Gothenburg: Christmas City 2021
Gothenburg goes ´all-in´ for Christmas this year with something for everyone to get in the Christmas spirit. Enjoy Sweden’s biggest Christmas market at Liseberg, Christmas dining with a troubadour in the archipelago or listen to the most popular and traditional Christmas songs at one of the free concerts in the city.
Celebrate Christmas in Gothenburg!
This year the City of Gothenburg offers 100 Christmas events, including 20 Christmas markets, 42 Christmas concerts and several new items: a new skating rink in Kronhusparken, live music on the new stage at Kungstorget and a 360-degree film experience about Gothenburg's 400-year history in Bältespännarparken. Last year´s favourite, Christmas carols from the moat is back and there will be a Christmas concert at Pustervik with the Augusti family and guests.
Photo: Christmas at Liseberg, Credit: Liseberg/Götebrog & Co
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Christmas at Liseberg, Sweden’s largest Christmas amusement park
- A mix of different Christmas events and concerts.
- Lucia celebrations and concerts.
- Several Christmas buffets and dinners with both traditional and contemporary dishes.
- A unique 360-degrees movie experience.
Christmas at Liseberg - 19 November-30 December
Opening on Nov 19th, this marks the start of the 18th Gothenburg Christmas City celebration. Christmas at Liseberg is the biggest Christmas market in Sweden with approximately 500 000 visitors. Here you can experience a Christmas market filled with the glow from the million Christmas lights placed all over the park. Enjoy the Christmas fairytale visiting Christmas market stalls, marvel at the carousels, visit Rabbit Land and give your wish list to Santa Claus. Click here for more information and to book tickets.
New additions for Gothenburg Christmas 2021:
NEW Urban Run Christmas - 5 December
Discover the Christmas spirit around the inner city of Gothenburg by running. Put on your running shoes and enjoy the beautiful views of Gothenburg in all its Christmas splendour along decorated alleys, past pretty cafés and different vantage points. Register fee of 395 kr, learn more and register here.
NEW - A 360-degree movie experience in Bältesspännarparken - 3-19 December 1700-2130 hrs, free enrty
A historical circular cinema experience. As a part of the 400th anniversary of Gothenburg, there will be a historical 360 degrees movie experience on Bältesspännar Park. This is a unique experience with a focus on the history of Gothenburg where you experience the sensation of being inside the movie. This event will be open to everyone and will be free of charge (Screenings may be cancelled in the event of bad weather).
A circular 8 metre high, 30 metre diameter film screen will be set up in the park where viewers can step straight into Gothenburg's 400-year history in a 360-degree film experience. The film is 12 minutes long and is part of Gothenburg's 400th anniversary.
- “We have a big festival celebrating Gothenburg's 400th anniversary ahead of us in 2023, but when 2021 comes to an end, it feels great to round off the official birthday year and at the same time look ahead with this very special film experience of Gothenburg's history”, says Mia Samuelsson, Anniversary Artistic Director at Gothenburg & Co.
NEW - Skating rink at Kronhuset - 27 November – 19 December
The ancient quarter “Kronhusbodarna” is in the inner city of Gothenburg and has some of the oldest buildings in the city. Here you can visit different boutiques in the old stores and admire the architecture of Kronhuset that was built in the 1600s. From the 27th of November, Kronhusparken will open their new addition: An Ice-skating rink. The rink will be open to enjoy every day between 11 am to 6 pm. Entry is free to go and there are also skates and helmets available to borrow. Children must be supervised by their parents.
Christmas songs from the moat - 28 November – 19 December- Wed and Fri 18:00-19:30, weekends 16:00-17:00
Listen to and enjoy a Christmas choir from the moat. Onboard the classic “Paddan” boats a choir will be spreading Christmas cheer by singing the most traditional and most popular Christmas songs. This event requires no booking and will be free of charge. The boat will follow this route: Kungsportsbron–Stora Nygatan–Lejontrappan–Kämpebron.
NEW Christmas songs at Kungstorget – 15-19 Dec
In mid-December, Kungstorget in central Gothenburg will have its own Christmas stage where choirs, debutants and established artists will be performing.
