FESTIVALS, HOLIDAYS AND OTHER ANNUAL EVENTS IN Stockholm

There are a number of festivals, holidays and other events celebrated in Stockholm each year. The main ones are listed below:

In general, Epiphany concludes the Christmas season. However, many Stockholmers traditionally keep the festivities going for an extra week and keep the Christmas tree until January 13, St. Knut's Day.

This pagan festival dates back to the Vikings, who gathered around a bonfire each year at this time to bid farewell to winter. Today, in addition to a famous bonfire at Riddarholmen, Stockholm residents usher in the spring with folk dancing, torchlight processions, student choirs, and general merry-making on all of the Swedish capital's main squares.

On that day, Stockholmers gather in various parks for picnic parties organised by labour unions. It is an opportunity for workers to meet other colleagues in a festive atmosphere.

Swedes celebrate their independence from Denmark and the election of King Gustav Vasa on this day in 1523. This commemorative day includes several official celebrations.

After Christmas, this is the most important festival of the year in Sweden. To celebrate the summer solstice, Swedes raise the maypole and dance around it, especially in rural areas, also taking part in games and activities like wreath making. Families share a traditional meal consisting of pickled herring, boiled new potatoes with fresh dill. In Stockholm, people not leaving for the countryside decorate their homes lavishly, don traditional costumes and enjoy folk music, dancing and drinking.

According to tradition, the night of December 13 is the longest of winter. In order to light up those long hours of darkness, Stockholmers elect their new Saint Lucy, the “carrier of the light”. A series of concerts conclude the celebrations in grand fashion in the Stockholm cathedral.

CLIMATE AND WEATHER IN Stockholm

Month	Min. Average Temperature (°C/F°)	Max. Average Temperature (°C/F°)	Average Rains (MM)	Best Time to Travel
January	-5/23	-1/30	39/1.5	Not the best period to go
February	-5/23	-1/30	27/1.1	Not the best period to go
March	-3/27	3/37	26/1.0	Good period to go
April	1/34	9/48	30/1.2	Good period to go
May	6/43	15/59	30/1.2	Good period to go
June	11/52	21/70	45/1.8	Good period to go
July	13/55	22/72	72/2.8	Good period to go
August	13/55	20/68	66/2.6	Good period to go
September	9/48	15/59	55/2.2	Not the best period to go
October	5/41	10/50	50/2.0	Not the best period to go
November	1/34	4/39	53/2.1	Not the best period to go
December	-3/27	1/34	46/1.8	Not the best period to go

Stockholm Arlanda International Airport

The Stockholm's Arlanda International Airport, the largest in Sweden and the third largest in the Nordic countries, is located in the city of Sigtuna, about 42 km (26 miles) north of the city centre.

• Four terminals
  • Terminal 2 (Air France)
  • Terminal 3
  • Terminal 4
  • Terminal 5

• By car
  • Accessible via the E4 Northwards. It takes about 40 minutes to reach the city centre.
  • Several short and long-term parking facilities are available, in proximity to all four terminals. Rates range from SEK 100 for 1 hour to SEK 290 to 360 for 1 day.
  • Several car rental companies have counters at Terminal 2. Others have counters at the airport's car rental centre or at the low-price Alfa parking facility, with free bus transfers from Terminals 2, 3, 4 and 5.
• By bus
  • Buses run between the airport and central Stockholm every ten minutes and the trip to the city centre takes about 45 minutes. The adult fare is SEK 99 one way.
• By train
  • The Arlanda Express train runs between the airport and central Stockholm in 20 minutes. The fare is SEK 299 one way.
• By taxi
  • Taxis are available at the ranks outside the terminals. Price for one to four passengers going to the same address in central Stockholm is around SEK 675.

• Services: shops, bars and restaurants, free Internet access (Wi-Fi) available in the airport.
• Telephone: +46 (0)10 109 10 00
• Website: https://www.swedavia.com/arlanda

GETTING AROUND Stockholm

The Swedish capital is served by a public transport system and urban infrastructures that allow visitors to explore the city easily.

By rail

Stockholm's Metro, the Tunnelbana (also known as the T-bana), with a network serving some 100 stations, is certainly the most convenient way to get around the city. Trains operate from 5 a.m. to 1 a.m. on weekdays and until 3 a.m. on weekends.

