Let’s celebrate Halloween in Stockholm

At the end of October, the days in Stockholm are already down to around 9 hours of daylight. With the sun setting at four in the afternoon, there is plenty of time to enjoy the darker hours of the day. And those hours are perfect for a spooky Halloween experience.

Sweden embraced Halloween in the late 80s and early 90s when bars in the bigger city’s started to have special Halloween nights. It took a little longer for the more child-related part of the holiday to come over from America, though dressing up is part of Swedish Easter traditions. Here are some of our favourite Halloween experiences for both kids and adults in Stockholm.

Halloween falls in the middle of the autumn school holidays in Stockholm, which gives attractions and museums the perfect opportunity to go all out for the occasion. Stockholm’s amusement park doesn’t do anything by halves for Halloween. The entire park is turned into a creepy and cosy paradise. For those who enjoy screaming there are 4 horror houses, attractions have been given a terrifying make-over and scary characters await just around the corner.

There is even a brand new horror house this year, Zombiesta, and a haunted ski resort unlike any other too. If horror houses aren’t quite on your wish list, you can wander around Lilla Området. Here, you’ll find pumpkins, spiderwebs, funny witches and hot chocolate. Twice a day a horror parade will make its way through the park, with scary characters and creatures to make sure everyone gets that a thrilling experience at Gröna Lund.

During the autumn holidays, the Royal Armoury opens its crafting workshop so that everyone can be ready for a masquerade. In the 18th century masquerades were the most popular parties in town, as everyone could hide their identity and pretend to be someone else for the night. In the Royal Armoury's crafting workshop visitors will be able to create their own mask.

Will you be inspired by Gustav III's masquerade mask or will you create something original? This activity is fun for all, including those who don't speak Swedish. While the kids create their masks, parents can explore the some of the Swedish Royal family's treasures.

On Saturday 2 November Europe’s largest Halloween festival and parade takes over the streets of Stockholm, specifically around Kungsträdgården and in Gamla Stan. This year will be the fourteenth anniversary of Shockholm, with thousands of people dressed up for the event. Before the parade gets started, a costume contest is held in different age categories.

The pre-party starts at Kungsträdgården at 2 in the afternoon, an hour later the parade makes it way through Gamla Stan and back again. After the parade, the costume contest winners are announced and there is live entertainment and fun activities for all ages.

This tour is not for the little ones, especially around Halloween. Over the course of 90 minutes, the guide will take you through Gamla Stan in a way unlike any other. Along the way, you’ll hear stories of murder, myths, mysteries, executions, assassinations, and diseases, that shaped the history of Stockholm.

If there is enough time, you might even step off the street and enter a haunted building. History and legends come to life during the Ghost Walk. There are tours in English and Swedish, starting at different times, so make sure to choose the one that is right for you.

Skokloster Castle, a magnificent Baroque palace nestled in the Swedish countryside, offers a truly enchanting experience during the autumn months. Built in the late 17th century, this 350-year-old castle is steeped in history and legend, creating a perfect atmosphere for a spooky Halloween celebration. As the days grow shorter and the nights draw near, the castle takes on a mysterious aura. 

Tales of ghostly apparitions and the echoes of unseen footsteps have circulated for generations. Some visitors claim to have felt a chilling presence in certain rooms, while others have reported hearing strange noises in the quiet corridors. During the autumn break, Skokloster Castle opens its doors to families seeking a unique and thrilling adventure.

For a night time activity that is for the little ones, a Night at the Nordic Museum might be exactly what you are looking for. This night offers an interactive museum experience unlike any other. Rumour has it that a time machine has gone out of control in the attic of the Nordiska Museet, bringing creatures from the future and the past into the museum!

The museum needs help to reprogramme the machine, and kids between the ages of 6 and 10 would be perfect for the job. The walks through the museum filled with creatures takes around 50 minutes, and includes lots of stairs (so best not to bring a pram). You need a separate ticket for the Night at the museum, as your regular daytime ticket does not give you access.