Bright festive season for Stockholm Christmas shoppers

It promises to be a bright and cosy December for Christmas shoppers in Stockholm, with the city's streets and squares bathed in festive lights like never before.

The City of Stockholm and cooperative project for inner city stakeholders City i Samverkan (City in Cooperation), which is responsible for planning Christmas lights and decorations around the city, aim to make Stockholm one of Europe's top Christmas shopping destinations.

"[The project] Stockholm Christmas is a good initiative from both industry and the city to raise the profile of Stockholm as Scandinavia's foremost Christmas destination," said Stockholm's city commissioner for traffic issues Ulla Hamilton.

"Together we can create a Christmas spirit that is not just beautiful but also contributes to an even safer town."

The city lights are not only meant to emphasise Stockholm's festive charm but to strengthen the city's international appeal. The goal is to increase tourism during the Christmas season, improving trade for retailers and hotel occupancy rates.

"The project, 'Stockholm Christmas', will be one of Europe's largest cohesive lighting projects where the city's property owners are the initiators," said City i Samverkan's CEO Per Eriksson.

This article was published in collaboration between Stockholm Business Region and The Swedish Wire.