10 Highlights in Kalmar Before Christmas 2025

Shimmering Christmas lights, atmospheric holiday music, and glögg-scented Christmas markets. Kalmar offers plenty to experience year-round, and here are some things to look forward to during the Advent season.

Stroll Under Glittering Christmas Lights

Isn’t it beautiful when twinkling Christmas lights illuminate Kalmar’s historical city center? Check out Stortorget and Larmtorget, which are usually beautifully decorated for Christmas. At Västerport, Kalmar’s own Santa Claus sits and looks out over the town. Occasionally, you might even hear him talking.

Visit Charming Christmas Markets

During the Advent weeks, there are several cozy Christmas markets to visit, both in the city center and in more rural settings. A highlight is the atmospheric Christmas fair at Kalmar Castle, held in conjunction with the first Advent. The Kalmar Christmas Market at Stortorget the following weekend is another recommendation.

Find Unique Kalmar Souvenirs

Kvarnholmen is Kalmar’s historical heart – and one of the best shopping streets during Christmas. Here you’ll find unique vintage shops, locally produced delicacies, and a wide range of experiences that create lifelong memories.

Enjoy Museum Visits

Kalmar’s attractions always have several interesting exhibitions. During Advent, it’s especially nice to check out the county museum’s exhibition about Jenny Nyström, known for her beautiful Christmas motifs. Additionally, the castle opens a new winter exhibition on December 11th. ”I, Artist Lotte Laserstein” is about one of the 20th century’s great realists, who had a clear connection to Kalmar and Öland.

Christmas Concerts, Shows, and Musicals

In the weeks before Christmas, you can experience atmospheric Christmas concerts and fantastic shows in various locations around Kalmar. You can also see a newly written musical about Santa Claus’s mother Jenny Nyström, who lived in Kalmar during her early years. The event offerings are broad across genres, including shows by Björn Gustafsson, the team behind One Night Standup, and Brynolf and Ljung. You can also see the theater performance ”Je m’ appelle Agneta” and ballets ”The Nutcracker” and ”Swanlake”.

Enjoy Christmas Delicacies

Several of Kalmar’s restaurants serve delicious Christmas buffets filled with holiday delicacies. Perhaps you’ll choose to have your Christmas dinner in a historic castle or at a renowned inn? In Kalmar, you can naturally also enjoy a Christmas buffet with a Jenny Nyström frame.