Visit a Christmas market and experience the warm atmosphere with the familiar Christmas scents and flavours. Jan Karlsgården’s Christmas Market is the first and biggest of the Christmas markets in Åland. The Christmas market in the maritime quarter Sjökvarteret as well as in the market square in Mariehamn are hugely popular. What’s more, several smaller Christmas markets will be held in the countryside and in the archipelago before Christmas.

Traditional Little Christmas Market at Jan Karlsgården’s open-air museum

“Little Christmas” – lillajul – is celebrated on the Saturday before the first Advent. It’s an old tradition and celebrated with a small Christmas tree, dishes from the Christmas buffet and a gift for the children. For many families in Åland the celebrations include a visit to the Christmas Market at Jan Karlsgården.

The Christmas market at Jan Karlsgården is Åland’s oldest market and is a highly cherished tradition. To just walk around among the beautiful old buildings in the museum grounds is an experience in itself. There are plenty of market tables both indoors and outdoors stacked with arts and crafts, handmade candles, oat sheaves, Christmas decorations, sweets, home-baked bread 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. You can also visit the jail museum Vita Björn during the Christmas market. The café Jan Karlsgårdens Wärdshus is open during the market as well as the nearby restaurant Smakbyn.

Christmas market in Mariehamn

When the Christmas market in the market square in Mariehamn is held, the street between Sittkoffs’ market place and the market square is closed for traffic and converted to a market place full of market stalls. You’ll find everything you need for Christmas here – handicrafts, arts, candles, honey, bread and pastries, sweets and drinks. There are several cosy cafés around the town centre where you can enjoy a nicely warming cup of coffee after your walk at the Christmas market.

Christmas market in Maritime Quarter

The annual Christmas market in the maritime quarter Sjökvarteret in Mariehamn is popular among many visitors. There is a huge selection of good quality arts and crafts to choose from at the market with a Christmas tree, Christmas music and lots 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.

Christmas Markets and Events

More information, more markets and other Advent events are to be found on our events calendar. Please remember to bring cash as many of the markets don’t accept bank or credit cards. See you at the Christmas markets in Åland!