This Weekend!

December 17th, 18th and 19th

The Winer Solstice is next Wednesday (Dec. 22nd). This the year's shortest/darkest day... but I think we can find some things going on in the city that might lighten the weekend for you!

• They are celebrating the Winter Solstice in true pagan style at Skansen this weekend with "ice & fire" show. It will take place on the Solliden stage at 4pm on both Saturday and Sunday. Take advantage and visit their Christmas market... it is the last weekend they will be having it!
• If you are a dog person then I have the perfect event for you... the Swedish Kennel Club has their FCI International dog show this weekend. It will be taking place at the International Fairgrounds in Älvsjö. Thousands of dogs on show and competing.
• Advent Calendars are very popular in Sweden. Decorative pictures with little windows which you open once a day revealing an image or a poem. The Old Town (Gamla Stan) is having a living Advent Calendar this year. Everyday a window opens at a different adress in the Old Town to reval a choir, a singer, musicians or other artists. The windows open at 6:15pm, except on Christmas Eve when it opens at 11:30am. Their website is in Swedish, but there you will find a map showing the different addresses and dates.
• The Maxim Theater is putting on a performance of Dicken's A Christmas Carol. Performances start on December 20th and run through January 8th (no show on the 24th, 25th and Jan 1st). It is a British cast, so the show is in English! If you are staying at the Rival Hotel then, contact me and I can help you with tickets.

The weather this weekend? Lots of snow, with temperatures between 0 and -5 degrees Celsius. Colder air expected on Sunday evening. Good news... it is pretty much official now: Stockholm will be having a white Christmas this year! (Both pictures here were taken outside of the hotel this morning)