Christmas arrives in Umeå city centre with a market, outdoor cinema, Christmas tree lights and an unusually large postbox with a direct line to Santa. Here are some of the season’s events — for a family outing, a break from Christmas shopping or a chance to show visiting friends how we do December in Umeå.
Times and more information about the events will be updated continuously.
28 November–21 December | Äppellunden, Rådhustorget
Christmas wish list ready? Good. Santa has placed a large postbox right in the city centre where children can post their letters. The postbox will be there until 21 December, with the final collection at 16:00. After that, the letters head north. Or so we assume.
28 November, 11:00–15:00 | Sveagatan
Sveagatan gets into the Christmas spirit for a day. Browse crafts, flowers and homemade treats, and warm your hands with a cup of glögg — Swedish mulled wine — or hot chocolate while looking for something to put under the tree.
30 November, from 13:00 | Rådhustorget
An outdoor cinema in late November? Absolutely. At 13:00, settle in for Pettson och Findus – Tomtemaskinen, a Christmas adventure featuring Pettson and his cat Findus. At 14:30, the lights on the square’s large Christmas tree will be switched on, with fires to warm up by and reindeer hides on the seats. The screenings continue at 15:00 with the Swedish film Äppelkriget (The Apple War). Dress for the weather — particularly useful advice in Umeå in November.
29 November–13 December | Umeå city centre
How much do you know about Christmas — and Umeå city centre? Follow the Quizmas trail around town and answer questions for a chance to win a hamper of Christmas treats. The quiz opens at 13:00 on 29 November, and the last day to enter is 13 December.
12 December, 13:00 | Rådhustorget
Put on your Santa hat and bring your best dance moves. Santa will be playing music and dancing along with children ready to join the party. Expect a square full of little Santas with plenty of energy to spare.
12 December, 14:00 | Umeå city centre
Suddenly, the city centre is full of Santas — and this time, they’re on the move. Santa Run is a relaxed event: walk, jog or run, as long as you’re dressed as Santa. The route is approximately 1 kilometre for younger participants and 4 kilometres for adults, with everyone setting off together.
13 December, 14:00 | Starting at Renmarkstorget
Experience Lucia, a Swedish December tradition that brings light and song to the winter darkness. The procession starts at Renmarkstorget and continues through the Utopia and MVG shopping centres and the Väven cultural centre, with traditional Lucia and Christmas songs along the way.
