Old Town Christmas Market
We'll be the first to admit that we're no tour guides, but if there is one area we know like the back of our hands, it's our homeland Sweden – no question. And for those of you lucky enough to have a Swedish holiday on your calendar this month, well, you just got luckier, because below you'll find a list of our favorite places in the area to visit with family and friends, as well as a few key bar suggestions (honestly, would we leave that out?). For those of you not planning a Swedish holiday in your near future, well, we suggest you start soon.
What: Old Town Christmas Market
Why: Some houses in Old Town Stockholm date back to the mid 1400s, and it's a perfect place to spend an afternoon strolling around looking into art galleries and coffee shops. Every year they arrange a Christmas market where you can buy your gifts, drink Glögg (Swedish hot spiced wine) and stroll to your heart's content.
Kanon Tip: Every day at 12:15 PM weekdays or 1:15 PM on weekends, the royal guards change shifts. Make sure to walk up to the castle at the right time to catch this military spectacle.
What: Skiing in Sweden
Why: Without a doubt, some of the best parties during the winter take place in the Swedish mountains in places such as Åre, Sälen and Riksgränsen. The party starts at the afterski around 4 PM and usually ends 12 hours later.
Kanon Tip: Here's a little fun fact to whip out in party conversation: Riksgränsen is the most Northern skiing resort in the world.
What: The Vasa Museum
Why: The Vasa ship sunk on its maiden voyage in 1628 and was brought up in 1961 to be displayed in full at the Vasa Museum in Stockholm. Today, it is the most visited museum in all of Northern Europe – and that's for a reason.
Kanon Tip: Close to the Vasa Museum is the restaurant Ulla Winbladhs which has some of the best meatballs in Sweden.
What: The Stockholm bar scene
Why: For being such a small city, Stockholm has some pretty amazing bars, which you'll need when it's cold and dark as the Stockholm winter always is. The places to visit are the Nobis Hotel Golden Bar where Queens-born bartender Robert Radovic creates many award winning cocktails, Story Hotel which is ideal for starting a night out, and Vassa Eggen for a place to sit around and people watch.
Kanon Tip: Inside Restaurant 1900 lies Kåken, the go-to spot for most of Stockholm's hip crowd where nightclub manager and FOK Salvatore Scappini reigns.
What: Eating a Christmas Table
Why: In Sweden, this yearly tradition involves going out with friends and colleagues to eat a Christmas Table, which basically means eating and drinking non-stop for a couple of hours straight. Most places serve traditional dishes such as Christmas ham, meatballs, lutfisk (Swedish dried fish), pickled herring and much more. And if you get tired of that, there's a plethora of places that serve amazing seafood buffets instead.
Kanon Tip: Our favorite options are the traditional Christmas Table at Operakällaren or the seafood variety at Reisen.
*Bonus: For the true Kanon fan, come visit us at the Gripsholm distillery to learn more about how our vodka is made within a 3-mile radius. But fair warning – we're very friendly people, so you never know when you'll get sucked into an unexpected Kanon soiree.
