Liseberg Christmas Market Gothenburg Sweden

If you’re looking for Christmas city breaks in Europe then make sure to visit the Liseberg Christmas market in Gothenburg.

Christmas in Europe is a special time of year and this Gothenburg Christmas market might just be the best Christmas market in Europe!

It was exactly what I was after when I was researching Europe’s best Christmas markets. I was after a Christmas break in Europe and came across Gothenburg in Sweden when I searched for cheap flights on Skyscanner.

Gothenburg, Sweden gets cold in the winter (but not too cold), there’s plenty to see and do there, it’s not too expensive (especially for Sweden) and their Christmas market is awesome!

In fact, I couldn’t have been happier with my Christmas market trip to Liseberg Christmas Market in Gothenburg!

My experience visiting the Liseberg Christmas Market in Gothenburg

I think the Liseberg Christmas market is my ideal Christmas market. It’s not full of stalls selling cheap-looking decorations, and nor is it full of candy floss.

Instead, it’s full of snow, ice skating, glogg (a Swedish mulled wine), Father Christmas and the elves from his workshop, arcades, rides, hot chocolates, and Christmas carols blaring from the speakers across Liseberg amusement park.

During the festive season, Liseberg becomes a Christmas wonderland. It’s got that effortlessly cool Nordic vibe to it and makes you feel Christmassy the minute you pass through the entrance gates.

The park is divided into different sections. There’s Rabbit Land, Medieval Village, and Lapland complete with a trip to Santa.

Plus, this Gothenburg xmas market (well Liseberg Amusement Park) celebrates it’s 100 year anniversary this year so you can be sure the market will be extra special

Rabbit Land was my favourite with it’s multi-coloured fairy lights, presents, abundance of Christmas trees and a giant rabbit! Medieval Land had a huge ship with carol singers and quaint look houses as well as a Princess Castle.

But a trip to a Christmas market isn’t complete without heading to Santa’s grotto!

As fantastic as the whole of the Christmas market at Liseberg Park was, one of the best parts was the open fires.

There were open fireplaces throughout Liseberg Park and they gave of an incredible amount of much-needed heat as you explored this magical wonderland.

Make sure to get some Glogg during your visit to Liseberg Christmas market. The Swedish version of mulled wine, Glogg is sweeter and a bit more syrupy than a lot of mulled wines.

There’s also the option to have some raisins and almonds in your drink for something extra special.

What to do at the Gothenburg Christmas Market

There’s so much to do at the Christmas market in Gothenburg but here are a few of the things you can’t miss as you wander around Liseberg at Christmas; one of the best European Christmas destinations!

• Drink Glogg – warm up with this festive drink that’s a little bit like mulled wine but with more spices and dried fruit.
• Go ice skating
  Watch the Swan Lake ballet on ice at Liseberg Christmas market. Each performance lasts 20 minutes and shows are on weekdays at 19.00 at Saturdays 16.30 & 19.00 and Sundays at 17.00.
• Meet the Liseberg snowmen who stand at the entrance gates
• Shop for designer gifts on top of the Liseberg Tower
• Wander the Christmas market for presents, sweet treats and roasted almonds
• Discover an Old-fashioned Christmas in the Old Fashioned quarter
• Listen to carols on-board the ships in the harbor area
• Visit Rabbit Land – kids and adults will love it
• Be amazed by the lights throughout the park
• Play at the arcade
• Visit Santa in his workshop!
• Ride the massive ferris wheel over the park

Why you should visit Gothenburg Christmas market

I’ve visited many Christmas markets in Europe and the Liseberg Christmas experience is by far my favourite. In my view, it’s one of the best Christmas markets in the world.

You get that traditional Christmas market vibe but the stalls include homewares and gifts you’d actually want to buy.

At many Christmas markets in Europe, you can only buy tat or candied nuts, at the Gothenburg Xmas markets you can buy classy gifts.

If you’re in search of affordable and cheap Christmas market breaks then Gothenburg is also a great option.

You don’t usually think of Sweden as being budget friendly, but Gothenburg was surprisingly affordable.

And the flights from the UK are SO cheap! Christmas at Liseberg is well worthy of being amongst the top Christmas markets in Europe.

When is the Liseberg Christmas Market 2023 Open?

The Liseberg Christmas experience is open from mid-November to the end of December every year and for the first few weeks in January 2024 too.

For Liseberg Christmas 2023, the dates are as below. Opening hours vary so I recommend checking the Liseberg Opening times online.

• November: 18th-19th, 24th-26th,
• December: 1st–3rd, 6th-30th
• January: 2nd-7th

How to get tickets for the Gothenburg Christmas market

You can buy tickets at the entrance gates or online in advance. There are several options when it comes to buying tickets for this Swedish Christmas market.

The basic admission Liseberg tickets at Christmas cost 125 SEK (Around £10 or just over $12).

You can also get an all-in-one pass which includes access to the park as well as admission on the available rides from 255 SEK. Alternatively, you can buy ticket books, depending on how many rides you think you might want to go on or buy them individually. I ended up paying extra for the big Ferris wheel.

What are the other things to do in Gothenburg?

There are plenty of things to do in Gothenburg and there are lots of top Gothenburg attractions. Just because it’s winter doesn’t mean you shouldn’t visit. A Gothenburg winter trip is a great idea! If you’re wondering what to see in Gothenburg then take a look at this list.

