8 christmas tips

Below are a few things we are looking forward to in the days leading up to Christmas.

• A walk among the glittering Christmas lights. It is lovely indeed, when the Christmas lights shine on Kalmar. Don’t miss out on a stroll across Stortorget and Larmtorget, which usually have their own Christmas trees.
• Visit the charming Christmas markets. In the weeks leading up to Christmas there are usually several cosy Christmas markets to visit. Among the highlights is the Christmas fair at Kalmar Castle, hosted this year on November 27th–30th, with an extraordinary atmosphere.
• Meet Kalmar’s own Santa Claus. Around the first Sunday of Advent, the Kalmar Santa usually takes a seat at Västerport, the beautiful city gate that was once the main entrance to Kvarnholmen. He will offer some real Christmas cheer, and music for the season.
• Cosy museum visits. The Castle, the County Museum and the Art Museum always have exciting exhibitions to offer, and there are several art galleries well worth a visit, too. Perhaps you will have a chance to see the Jenny Nyström exhibition at the County Museum, now that it’s Christmas? The artist who is often called “Santa’s mum” was born in Kalmar in 1854.
• Concerts and theatre. This winter, there will be many Christmas concerts offered in Kalmar, all with their own atmosphere. Many other kinds of events are also hosted for your entertainment.
• Winter picnics. On bright and sparkling winter days, it is a lovely thing to pack some food and head for the outdoors. Perhaps you will stop at a nice BBQ spot? If there is snow, you could always bring the cross-country skis or the sled.
• Have a refreshing winter bath. Are you an all-year-round bather? Kalmar offers several places to go for a bath, both in the middle of town and on the outskirts of the municipality.
• Celebrate the new year. Why not end the year by participating in Sylvesterloppet, a footrace, held on New Year’s Eve?