Fares:

• Single ticket valid for 75 minutes: SEK 37 (full fare) / SEK 25 (reduced fare, for youths under 20 and seniors)
• 24-hour Travelcard: SEK 155 (full price) / SEK 105 (reduced price)
• 72-hour Travelcard: SEK 310 (full price) / SEK 210 (reduced price)
• 7-day Travelcard: SEK 405 (full price) / SEK 270 (reduced price)

By bus

Stockholm has an efficient network of bus routes offering extensive coverage of the city. Two routes are particularly of interest for visitors: bus line 7, which runs from Sergels Torg to Djurgården (Waldemarsudde stop), and bus line 54, which runs from Centralen to the museums in Ladugårdsgärdet park (Kallskärsgatan stop). SEK 37 (full fare) / SEK 25 (reduced fare, for youths under 20 and seniors)

By car

As much as possible, it is recommended to avoid driving in central Stockholm. The city plan makes traffic dense and parking is both scarce and pricey.

By taxi

Taxis are plentiful in Stockholm. The initial charge is SEK 45, then SEK 10 to SEK 13 per kilometre.

By bicycle

Bikes are an excellent way to get around Stockholm. A particularly spread-out network of bike lanes ensures safety of all riders. City Bikes, a self-service bike rental system (available from April to October) spread around 150 stations across town makes them easy to use. For further information, please visit www.citybikes.se/en

Visitor information

Upon your arrival in Stockholm, you can get in touch with local tourism professionals for further information and to help organise your stay.

Offers information and useful recommendations (accommodation, restaurants, public transport, festivals, cultural events, etc.).

• Address: Kulturhuset, Sergels Torg 3, 103 27 Stockholm

• Telephone: +46 (0)8 508 28 508
• Website: https://www.visitstockholm.com/

Currency and Exchange Rates

The currency used in Sweden is the Swedish Krona (SEK).

$1 = k8.29

k1 = $0.12

The above exchange rate is given for information because is variable.

Medical information

In order to travel in the best conditions and for your health and safety, we invite you to check all information regarding preventive measures and best practices to be respected, available on the official website of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs: https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/country-files/

Your comfort, well-being and health are at the heart of Air France's concerns, and we want to help you prepare for your trip in the best way possible. Find out more about the measures taken to ensure safe travelling on our website: https://www.airfrance.fr/FR/en/common/page_flottante/information/coronavirus.htm#notre-engagement-sanitaire

See your doctor before you travel. It is also recommended to take out insurance covering medical expenses and repatriation before your trip. Stockholm counts several hospitals and medical institutions, as well as quality medical practitioners and health specialists.

There are no vaccination requirements for visitors to Sweden. For more information, contact Air France's international vaccination centre:

• Address: 38 quai de Jemmapes, 75010 Paris
• Website: https://www.vaccinations-airfrance.fr/
• Telephone: +33 (0)1 43 17 22 00
• To make a vaccination appointment:
  • online (click here)
  • call the centre at +33 (0)1 43 17 22 00

Tap water is safe to drink in Stockholm.

Administrative formalities

Entry requirements for Sweden

For stays of less than three months, travellers from the Schengen area, as well as those from the countries of the European Union not included in the area, need only be in possession of a national identity card or a passport valid for the duration of their stay. As a general rule, travellers from all other countries are subject to visa requirements, although foreign nationals from certain countries may enter Sweden for up to 90 days for tourism or business purposes. For further information, visit the website of the Office of the Swedish Federal Foreign Office :

http://www.migrationsverket.se/English/Private-individuals/Visiting-Sweden/Tourists-visas.html

Useful addresses

To enjoy peace of mind during your stay in Stockholm, visit the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of your country.

Essential phrases

Good to know

+46

+ phone number (without 0)

6 : 00
of time difference with
New York

Start of daylight saving time: last Sunday in March
End of daylight saving time: last Sunday in October

BANKS
Usually open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

GOVERNMENT OFFICES
Usually open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

230 V / 50 Hz

Tipping
In Stockholm as in the rest of Sweden, a service charge is usually already included in restaurant bills and taxi fares, but you can certainly reward good service with a 10% tip.