Holidays at the Museum

Event details, including pricing and registration information, are available on our event page using the links below.

Holiday Crafts & Candle Making

Monday, Nov. 17, 6 p.m.

Come and make your own hand-dipped candle, it’s a fun part of making Christmas crafts at the Museum.
While the candles are drying we make other Swedish decorations.

Got Glögg?

Friday, Nov. 21, 7 p.m.

Glögg (mulled wine) is a vital part of the Christmas season for Swedes.
Join us for a fun competition to see who really has the best glögg in Chicago!

Julmarknad

Friday, Dec. 5 (Preview Sale): 4 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 6: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 7: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m..

The Museum's holiday market will be back the first full weekend in December. You can browse through a wide variety of products from our wonderful vendors to find gifts for loved ones or to treat yourself. There will be performances and visits from Tomten. Enjoy delicious Swedish treats as well. You won't want to miss this special holiday tradition.

Breakfast With Tomten

Saturday, Dec. 13 & Sunday, Dec. 14, 9 a.m.

Join us for a special Swedish meal and a visit from Tomten at this holiday event for the whole family. The event will begin at 9 a.m. and conclude at approximately 11 a.m. It is recommended that you arrive as close to 9 a.m. as possible in order to ensure that your party will be seated together. Please note that this event follows a schedule and is not a drop-in breakfast. The morning begins with crafts for family enjoyment with breakfast being served at approximately 9:30 a.m. Other activities, including visits with Tomten, will follow breakfast. Late arrivals are not guaranteed breakfast and parties may be seated separately.

Lucia

Saturday, Dec. 13

4 p.m. Crowning of Lucia at the Swedish American Museum

4:45 p.m. Procession starts at the Museum and goes to Catalpa Ave.
5 p.m. Performance at the Christmas Tree on Catalpa Ave.
7 p.m. Ebenezer Lutheran Church, 1650 W. Foster Ave.

Lucia is celebrated on Dec. 13 in Sweden and we honor this special day along with our Andersonville neighbors. St. Lucia was known for her generous spirit. Children dress up as St. Lucia, wearing crowns of candles and singing throughout the neighborhood, and someone will be crowned this year's Lucia. At the Museum, we will have a performance by our Lucia candidates and a procession on Clark Street by all St. Lucia participants, including children playing the part of Star Boys as well. This is one of the most special neighborhood holiday traditions.

Julgudstjänst

Sunday, Dec. 21, 4 p.m.

Ebenezer Lutheran Church

1650 W. Foster Ave.

Chicago, IL 60640

You are invited to join us for a traditional Christmas church service, held in Swedish,

at Ebenezer Lutheran Church just west of the Museum.

Julmiddag

Sunday, Dec. 21, 5 p.m.

A festive and traditional Swedish Christmas smörgåsbord will be served. Children are invited to participate in a St. Lucia procession, and there will be a special visit from Tomten. Food provided by Tre Kronor Restaurant.