New to town with your family in tow, and want some festive ideas for the whole gang? Nicola Foleher has a selection of the best family events in Skellefteå and Umeå.
Christmas market
Nordanå Market
When: Sunday, December 10
Where: Nordanå, Skellefteå
Time: 11am-4pm
Cost: Free
A traditional and long-standing Christmas market that has so much to offer in beautiful surroundings. Stalls sell high quality crafted gifts and there is an abundance of activities to keep everyone happy. Take part in one of the many workshops making Christmas cards and decorations or follow your nose to the baking cottage where bread is being freshly baked. Enjoy fika while you listen to the choir sing and do your Christmas shopping.
Head inside and watch a theatre production, or stroll around one of the interesting and fun exhibitions including one featuring cultural cardigans and fairytale sweaters. Parking is limited, so instead wrap up warm and walk from the center of town.
Fun with Father Christmas
Lilleputtlandet, Skellefteå
When: December 9, 10, 16 and 17
Where: Lilleputtlandet, Skellefteå
Time: 1pm-4pm
Cost: Children 90sek, adults free
Meet Santa and his elves and join
in the fun at Lilleputtlandet this Christmas. Take a ride on Santa’s train or help him in his carpentry shop, and discover the small exciting houses as you journey through a festive adventure. Try to guess the answer to the elves’ Christmas puzzle competitions and, of course, don’t forget to let the big man know your Christmas wishlist!
Meet Santa and Magic Peppe
When: Saturday, December 16
Where: Umeå
Time: 12pm-3pm
Cost: Free
On the third advent, why not head down to Umeå for a fun day out and go to meet Santa himself. Join him at Rådhustorget where he will be waiting to hear what’s on your Christmas wishlist and you can meet his special guest Magic Peppe who will be performing magic tricks, and other fun and entertaining acts! Perhaps combine this with the Christmas gift hunt…
Christmas gift hunt
When: December 3-17
Where: Umeå.
Cost: Free
The Christmas hunt begins on the first advent, starting in Umeå city center. The elves have hidden ten gifts in various shop windows located between Kungsgatan and Rådhusesplanaden. Make your way through festive streets and see if you can find the hidden presents. Everyone who takes part and locates all ten Christmas presents has a chance to win a Umeå Centrum gift card with a value of 2,000sek. Once you’ve found them all, follow the link on the Visit Umeå website to register your finds.
Julstaden gingerbread exhibition
When: Opens December 3
Where: Skellefteå museum
Cost: Free
A Christmas city made entirely of gingerbread by the children of Skellefteå whose only limit is their imagination and the size of their cake board! Each year the museum hosts this wonderfully fragrant display which opens with a fabulous workshop where your little ones can design and build their very own gingerbread house. Just head over to the museum and follow your nose to discover this truly delightful (and delicious!) day out for all the family.
Lucia procession
Where: Umeå
When: Wednesday, December 13
Time: 16:00
Cost: Free
On Lucia, you and your family can enjoy a magical Lucia procession that glides through the center of town. The procession starts at 16:00 at Stadskyrkan and progresses through Umeå’s center through Utopia, MVG and Sagagallerian, where they will sing atmospheric Christmas songs.
Expats & Friends bring and share event
Where: IES Skellefteå
When: Saturday, December 2
Time: 13:00-16:00
Cost: 50sek, under 12 free
Bring a dish or two of delicious food that represents your background, and add it to the potluck table. Bring your own drinks (non-alcoholic) and get together with other international families from Skellefteå to celebrate the festive season.