- “I would like to recommend the Christmas stage on Kungstorget 15-19 December. Performing, among others, will be The Heirs, Malena Ernman, Mari Boine, Maja Francis and Adolphson & Falk. It is of course free and open to everyone. Then I think that the skating rink in Kronhusparken will be a cosy affair with a lot of Christmas atmosphere”, says Jennie Heidenfors, Events Manager at Gothenburg & Co.
December 15-19. The program runs from 16.15–20.00 hrs every day. The afternoons begin with a solo artist, duo or trio, followed by choir singing before the last act begins. It is free of charge and no pre-booking is required.
Christmas concert at Pustervik with Augustifamiljen - 16 December 19:00
Get into the Christmas spirit with Augustifamiljen, Bo Sundström, Mia Skäringer and more! All revenue will be donated to the City Mission.
On December 16, you can enjoy an amazing Christmas concert at Pustervik in support of the City Mission. On stage you’ll find artists like Augustifamiljen, Bo Sundström and Mia Skäringer; and the concert will also be broadcast on gp.se on December 21.
Tickets for the Christmas concert are 100 SEK and all revenue goes to the important work done by the charity Stadsmissionen. When the concert is broadcast on gp.se, there will also be an opportunity for donations. The event is a co-production by Göteborg & Co, Göteborgs-Posten and the City Mission.
Popular Christmas markets in and around Gothenburg:
Tjolöholm Castle Christmas market - At weekends only during 12- 28 November. The Christmas market at Tjolöholms castle 1 hour south of Gothenburg has become a tradition for many, the first market opened in 1987. Meet craftsmen and artisan food creators and marvel at their handmade products. For those who want to leave their Christmas list, you can visit Santa Claus as well. Read more about the market here. The castle also arranges Christmas dinners, which you can read about here.
Haga Christmas market- Starts on 25 November, and every weekend until the 19th December.
The Christmas market in Haga is one of the most popular in the city of Gothenburg. This year it’s aiming to be extra Christmasy with decorations and unique products. The market offers different delicacies, sweets, music, and activities for the children. Read more about it here.
Nordstan: Christmas Market with a craft fair - 1–23 December.During December you can experience many activities in Nordstan. All the boutiques are filled with Christmas presents and at the Christmas market, you can visit all the different stalls. There will also be a craft fair and several performances where you can listen to Christmas and classic St. Lucia songs. And of course, Santa Claus will be there to visit all the children. Read more about the different events in Nordstan here.
Gunnebo slott och trädgårdar julmarknad - Gunnebo Castle and gardens - 20-21 & 27-28 November, open 1100-1600 hrs. Enjoy the Christmas market at Gunnebo castle and gardens and shop from local craftsmen and West Swedish food producers. Walk around the castle grounds while you drink some mulled wine, eat gingerbread from the castle bakery and listen to Christmas singing. Read more about the Christmas market here. The castle also invites you to their Christmas buffet, where you can make a reservation via this link.
à la London Christmas Design Market - 20 & 21 November 1000-1800 hrs. à la London is back at Auktionsverket Kulturarena (Culture Arena) with an amazing set of 80 designers with loads of new, cool, independent design. Perfect for finding unique and personal Christmas gifts! Entrance fee: 60 SEK, free for Children under 15 yrs. More info here: https://www.alalondon.se/in-english/
Concerts and performances:
The Gothenburg Opera House “Tinsel and Tumult” - 11-21 December
A new Christmas musical for the whole family. “One of the final rehearsals is underway on the opera house’s main stage for this year’s Christmas show. Expectations are high. The director rushes around while the prima donna and Santa Claus compete for the limelight. But something goes wrong and the premiere’s success is suddenly jeopardised. How will it turn out? - What magic powers are at work backstage? Can the plucky ensemble save the Christmas show before it’s too late?”. Read more and book tickets here. Proof of double vaccination will be required to enter.
The Gothenburg Concert Hall:
Sanna Nielsen - My true Christmas 13 December
The artist Sanna Nielsen is celebrating 25 years of being a professional singer: She celebrates by going on a Christmas concert tour around Sweden together with a few of the most talented musicians in the country. The tickets are available for purchase here.
