winter
A warming source of light during Midwinter nights
The darkest months are also, funnily enough, the time of a sparkling feast of light in Stockholm. When the midwinter nights embrace the capital of Sweden in December, the inviting radiance from restaurants, theatres, museums, exhibitions and other attractions is at its most alluring.
Christmas preparations start already at the end of November and the activities and festivities follow one after another, up until this millennium's very last New Year's Eve. Visitors at the outdoor museum Skansen have the opportunity to experience a genuine and Nordic atmosphere at the traditional Christmas market of by-gone days on November 28th as well as December 5th and 12th. Coming here is like travelling back a century in time. Among the old farmhouses you can sample both Swedish handicraft and traditional delicacies such as smoked reindeer, smoked salmon and "Gl�gg", the traditional milled wine to warm the body and soul. In the Old Town, too, the market stalls are filled with food and arts and crafts at Stortorget�s old-fashioned Christmas Fair.
Shopping galore
However, Stockholm has more than old traditions to offer. New, Swedish design is exciting and has made it big world wide. In December shopping is at its best in Stockholm. If you're looking for the latest Swedish trends you will certainly not go empty-handed when shopping in Stockholm. For example, the fashion designer Anna Holtblad has her own tasteful boutique and at Galleri Pukeberg in Nybrogatan you will find a wide range of exciting Swedish glass design. Anagram is located in the same street, offering textile design as well as a popular restaurant. Designtorget at Kulturhuset represents both new and more established designers with new ideas at very reasonable prices.
A culinary trip through the archipelago
Stockholm's fabulous archipelago with its thousands and thousands of islands is a unique place to experience, even in winter. The sparkling white snow forms a dramatic contrast to the dark waters and the glistening ice. Catch a boat from the centre of Stockholm and enjoy lunch or dinner on board as you pass through the winter landscape. You will find the best of the traditional Christmas "sm�rg�sbord"; salmon and herring of all sorts as well as roe and many other delicacies of the sea.
December is also the month of shining festivities in Stockholm. The most famous celebration is Lucia on December 13th in remembrance of the Sicilian martyr Santa Lucia, but in Nordic fashion, dressed in white and with candles in her hair. The Lucia procession ends at Skansen with a concert of beautiful Lucia- and Christmas songs. At the Stockholm Globe Arena a choir of hundreds of children perform the traditional Lucia songs. On December 10th it is the Nobel Prize winners who enlighten the dark at the Nobel Festivities in the City Hall with a spectacular banquette for all the Nobel Prize winners accompanied by the Royal Family of Sweden.
The first Midwinter Festival
Culture-wise, December too is a busy month. The Royal Opera performs classics such as The Barber of Seville and the fabulous museum Livrustkammaren, The Royal Armoury, attracts a wide audience with the exhibition "Queens, Femininity and Power", which will be inaugurated by the Queen of Sweden, Silvia, on November 26th.
Because of the millennium, the Midwinter Festival will have its premi�re this year. One week of exciting events, ranging from light and sound shows across the waters to performing top world artists. The Old Town dresses up in 18th century costumes and with the help of their inhabitants we travel back in time. The Grand Finale will be on New Year's Eve, the very last one of this millennium. However, the Midwinter Festival will continue into the new year to start the millennium with a number of fun and exciting happenings.
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