Museums & Tours During the Holiday Season 2016-17

Christmas at Skeppsbron. Photo by Henrik Trygg/mediabank.visitstockholm.com

(EDIT: Click here for updated information for this year) The week around Christmas and New Years can be a little tricky when it comes to visiting museums and attractions. There are quite a few bank holidays and special days during a short period of time and museums have a wide variation of opening hours... some are open every day, others close on the major holidays while others choose to close their doors for several days. Here is a list of the major museums and attractions and when they will be closed to help you plan your visit.

• Skansen- open every day! Free entrance on Dec 24th. 
• Vasa Museum- closed Dec 23rd to 25th and Jan 1st. Closes early (3pm) on Dec 31st.
• ABBA the Museum- closed only on Dec 24th, otherwise open every day from 10am to 6pm.
• Fotografiska (photography)- closed only on Dec 24th!
• Moderna (modern art)- closed on Mondays and Dec 24th to 26th, Dec 31st and Jan 1st.
• Center for Architecture and Design- closed on Mondays and Dec 24th to 26th, Dec 31st and Jan 1st.
• Nobel Museum- closed on Mondays and Dec 24th, 25th, 31st and Jan 1st. 
• Historiska (Swedish history)- closed on Mondays, Dec 24th, 25th and Dec 31st. Open on Dec 26th (a Monday) from noon to 6pm. 
• Nordiska (nordic traditions)- closed on Dec 24th, 25th and 31st. 
• Medeltidsmuseet (medieval history)- closed on Mondays, Dec 24th, 25th, 31st and Jan 1st. Open on Dec 26th (a Monday) from noon to 5pm. 
• Stadshuset (city hall)- closed for tours on Dec 24th, 25th, 26th and Jan 1st. Shorter hours on other days during this period.
• Spritmuseum (spirits- as in adult beverages)- closed Dec 24th, 25th, 31st and Jan 1st. 
• The Royal Palace- closed on Dec 24th and 25th. The Royal Apartments will be open on Dec 31st and Jan 1st.
• Livrustkammaren (the royal armoury)- closed on Mondays and Dec 24th to 26th, Dec 31st and Jan 1st. 
• Millesgården (art & sculpture)- closed Mondays and Dec 24th & 25th. Open on Dec 26th (a Monday) from 11am to 5pm. Closes early on Dec 31st (3pm).
• Thielska Galleriet (art)- closed on Mondays, Dec 24th, 25th, 26th, 31st and Jan 1st. Open on Jan 2nd (a Monday) from noon to 5pm.
• Waldemarsudde (art)- closed on Mondays and Dec 24th, 25th, 26th and 31st. 
• Drottningholm Palace- closed between Dec 12th and 30th. Open daily from Dec 31st to Jan 8th (Swedish winter school break).
• Naturhistoriska (natural history)- closed Mondays and Dec 23rd and 24th. Open on Dec 26th (a Monday). 
• Junibacken (the world of Astrid Lindgren)- closed Dec 23rd to 25th. 

These are just the main museums. There are scores more! If you are staying at the Rival Hotel and are interested in other museums, drop me a line or stop by my desk. 

Strömma's Winter boat tour. Photo by Magnus Rietz © All rights reserved.

There is more luck when it comes to sightseeing tours. The main company Strömma has tours daily all through this period. However, keep in mind that it is the low season and not many tours are available (as opposed to the summer high season). You definitely have the Panorama bus tour and the Winter boat tour every day. The company Free Tour Stockholm offers daily tours during the holiday season. Contact me directly for information regarding other tour companies.