-open carousels. It opens on 16 November and runs until 29 December.

Christmas market at Liseberg in Gothenburg.
Try ice skating, dwell in seasonal gifts and goodies and visit Santa’s Village at Liseberg’s Christmas market. Credit: Happy Visuals/Göteborg & Co

Don’t miss visiting the area “Tomtebyn” (Santa’s Village). The Christmas elves welcome you to the happiest village you can imagine, with lots of fun things to discover: magical doors, mischievous rhymes, jingling bells and the elves’ workshop. This year, the children’s area Kaninlandet, along with the ice skating rink and the arcade hall, will remain open throughout the Christmas holidays, from 30 December to 5 January 2025. 

Christmas market in the amusement park
Christmas at Liseberg Park

Liseberg amusement park
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Fish and shellfish is extra tasty in Gothenburg, like here at Sjömagasinet’s Christmas buffet. Credit: Frida Winter

Try the Swedish Christmas buffet – “julbord”

Swedish Christmas food is tasty, hearty and easy to love. Sweden is a large country and there are many local varieties. The number one reason to enjoy a Christmas dinner in the Gothenburg Region is the fresh fish and shellfish. In addition to gravad lax (cured salmon) and pickled herring you will find fresh crayfish, shrimp and other Gothenburg specialities.

Christmas buffets in Gothenburg

The restaurants of Gothenburg are getting ready for Christmas with all the flavours and dishes you know and love. Here are some of the many Christmas buffets in Gothenburg.

Two grown ups and a child enjoying christmas shopping.
In Gothenburg you’ll find cosy streets that are perfect for Christmas shopping. Credit: Happy Visuals

Go Christmas shopping

Gothenburg is a handy metropolis, and if you want to go Christmas shopping you have loads to choose from within walking distance. The Haga district is filled with little shops selling presents, chocolate, toys, hats and other charming things. In and around the street Magasinsgatan you will find the latest within fashion and interior design, while the city centre and the main boulevard Avenyn house many famous brands, flagship stores and arcades. There is also a wide range of secondhand, vintage and sustainable brands – check them out in our guide to conscious Christmas shopping!

Conscious Christmas Shopping

Do you want to make the act of buying Christmas presents a good deed, and at the same time bring joy to both the receiver and the planet? Then this guide is for you!

The neighbourhood Haga in Gothenburg.
Haga – cosy cafés and unique shops

Haga is one of the oldest neighbourhoods in Gothenburg. The pedestrian street Haga Nygata is lined with well-preserved houses, many in the characteristic Gothenburg style called “landshövdingehus” with one floor in brick and the rest in wood. Today they house plenty of independent shops and cafés.

Magasinsgatan – stylish shopping and cosy courtyards

Magasinsgatan is a given destination for shopping and coffee as well as eating out or grabbing a drink when the evening comes. Trendy shops, restaurants and bars all offer something special, no matter if it comes to barista skills, local clothing brands or restaurant decor.

The city centre – charming shopping streets with plenty of “Swedish fika”

It’s easy to explore central Gothenburg on foot and there are plenty of fun to see and do. From the large market hall and shopping streets Kungsgatan, Vallgatan and Södra Larmgatan to cafés and sights. Many hotels are located here too, which makes it easy to stay right in the centre of things.

At Gothenburg’s Christmas markets you’ll find everything from honey and socks to modern design items. Credit: Happy Visuals/Göteborg & Co

Lots of Christmas markets

A good way to get into the right seasonal spirit is to visit a cosy Christmas market in Gothenburg and the beautiful surrounding region. Visit one of the region’s traditional craft markets at castles and manors, experience winter in the archipelago and find everything for the season. Among the wide selection, you will undoubtedly find a market that suits you and your company, whether you are looking for traditional craftsmanship, unique design, or delicacies for the Christmas table. The Christmas market at Gustaf Adolfs Torg, the Ostindiefararen and a vegan Christmas market at Kungstorget are some of the new markets of this year.

Christmas markets in the Gothenburg region

Mulled wine, roasted chestnuts and Christmas trees. We love Christmas markets, and in Gothenburg there are many to choose from. Here are some of our favourites, from cosy Haga to majestic Tjolöholm Castle.

Lucia celebration in Gothenburg.
Credit: Peter Kvarnström/Göteborg & Co

“Luciatåg” – Saint Lucy celebrations

On December 13, Swedish people dress up in white and head out early in the morning to celebrate Saint Lucia of Syracuse (also known as Saint Lucy). During the celebration, there is always one girl dressed in a white dress with a wreath of candles on her head. This is Lucia herself. The celebrations take place in churches, homes and workplaces and are extremely popular thanks to the beautiful songs and atmosphere.

Christmas concerts and Lucia celebrations in Gothenburg

In November and December, the city is filled with magical Christmas shows and concerts. Whether you’re looking for a more traditional one, such as a Lucia celebration, or want to see some of Sweden’s biggest artists performing Christmas songs, Gothenburg has got you covered.

Discover Klippan in December

Klippan’s cultural reserve by the Älvsborg Bridge offers an exciting mix of artistic and creative activities, beautifully in December, combined with hotels, restaurants, and cafés right by the water.

Unique experiences in Klippan
Discover Klippan in December

Klippan Cultural Reserve
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Credit: Marcus Helmer Gustafsson/westsweden.com

Visit castles and manors during the Christmas season

Around Gothenburg, there are several castles and manors perfect for a day trip.. Just a short ride from the city centre is Gunnebo House and Garden, which has a cosy café with an organic and locally sourced menu. Heading south, you’ll come across Tjolöholm Slott with nearly 30 buildings, several beautiful gardens, and extensive natural surroundings. In Lerum, there’s Nääs Slott, which boasts Sweden’s best-preserved late 19th-century environment. All three castles host atmospheric and traditional Christmas events in November and December.

18th century estate

Gunnebo House and Gardens

Tudor-inspired castle

Tjolöholms slott

Castle

Nääs Slott
Ett stort rött upplyst hjärta står vid Lejontrappan mitt i Göteborg.
The red heart at Brunnsparken shines bright throughout the Christmas season.

A bright and friendly Christmas

The big red heart at the square Brunnsparken is a recurring winter favourite, and a very popular Instagram and TikTok-spot with the inner harbour canal that makes a beautiful background.

The Christmas rosette at Clarion Post Hotel in Gothenburg.
Credit: Peter Kvarnström/Göteborg & Co

Also in November, the Clarion Hotel Post at the square Drottningtorget will traditionally light up the Christmas bow that adorns the hotel during the holiday season.

Spend the Christmas school break in Gothenburg

There are many fun and exciting activities to enjoy in Gothenburg during the Christmas season! In our Christmas school break guide, we gather some of our best tips for the whole family; Christmas at Liseberg, holiday activities at the city’s museums, ice skating, sledding and much more.

Christmas break in Gothenburg

There are many fun and exciting activities in Gothenburg during the Christmas holidays! We have put together some of our best tips for the whole family – welcome to Christmas break in Gothenburg!