Liten gata med mycket snö som går mellan röda hus en vinterkväll

Christmas starts with the Christmas weekend in Gävle

As obvious as it is time to light the first candle in the Advent candlestick, it is time for the inauguration of the Gävlebock and the whole of Christmas begins in Gävle this first Advent weekend! A warm welcome to our Christmas city, we are presenting a whole smorgasbord of activities that will fill the whole weekend with heart-warming, festive and action-packed experiences.

Welcome to experience Christmas and stroll past the Gävle Goat

Gävle holds its breath and anticipation is in the air. This Friday, the Gävle Goat's beard is combed and the candles are lit in the horns. Take an evening walk past and look for him in Rådhusesplanaden next to Rådhustorget on the way to or from dinner at the evening's restaurant. Friday coziness reaches a new level.

Hotelllobby med bord stolar, kamin och en fondvägg med ett konstverk

Sleep well at Scandic CH all your Christmas weekend

Welcome to Gävle! Maybe you come by train, in which case you go to Scandic CH in a few minutes, a cozy hotel right next to Gävle Central. Here you live in the center of the action with very short distances to all the weekend's activities.

Take us there

Sallad, ugnspotatis och en raw steak upplagd på planka

Smoky, roasty dinner at Blackstone Steakhouse

Food that's buzzing about. Of warmth, passion and taste - you will be very involved! Not to mention the desserts! Maybe you'll find a new favorite. Here you start the evening before you move on into the sparkling Friday evening.

Take us there

70 kg gingerbread dough, cellfies and sparkling skating

Good morning! Welcome to a day filled with nice, joyful, emotional and adrenaline-pumping experiences when Gävle invites you to enjoy the entire range of emotions. We unashamedly mix culture, culinary arts, history and sport. Everything is prepared and embedded in a warm Christmas atmosphere.

Erik Olof Wiklunds pepparkakshus, detaljer från fönster och hela huset i ett fotomontage.

Find the Christmas feeling with the Gingerbread House at Länsmuseet Gävleborg

You will smell it even before you step into the beautiful building that began construction in 1938, but you won't get to taste, just be captivated by the fantastic construction of about 70 kg of dough and a lot of pastry! Every year a new gingerbread house is designed and it is an immensely popular destination. The Christmas mood seems to weigh down in the stomach from this feast for the eyes!

The world's largest?

Kvinna med en läskig mask över huvudet

Capture the important history at Sweden's Prison Museum

Let yourself be touched and moved by history, take part in how people lived in captivity in the past. History comes close and it can be extra nice to hold someone's hand. The old cell prison is also perfect for a "Cellfie". Then take a walk to a cafe, digest your experience and feel grateful for the Christmas feeling.

Take us there

Isbana utanför ståtlig byggnad vintertid

Skates on Rådhustorget

Lace up your skates and slide out onto the freshly groomed ice rink opposite Gävlebocken. Gävle's own version of the one at Rockefeller Center invites you to ice dance or the occasional pirouette. However you go about it, enjoy the surroundings as a start to the evening.

Slide here

The opening of the Gävlebock - the day is here!

The inauguration day of the Gävlebok, a Christmas symbol all over the world, is here. It feels festive and all day until it's time there are lots of activities to build anticipation with. Everything is fun, exciting and festive. Let yourself be drawn into the atmosphere.

Tåg målat som ett pepparkakståg i skymningen

Join us on a festive train adventure - ride the Gingerbread Train

The completely unique Gingerbread train runs this year from Dalarna, it is possible to travel the route Falun - Gävle. The trip is a single journey from Falun to Gävle, with boarding and disembarking along the route. On board, you write your wish list to Santa, which is mailed in an old-fashioned mail sack. Enjoy coffee in the Christmas-decorated cafe wagon.

To the train

En bild på tomten, elsa i Slottsparken och ett tipitält i bakgrunden

Christmas fun in Slottsparken - Christmas markets in the city

Bring out the child in you and enjoy everything that happens during Christmas Fun in Slottsparken, during this family event. Games and competitions are mixed with the opportunity to have coffee and Christmas music. A perfect upload for all ages before the opening of the Gävle Goat!

 

Christmas fun 

Gävlebocken en kväll med nosen mot ett flerbostadshus

Inauguration of the Gävle Goat - a magical end to your Christmas weekend

Welcome to experience the inauguration of the Gävle Goat on site, this Christmas tradition. Embrace the experience and join in the "hand-clap-applause" when you are part of this thunderous Christmas show with the Gävle Goat in the center, it's pure magic! When the inauguration is over, it is clear - Christmas begins in Gävle!

To the party