• Visit the archipelago: The Gothenburg archipelago should be on your list of ‘what to do in Gothenburg’.
• Gothenburg Museum of Art: This art museum houses impressive Nordic collections from the 15th century and lots more
• Eat fresh fish at the Feskekôrka fish market: The “Fish Church” is a fish market hall and it’s a great spot for lunch.
• Take plenty of ‘Fika breaks’: There are beautiful cafes all over Gothenburg but some of the best are in the Haga district of the city like Cafe Husaren
• Go shopping for Swedish designs: Scandinavian style has won over the world so you’re bound to love shopping for homewares in Gothenburg.
• Try out the local craft beer: Check out the microbreweries that have popped up around town and try the local craft beer
• Go for a sauna and a swim in Frihamnen: This sauna and floating pool are a great way to relax in the afternoon.
• Take in the view from Skansen Kronan: Climb the stairs to the top of Skansen Kronan and enjoy the beautiful views over Gothenburg.

More of the best Christmas markets in Gothenburg and Europe

If you’re looking for another Christmas market Gothenburg has to offer, you’re in luck as there are several across the city.

Haga Christmas Market

Haga is one of the cosiest places in Gothenburg anyway so you just know it’s super cosy come Christmas.

This is where you’ll find one of the most well-known and arguably most traditional Christmas markets in Gothenburg.

Every December, the main street in this Gothenburg neighbourhood – Haganygatan – holds a Christmas Market. You’ll find stalls selling arts and crafts and Swedish sweet treats as well as plenty of places to get some great Swedish souvenirs at the Haga Christmas Market.

Plus, there’s Cafe Husaren where you’ll be able to enjoy a HUGE cinnamon bun. Seriously, the one we got lasted my husband and me several days!

• Dates: Every weekend from 27th November – 19th December

Tjolöholms Slott

One of the other great Goteborg Christmas market destinations is Tjolöholms Slott. This Gothenburg Sweden Christmas Market is in an old manor house by the sea, an hour away from Gothenburg.

Here, the markets are spread across three old stables and you’ll find food stalls, homemade goods, and plenty of local things to buy and eat!

You’re free to wander around the gardens and markets as you please and they even have actors dressed up as though they’re from the 1800s which adds to the appeal of this Christmas Market near Gothenburg.

• Dates: In 2023, this Christmas market is open on weekends from November 17th to December 3rd

Nordstan Christmas Market

If you’re sticking to Gothenburg proper for your Christmas Market experience and have already done Liseberg Christmas Market, then it’s worth heading into the centre of Nordstan shopping centre to check out the stall there.

It’s definitely more commercial and less cosy Christmas vibes, but you can get plenty of glögg and it’s still fun to wander around.

• Dates: 1st – 23rd December 2023

Bohus Fästning

This Gothenburg Christmas Market takes place at Bohus Fästning (Bohus Fortress).

Walking through the old castle entranceway you’ll come out to a beautiful courtyard that’s filled with festive scents and sights.

It’s one of my favorite Christmas Markets in Gothenburg for a weekend trip out of the city and since it’s so unique.

While I think other markets are better for actually getting gifts from, there’s no doubt this is a fun one to go to.

• Dates: 2nd and 3rd December 2023 from 12 pm – 6 pm

Bruket I Wiared

This is a super cool idea for different Christmas markets Gothenburg has that you should visit this winter.

All year round Bruket I Wiared, about half an hour outside of Gothenburg, is an awesome farm shop and restaurant to visit.

The whole place becomes super Christmassy on the last weekend of November, and the first weekend of December making it the perfect thing to get you in that Christmas spirit!

A La London Art and Design Market

This is a great place to go if you’re looking to find some unique arty gifts for friends and family this year.

The A La London Art and Design Christmas Market only runs for one weekend (this year on November 25th and 26th) and you’ll find art prints, ceramics, and occasionally clothes too.

• Top tip: Go early as it gets very busy and expect to wait in line to enter.

If you’re looking for some more European Christmas markets then you can find some great European markets in places like Strasbourg in France, the Viennese Christmas Market in Vienna, Austria, the Christmas market at Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen, and pretty much any city and large town across Europe. Those listed are some of my picks for the best places in Europe for Christmas.

Where is the main Gothenburg Christmas Market 2023?

The Gothenburg Christmas market takes place at Gothenburg’s amusement park (though there are others, see above).

The amusement park is called Liseberg and it’s open all year round. However, for the Christmas holidays, it takes on a Christmassy transformation and becomes Gothenburg Liseberg Christmas Market!

There are outdoor Christmas lights, a chance to visit Santa’s grotto, carols, arcades, and, of course, plenty of opportunities to get some Christmas gifts from the market.

The rest of the year Liseberg is an amusement park in the centre of Gothenburg with 42 attractions with rides for thrill seekers, including Blader which has twice been voted the World’s best wooden tracked rollercoaster!

Liseberg Göteborg opened way back in 1923 and is one of Scandinavia’s most visited amusement parks even Forbes has picked Liseberg Park as one of the best amusement parks in the world.

Where is Gothenburg Sweden?

Gothenburg, or Göteborg, is a relatively small town on the west coast of Sweden. It’s known for its Dutch-style canals and tree-lined roads.

It’s a popular destination in both summer and winter. Gothenburg also has its own archipelago (a group of islands) that is beautiful in its wildness and offers some great, fresh seafood.

Gothenburg is Sweden’s second-largest city and has a relaxed, hipster vibe. It’s only a short flight away from London and flying with Norwegian was very affordable.

Gothenburg is large enough to be full of things to do and cafes to browse but small enough to explore at a weekend.

Last Updated on November 28, 2023 by Hannah