Guide to Christmas Events in Österlen: Markets, Julbord Feasts, and Concerts

As winter settles over Österlen, village lights begin to glow, the aroma of mulled glögg and fresh baking fills the courtyards, and the authentic yuletide spirit takes hold. Here, Advent and Christmas offer everything from medieval traditions in historic castles and museums to fragrant Christmas markets, award-winning julbord buffets, and atmospheric concerts in enchanting settings.

Traditional Christmas Markets & Holiday Shopping Weekends

Österlen’s Christmas markets are renowned for genuine craftsmanship, locally produced delicacies, and warm encounters with skilled local artisans.

1. Christmas Market at Österlens Museum, Simrishamn

In the historic museum garden in central Simrishamn, visitors are treated to a classic Christmas market featuring a glowing blacksmith’s forge, local crafts, and a wonderful festive atmosphere among the cobblestone alleys.

2. Old-Fashioned Christmas Market at Drakamöllan, Degeberga

Set among rolling hills, Drakamöllan’s courtyard hosts an old-fashioned Christmas market with traditional stalls, artisanal crafts, and piping-hot chocolate on the coffee veranda.

3. Christmas Market at Tingshuset 1881, Hammenhög

Tingshuset invites guests to an atmospheric market in heritage premises, where curated exhibitors showcase beautiful gifts, art, and holiday delicacies.

4. Nu är det Gösta igen… – Christmas Market & Holiday Cheer, Simrishamn

Museum Gösta Werner welcomes Advent with an open house, live music, glögg, gingerbread, and tables filled with unique local artisan crafts.

5. Christmas at Garverimuseet (The Tannery Museum), Simrishamn

Take in Simrishamn’s festive shop windows and drop into the historic Tannery Museum for warming glögg, gingerbread, and holiday raffles.

6. Christmas Gift Saturday at Tropical Scandinavia, Hammenhög

Discover vibrant patterns, textiles, and artistic holiday gifts in an inspiring studio setting that brings warmth to the winter darkness.

Historic Christmas Celebrations & Lucia

Step back in time and discover how winter and yuletide festivities have been celebrated across the centuries.

7. St. Nicholas Eve at Glimmingehus, Hammenhög

Celebrate St. Nicholas, the predecessor of Santa Claus, inside the Nordic region’s best-preserved medieval stronghold. A magical evening rich in history, market stalls, and medieval intrigue.

8. Medieval Lucia at Glimmingehus, Hammenhög

An atmospheric and truly distinctive Lucia celebration in the historic medieval castle, featuring medieval melodies and lore surrounding the ancient Queen of Light.

9. Lucia – Cello with Porridge Breakfast, Simrishamn

Greet the morning at dawn with steaming rice porridge and a heartwarming choir concert of voice and cello led by cellist Petronella Torin.

10. Sunday Dinner with Lucia at Drakamöllan, Degeberga

Combine classic festive dishes with choral Lucia carols during an inviting Sunday dinner in Drakamöllan’s charming dining hall.

Creative Holiday Crafts & Preparations

Embrace your creative side ahead of Christmas by making your own wreaths or crafting together with the family.

11. Make Your Own Christmas Decoration, Kiviks Musteri

Create custom Advent wreaths and festive candle arrangements using pine sprigs, winter greenery, and crisp red apples from Kivik.

12. Christmas Crafting at Gunnarshögs Gård, Hammenhög

In the delightful mini cold-pressing mill at Gunnarshög, children and adults alike can make holiday crafts, enjoy fika, and share in warm seasonal togetherness.

Classic Julbord Buffets & Scanian Holiday Flavors

Scanian julbord feasts are celebrated for their generous bounty, artisanal touch, and prime ingredients from sea, farm, and forest.

13. Traditional Scanian Julbord, Brösarp Gästgifveri

An authentic Scanian inn feast prepared from scratch with house-pickled herrings, meatballs, terrines, and time-honored recipes next to the hills of Brösarp.

14. Julbord at Kiviks Hotell, Kivik

Savor an exquisite holiday buffet showcasing local produce from land and sea, served alongside panoramic views across Hanö Bay.

15. Seafood Julbord at Buhres, Kivik

For lovers of fine seafood, Buhres in Kivik harbor presents a specialty julbord featuring smoked prawns, langoustines, and mustard-glazed salmon.

16. Christmas at Karnelund, Simrishamn

In Gislöv, Karnelund Krog & Rum presents an elegant four-course holiday dinner rich in culinary craftsmanship and regional flavors.

17. Christmas Show with Julbord at Hannas House, Hammenhög

Combine classic homemade holiday fare, wild-caught trout, and marinated herrings with an engaging and heartwarming holiday stage show.

18. Julbord Premiere at Drakamöllan, Degeberga

A heritage holiday feast featuring Brantevik herring, matjes herring tart, Jansson’s temptation, and a lavish dessert table in a cozy country estate setting.

19. Advent Dinner at Drakamöllan, Degeberga

Celebrate Advent in peaceful serenity with a refined three-course Sunday dinner on an estate lovingly decorated for the season.

20. The Pizza-Bord Experience at Gustafs, Simrishamn

Looking for a fresh twist on traditional festive dining? Gustafs in Simrishamn serves an inventive spread where classic Swedish julbord favorites meet crispy artisan pizza.

Christmas Concerts & Cultural Performances

Let live music light up the winter evenings. Österlen offers an eclectic lineup ranging from swinging jazz to classic holiday storytelling.

21. Big Blowing Band goes Christmas, Skillinge Teater

A swinging full-evening concert as a 20-piece big band performs jazz holiday classics with infectious energy at Skillinge Teater.

22. Christmas Show with Scen Österlen, Simrishamn

The youth performers of Scen Österlen share festive cheer with lively singing, dance, and stage entertainment suited for all ages.

23. Jan Lundgren / Hannah Svensson / Mattias Svensson, Hammenhög

World-class jazz takes center stage at Tingshuset 1881 as top Swedish musicians interpret beloved seasonal melodies.

24. The Fir Tree – A Christmas Tale in Words and Music, Rörum

An intimate live performance where Hans Christian Andersen’s classic tale ‘The Fir Tree’ comes alive through expressive theater and evocative music.

25. Live Music in the Picklebar with Christmas Songs, Borrby

Country, rock, blues, and swinging holiday favorites combine for a laid-back, atmospheric pub night in Borrby.

Twixmas, New Year’s Celebrations & Epiphany

Once Christmas Day passes, the celebrations continue across Österlen with relaxing post-Christmas retreats, festive New Year’s dinners, and Epiphany concerts.

26. Post-Christmas Retreat at Drakamöllan, Degeberga

Recharge after the festive rush with brisk walks among the hills, crackling fires, and fine country dining at the farm hotel.

27. New Year’s Eve at Bobergs på Hamngården, Brantevik

Toast the new year in style with a thoughtfully composed, memorable New Year’s dinner at this harborside restaurant in Brantevik.

28. Epiphany Ball with Opera at Drakamöllan, Degeberga

Conclude the festive season with sparkling wine, an exquisite five-course dinner, and soaring arias performed by acclaimed opera singers.

29. New Year’s Concert – Viennese Waltz in Österlen, Rörum

Celebration, waltzes, and holiday sparkle as four musicians present an enchanting concert accompanied by festive bubbles.

30. Twelfth Night Blues at Tingshuset, Hammenhög

Swedish Ukes’n Drums International draws the holiday season to a close with soulful, foot-tapping blues in Hammenhög.