Glorious Christmas – Strålande Jul 14-15 December.
Atmospheric Christmas concert in the Cathedral with the Gothenburg Wind Orchestra.
Gothenburg Wind Orchestra and Brunnsbo Music Classes with the vocal soloists Hannah Holgersson and Alexander Lövmark who together fill the Cathedral with beautiful singing. Brunnsbo Music Classes gild the concert and, as usual, it will be an atmospheric Christmas concert with beautiful Christmas music in all its forms. Get tickets and more information about the concerts here:
St. Lucia Concerts:
Oscar Fredrik Church 12-13 December
The Oskar Fredrik Church is in the Linné district and hosts a traditional St Lucia celebration including music and lights. More information about the tickets will soon be released here.
Domkyrkan 11 - 13 December
Gothenburg Cathedral is in the centre of the city. The cathedral hosts 5 St. Lucia concerts between December 11 and 13. The tickets cost 220 kr and will be released on 25 October via: Tix.se Read more about the concerts here. Hurry, though, they´re very popular and in great demand!
Hagakyrkan - 13 December
Hagakyrkan Church was built in 1859 and is in the inner city of Gothenburg by the old district Haga. The church will host two St. Lucia concerts on 13 December and the tickets will be open for sale from 1 November here.
Swedish Christmas buffets and dining:
From mid-November, you can enjoy several Christmas buffets from restaurants all over the city. Choose from a wide spectrum enjoying both traditional or more contemporary buffets.
Boulebar
At Boulebar you celebrate Christmas with a French theme. Here enjoy oysters, sparkling drinks and a French four-course Christmas dinner. Choose either the regular or the vegetarian alternative on the menu. Read more and make your reservation here.
Christmas dining at Liseberg
During Christmas at Liseberg you can also make a reservation for Christmas dinner at the restaurants 1923 and Hamnkrogen. 1923 is a new addition to the amusement park which serves traditional Christmas dining with classic flavours. The restaurant Hamnkrogen is inspired by the Swedish west coast where you can enjoy Christmas dinner with fish and seafood amongst other traditional dishes and a wide range of vegan dishes. Read more about the restaurants and how you make a reservation here.
Strömma: Traditional Christmas dinner at sea - 16 November - 22 December
On Strömma dining cruises you get to enjoy music and a delicious Christmas dinner with both classic and modern dishes. Begin the evening with Swedish mulled wine before taking your seat onboard M/S Gothenburg in the dining salon filled with Christmas cheer. Savour both food and the Christmas atmosphere at the same time as being entertained by the ship's singing troubadour. Tickets cost from 720kr including a classic Christmas dinner buffet, mulled wine, live music and an atmospheric archipelago cruise. Christmas buffet in Gothenburg archipelago |Stromma.com
Sjömagasinet 19 November- 26 December
This traditional restaurant with a history dating back to 1775, serves a traditional Christmas buffet for both lunch and dinner. Book a table here.
Hotel Eggers 25 November – 22 December
The venerable Hotel Eggers serves a traditional and delightful Christmas buffet in an environment inspired by the French la belle époque. Extend your stay with an overnight at the hotel and wake up to the breakfast buffet. Make your reservation and read more here.
Fiskekrogen 26 November – 22 December
Fiskekrogen serves a popular Christmas buffet with all their time-honoured classic dishes. You can choose to visit for either lunch, evenings or on a Sunday. Read more and make a reservation here.
Tullhuset 19 November- 21 December
Enjoy Christmas dining at Tullhuset (The Toll House) on the island Hönö in the Gothenburg archipelago, with a full-on fish and seafood theme. Read more and make your reservation here.
Read more at goteborg.com
There are also lots of classic Christmas markets, Christmas dinners to be enjoyed and Christmas concerts to marvel at. All content is available at goteborg.com.
Press Images: https://imagebank.sweden.se/my-selections/29unx8w4rk
The Christmas City of Gothenburg follows the public health authority's recommendations.
Steve Robertshaw, PR Manager
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