During December, the towns and cities across Skåne come alive with sparkling lights, cosy cafés and traditional celebrations that make the dark winter days feel bright and joyful. Here are some wonderful things to do during the holiday season.
Julmarknad at Fredriksdal – Helsingborg
Fredriksdal’s Christmas market is a perfect place to start your holiday adventure. Walking through the open-air museum feels like stepping back in time. Small red houses, snowy paths and the smell of warm drinks create a cosy, old-fashioned atmosphere. You can meet local farmers, look at handmade crafts, and try traditional treats. Children especially love seeing the farm animals which brings an extra touch of charm to the market.
Julbord at Sofiero Castle – Helsingborg
No Swedish Christmas is complete without a julbord, the traditional holiday buffet. At Sofiero Castle, the julbord is served in an elegant setting with views of the beautiful castle gardens. The buffet includes all the familiar Christmas dishes such as herring, salmon, ham, meatballs and sausages.
But one highlight that makes the Skåne julbord special is brunkål, a sweet and savoury brown cabbage dish that is loved across the region. It is cooked slowly with syrup and spices until it becomes soft and full of flavour. Many locals say it is not a real Skåne Christmas without it.
Enjoying a plate of warm brunkål together with the other traditional dishes makes the Sofiero julbord a true taste of Skåne’s Christmas food culture.
Grantändning at Stortorget – Lund
Every year, people gather at Stortorget in Lund to watch the official Christmas tree lighting, known as grantändning. The square becomes full of warm lights, music and happy crowds. The giant Christmas tree stands proudly in the centre, decorated with hundreds of shining ornaments. This event brings the whole community together and marks the start of the festive season in a truly beautiful way.
Eat a Lussebulle at Broder Jacobs – Lund
In December, you will see saffron everywhere. The most beloved saffron treat is the lussebulle. Broder Jacobs in Lund is a great bakery to enjoy one. The smell of fresh saffron buns, combined with a warm coffee, is the perfect Christmas break during a cold winter day. It’s a simple but wonderful Swedish tradition.
Julmarknad in Malmö
Malmö offer several Christmas Markets, each with its own style. Walking through Malmö’s snowy streets, looking at lights and decorations and visiting these markets is one of the best ways to feel the Christmas spirit. Some of the best markets to visit are:
- Julmarknad på Gustav Adolfs Torg
- Julmarknad på Katrinetorp Landeri
- Julmarknad på Malmöhus Slott
- Julmarknad på Mitt Möllan
Buy Christmas Tea at Tehuset Java – Malmö
If you want to bring a piece of Swedish Christmas home, stop by Tehuset Java. They offer a wide selection of Christmas teas, gift boxes and seasonal flavours. Their Advent tea calendar is especially popular and makes a wonderful present. The warm spices and sweet scents are perfect for cosy evenings during December.
Watch a Luciatåg
Another beautiful tradition you can enjoy in Skåne during December is watching a Luciatåg in a church. On the morning of the 13th of December, churches all over the region fill with soft candlelight and music as Lucia and her procession walk down the aisle.
The singers, dressed in white, perform traditional Lucia songs that create a calm and magical atmosphere. Lucia herself wears a wreath of candles on her head, and the whole ceremony feels peaceful and comforting during the dark winter days. Whether you go to a large church in Malmö or a small village church in the countryside, the Lucia celebration is a very special experience and an important part of Swedish Christmas culture.
