Student blogs

I previously wrote a post about my favorites parts of summer, so it only felt right to make one about winter (specifically the December (Jul = Christmas in Swedish) period). Why so specific? Well when December arrives and the days become shorter and the temperature colder, Stockholm lights up (both literally and figuratively speaking). Christmas lights go up and different traditions are celebrated, giving life to an otherwise dark and gloomy time in Sweden. Here are my favourite parts of the December Christmas period in Stockholm!

Attending a Julbord

Julbord, which literally translates to ‘Christmas table,’ is an event with traditional Swedish Christmas food.  One of my Swedish friends invited me to their Julbord this year and it was so fun to try out all the traditional Swedish Christmas food! (There was a lot of salmon and a lot of different types of pickled herring– I had no idea there could be so many variations).

Seeing the Nobel lights

During the Nobel Week, when the Nobel prizes are given out, the Nobel lights appear through Stockholm. It is an exhibition of light artwork created by many artists displayed throughout the heart of the city. It’s free and such a cool experience to see all the different light shows. Since arriving in Stockholm, I’ve gone every year! 

Going to Christmas markets

Located in Gamla stan, and also outside Stockholm, are Christmas markets. It’s super fun to go with friends, look at the Christmas trinkets being sold and get some glögg. Everything is super pricey, but a little bit of window shopping never hurt anyone.

Seeing Santa Lucia

Santa Lucia is a Swedish tradition that celebrates light. It is a candle-lit procession where the ‘Santa Lucia’, walks down the Church with a crown composed of candles, along with a group of people carrying candles, and singing traditional Lucia songs. Last year, me and my friends went to Uppsala to the Cathedral to see it, and it was lovely! 

Although the December period can be particularly dark and depressing, the prospect of Christmas, or Jul, makes Stockholm full of wonder and light 🙂 While nothing can beat Christmas spent at home, the Swedish December Jul period is definitely a close second. Make sure to not miss out on these events during your first Swedish December!