What to do and where to go the first December week when Christmas is around the corner and the cold is getting worse and worse? Veronika Opatřilová takes you through Christmas markets and other places where you won’t freeze at all.
The very first week in December is here which above all means that Christmas – this awaited holiday – is getting closer and closer. The symptoms of Christmas are easily recognizable and you’ll meet all of them every day on the street.
People in hunt of the best Christmas present or the sweet smell of glögg and pepparkakor from Christmas stands, as well as the charming illumination on the trees. All of that undoubtedly belongs to Christmas time. You can either love it or hate it; I leave that choice to you.
But whatever your answer is, check out some extra tips what to do the first December week. They apply to everyone.
In case you’re a junkie of Christmas atmosphere and everything connected to it, you’ll be walking in the air, especially during the upcoming weekend. A noticeable number of Christmas markets take place in Lund and its surroundings.
Let’s dive into it. Have you ever heard about Johan Henrik Thomander? Don’t be sad if not because that will change after this Christmas in Lund. Thomander was a very famous professor, rector, bishop and also active politician and naturally he spent most of his life in Lund. In Lund’s Kulturen lies the so called Thomanderska huset(Thomander´s house) where you’ll have a chance to see what Christmas celebrations were like during his life in the 19th century. Well, not only in this particular house, but also in the whole Kulturen and in the city a great amount of culture events will be held.
- On Saturday go to the Stortorget between 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to experience some Christmas markets. When you get tired of it take a ride in a horse carriage through Lund’s street and listen to some live music played there or meet the Christmas elf between 12 a.m. and 3 p.m. in the Hasselgrenska garden.
- Sunday offers the very same range of activities, check the complete programme here.
Another option is to travel to Malmö. There is a good reason to visit Katrinetorp – a part of Malmö city – during the upcoming weekend. Take a free bus from Gustav Adolfs square every half an hour and you’ll experience one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in the south of Sweden.
The opening hours are from 12 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, the admission fee is 80 SEK. Get the complete info (in Swedish) here.
- And in case this is still not enough, take a train to Copenhagen, for example the Tivoli Park will offer everything possible to Christmas lovers.
Already tired of Christmas and sweet smell of pepparkakor everywhere? It’s too cold to stay outside? Grab 70 SEK and hurry to Södran cinema to warm up on a movie from sunny Cuba called El Medico: The Cubaton Story. The movie is both in English and Swedish, so you can also practice your language skills. Once you’re in the cinema, don’t miss another movie called Skoonhein on the 4th December, 7 p.m. in Kino. Won’t tell you more, only that English subtitles are guaranteed.
- If you’re hungry for some art, visit the exposition Konstgjord av oss on the Villa Sunna, Dalbyvägen 31, Saturday and Sunday between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Christmas is also the time of good deeds. Do something for those who weren’t that lucky in their life and join the Home Charity Flea Market. Bring all you don’t need anymore to the ESN office until 5th December. The raised money will be given for a good cause, in particular to a charity organization called Individuell Människohjälp. On the Christmas market on 8th December you can visit the Domkyrkoforum and find some fair trade goods there as well.
And last but not the least. In case of need for some music or dance or just a beer, visit Mejeriet club in Lund on the 5th of December, the door opens at 5.30 p.m., the entrance fee is 60 SEK. For the ninth time students of Spyken high school will held a night full of good music.
If Lund doesn’t sound that exciting to you, travel to Copenhagen to see the live concert of the band called Europe. This Swedish band with its beginnings in the 70ies became famous especially because of the world known hit Final Countdown. And you might as well can sing and count with them the final countdown to the Christmas.
All what’s left is to wish you a wonderful warm week full of Christmas atmosphere!
