Every year the City of Christmas in Sweden, Gothenburg, starts the celebrations in mid-November. The popular Christmas markets are accompanied by other special events such as the Lucia Concerts, the choral carols of the famous den sjungande julgranen, a living Christmas “tree” made up of local singers, or the millions of lights that decorate the city to give it a beautiful atmosphere that becomes even more magical snow should it snow.
A couple of years ago we were visited the city in December and really enjoyed it. We will be back for sure! In this article I will tell you about the best Christmas markets to visit in Gothenburg.
In Brunnsparken in Gothenburg in December
Photo: Israel Úbeda / sweetsweden.com
Christmas Market at Liseberg
Ranking first is the Christmas Market at Liseberg which is undoubtedly the king of Christmas markets in Gothenburg and around Sweden. Perhaps with the only competitor being the Christmas market at Taxinge Castle near Stockholm.
Liseberg at Christmas in Gothenburg
Photo: Israel Úbeda / sweetsweden.com
Sweden’s best Christmas market is precisely located in the largest amusement park in Scandinavia. That results in tourists and visitors being able to enjoy an atmosphere lit up by millions of Christmas lights and stands full of little things to buy or taste while another part of the family is spending their holidays riding the attractions, carousels and roller coasters open in winter. There is even a part of the park, Kaninlandet, specially dedicated to kids. So don’t be scared to bring yours here.
We, In Liseberg for Christmas
Photo: Israel Úbeda / sweetsweden.com
In fact, inside Liseberg, different Christmas markets meet in the same space:
- the normal market
- the gammaldags julmarknad, an old-fashioned market
- the Designmarknad, a design market in the upper part of the park where the access to the giant ferris wheel is also located
Designmarknad, a Design Market in Liseberg, Gothenburg
Photo: Israel Úbeda / sweetsweden.com
- the medieval town market with stands where you can buy gifts from that time
Medieval Market in Liseberg
Photo: Liseberg
As if this were not enough, the entry ticket allows you to watch a theater play on skates on the ice rink of Liseberg.
If you dare you can also enjoy the Christmas buffet in one of its four restaurants. We tried Stjärnornas Krog classic buffet last year and enjoyed it very much including the so-called gottebord, a table with a lot of desserts, and Swedish glögg, the local mulled wine.
Julbord in Stjärnornas Krog, Gothenburg
Photo: Israel Úbeda / sweetsweden.com
Julbord Desserts in Stjärnonars Krog, Gothenburg
Photo: Israel Úbeda / sweetsweden.com
In the Hamnkrog restaurant the julbord is based on seafood. The Green Room restaurant serves a vegetarian version and in Hotell Liseberg Heden Restaurang you can enjoy a traditional buffet.
Oh, a preferred way to get to the amusement park that we really loved is by going around the city channels aboard a big flat boat called julpaddan. The can be purchased separately here.
Sometimes both the entrance to Liseberg and the julpaddan are included in the city’s tourist card. You can check the attractions included this year here.
Julpaddan Arriving In Liseberg
Photo: stromma.se
If you visit Liseberg you will spend a lot of time outside so it is highly recommended to dress in warm clothes. In spite of that, as Swedes are very farsighted, they have a kind of electric brazier available for you to get warm every now and then. Use them!
In 2022 the Liseberg Christmas market is open from November 19 until the end of December but not every day. Check the exact dates here.
Warming Our Hands in Liseberg
Photo: Israel Úbeda / sweetsweden.com
The Traditional Kronhuset Christmas Market
This traditional market called Kronhusjul is the oldest of those held in Gothenburg. The location, Kronhuset or The Crown House, is the oldest building in Gothenburg. In 2018, more than 50,000 people visited this market.
Kronhuset in Gothenburg
Photo: Israel Úbeda / sweetsweden.com
This place, a former warehouse for military equipment in Dutch-style from the mid-17th century, was made entirely of wood except for the ceiling and walls. The building is located behind Gustav Adolf Square on Kronhusgatan Street, just a five-minute walk from the city center.
Kronhuset at Christmas
Photo: Israel Úbeda / sweetsweden.com
The market takes place inside and outside the Kronhuset and also the Kronhusbodarna, a group of cabins surrounding it.
Interior of Kronhuset Christmas Market, Gothenburg
Photo: Israel Úbeda / sweetsweden.com
You will find crafts, design objects, ceramics and chocolates from a nearby chocolate factory among many other things.
Chocolate Factory in Kronhusbodarna, Gothenburg
Photo: Israel Úbeda / sweetsweden.com
The Haga Christmas Market
Walking along the neighborhood of Haga is one of my ten recommended things to do in Gothenburg at Christmas. This year you can enjoy the julmarknad i Haga or Haga Christmas Market on weekends from November 27 to December 19.
Detail of a Sleigh and a Fir in Haga, Gothenburg
Photo: jul i Haga / facebook
In Haga’s Christmas Market you will find stands with Swedish Christmas sweets and other delicatessen, crafts and design and everything related to this season of year. It is located on the main street in this neighborhood, Haga Nygata, and the schedule is Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
My wife at Haga Nygatan in December
Photo: Israel Úbeda / sweetsweden.com
If you fancy a fika remember that in this street you can taste the famous hagabullen, a giant cinnamon roll available at Café Husaren. Although you can also try many different types of fikabröd at outdoor stands.
Kanelbullar in Haga Neighborhood, Gothenburg
Photo: Israel Úbeda / sweetsweden.com
The Röda Sten Christmas Market
Röda Sten is an art gallery and design center located next to the Älvsborgsbron bridge. It is accessible with trams 3 or 9 and Vagnhallen Majorna stop from where you need to walk for about 10 minutes.
Röda Sten art gallery in Gothenburg
Photo: Israel Úbeda / sweetsweden.com
Being an art gallery in this market you will find innovative art objects by local designers.
Röda Sten Christmas Market
Photo: gbg & co
The à la London Design Market
Do you know what is one of the slang names for Gothenburg? Lilla London or Little London. It is not surprising, therefore, that there are several references to this name in the city. One of them is the market for design objects «à la London». Inside you will find fashion, accessories, art and interior decoration objects.
à la London is One of the Christmas Design Markets in Gothenburg
Photo: à la London / facebook
For three days «à la London» presents a design market in which 80 local designers – half new and half repeating from previous years – offer their inspiring products. This market is a unique occasion for those looking for something unique to take back home and bought directly from the creators. They also offer workshops, afterwork and trendspotting with the start of the “à la Londons Design Talks”.
Local Designers Offer Their Products at à la London in Gothenburg
Photo: à la london / facebook
The market is held from November 18-20 on Tredje Långgatan Street inside the Auktionsverket Kulturarena building. Admission costs SEK 60 (5.5 € / $5.50 / £4.9).
Other Popular Markets in Gothenburg
Otros popular markets in the city are:
- the Christmas Market at Gustav Adolf Square
- the Christmas Market at Nordstan Shopping Mall from December 1-23
Markets on the Outskirts of Gothenburg
If you want to go and have a look at the archipelago in winter you can visit the Hönö Klåva market on the island of Hönö. You can get to Hönö by boat aboard the M / S Kungsö from the Stenpiren pier in the center of Gothenburg.
If you are looking for Christmas markets inside castles, you have one at Tjöloholm Castle and at Gunnebo Slott. Another special market is held at Nääs Fabriker. You will need to rent a car to reach these markets or depart on special bus tours prepared for tourists.
Now you know which are the best markets in Gothenburg at Christmas. Check the dates for your visit and do not miss them!
