Celebrate Christmas twice this year. In Åland Lillajul (“Little Christmas”) is celebrated on the Saturday before the first day of Advent. Lillajul is an old Åland tradition that is celebrated with a small Christmas tree, some good food and little presents for the children. For many Ålander families the celebrations include a visit to the Lillajulmarknaden (“Little Christmas” market) at Jan Karlsgården.
More information, more markets and other Advent events are to be found on our events calendar. Lillajulmarknaden is the first and biggest of the Christmas markets in Åland. Visit a Christmas market and experience the warm atmosphere and all the familiar Christmas scents and flavours. Here you’ll find everything to do with Christmas – and a bit more!
The big Lillajulmarknaden at Jan Karlsgården
Many Ålanders start their “Little Christmas” on the Saturday before the first day of Advent with a visit to the Lillajulmarknad at Jan Karlsgården. It is Åland’s oldest market and is a highly cherished tradition. It’s an experience in itself just to walk around among the beautiful old buildings in the museum grounds. Both indoors and out there are plenty of market tables stacked with arts and crafts, handmade candles, oat sheaves, Christmas decorations, sweets, home-baked bread, excellent food and much more. You can take your wish list to Father Christmas in the main building. Round off your visit with some mulled wine in Kastelholm Castle.
Date Saturday 1 December 2012
Time 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Bus leaves from Mariehamn at 10 a.m. and comes back from the market at 12 noon
Christmas market in Mariehamn
There is a Christmas market in the square on Independence Weekend – both on Independence Day on 6 December and on the day before. It’s a tradition in Mariehamn. The traffic is blocked off and the whole of Torggatan between Sittkoffs Galleria and the square is full of market stalls. You’ll find everything you need for Christmas here.
Date Wednesday 5 Dec and Thursday 6 Dec 2012
Time 9.00 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Good quality arts and crafts at Christmas market in the Sjökvarteret (Maritime Quarter)
When the Stiftelsen Sjökvarteret, Salt and Guldviva associations organise their annual Christmas market in the Sjökvarteret in Mariehamn, there is a huge selection of good quality arts and crafts to choose from. A market with Father Christmas, Christmas tree, Christmas music and plenty of atmosphere. The whole of the Sjökvarteret, including the museum and artisan shops, is open and you’ll find plenty of excellent Christmas presents among the beautiful Åland arts and crafts on display.
Date Saturday 15 Dec and Sunday 16 Dec 2012
Time 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
More information, more markets and other Advent events are to be found on our events calendar.
Visit Åland