Stockholm Christmas Experience 2025

A Borton Overseas Scandinavia Specialist will accompany the group on its departure from Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport with an afternoon departure. Borton Overseas can assist with arrangements for departures from other US locations – please inquire!

Welcome to Sweden!  Arrive late morning at Stockholm Arlanda Airport. On arrival, we will meet our local guide and coach for a transfer into the city followed by a four-hour sightseeing tour of the capital. Following our tour, enjoy free time to settle into our rooms before we gather for a welcome dinner as a group at a local restaurant. Overnight: Stockholm hotel

This morning, our group will visit the famous Vasa Museum, which houses a full-size historic vessel, and tells the story of the ship from how it was built and why it sunk, to how she was retrieved from the waters and perfectly preserved. Our next stop is Stockholm City Hall, built between 1911 and 1923. Inside you will find the Golden Hall, the prince´s gallery, and the Blue Hall, in which the Nobel Banquet takes place every year.

After drop-off back at our hotel, your host will accompany the group on the short walk through Gamla Stan, Stockholm’s Old Town. Our first stop will be a nostalgic candy shop where you will watch the process of making candy canes, and even have the opportunity to make your own! Next, a visit to Stortorget Market, the oldest in Sweden, with the first market opening in 1837. Here you will find stalls spread across the beautiful market square selling Christmas treats and handicrafts. After free time for shopping in the market and exploring the sights and shops of Gamla Stan, you can meet walk back to the hotel with your host or continue to shop on your own. Overnight: Stockholm hotel

We depart this morning on a full day excursion to Uppsala and Sigtuna. Uppsala is the historic center of the Swedish empire. Here we will have a guided sightseeing tour and visit the Uppsala Cathedral, the largest sacred building of Sweden.
We continue to Sigtuna, rich in history. Founded in the year 980, it is the oldest city still inhabited in Sweden and its shopping street, Storgatan, is the oldest main road in all of Sweden. Many of the original buildings of Sigtuna were destroyed by fire in the late Middle Ages, but the main church survived and many picturesque alleys and wooden buildings still provide visitors with the feeling of stepping back into medieval times.
Overnight: Stockholm hotel

We will start our day at the open-air museum, Skansen, with a visit to the glassblowers’ studio for a demonstration. You can then tap into your inner artisan and make your own Christmas tree ornament to take home with you! We will then visit their historic Christmas market, dating back to 1903. Beyond the market stalls selling various local food and crafts, you can also stroll through the museum’s collection of historic homes and gardens, showcasing the customs and traditions of the past, and the Nordic Zoo. After shopping time, the group will transfer back to our hotel – or you can continue to shop on own.

Today is St. Lucia Day! Every December, Sweden celebrates the ancient mythical figure, Lucia, the bearer of light in the darkness of Swedish winters. This evening, our group will attend the St. Lucia concert at Storkyrkan (Stockholm Cathedral). A procession takes place with young girls adorned in white gowns, one representing St. Lucia, wearing a crown of candles. The St. Lucia procession is a very well-known historical Christmas tradition in Sweden. Overnight: Stockholm hotel

Today we get an exclusive inside look at Drottningholm Slottsteater, the palace theater, which dates back to the year 1745 and experienced its golden age under King Gustav III. It is the oldest theater in Europe still operating. Following the tour, you will have your afternoon free for any final shopping or sightseeing you would like to do.

This evening, we will gather for a final dinner together as a group. We will take a short walk from our hotel to Strandvägen. From here, we will take a boat trip to Vaxholm Citadel. Every year, Vaxholm hosts a traditional Christmas dinner buffet (julbord). Following the festive meal, we will return to our hotel by boat. Overnight: Stockholm hotel

We will be transferred by coach to the airport for the group’s flight departure from Stockholm, with arrival back in Minneapolis/St. Paul in the evening. – or extend your stay in Scandinavia!