The air is thick with anticipation and the aroma of mulled wine as Swedish viewers prepare for their beloved Christmas Eve tradition: television programming featuring entertainment, charity, and festive spirit. This year, various popular shows are set to delight audiences, with familiar faces gracing the screens and engaging content planned across multiple channels.
Among the highlights is "Cyklopernas land," which will air on SVT2 and SVT Play. This program, hosted by the charismatic Christopher Garplind, promises to offer viewers not only music and entertainment but also charming behind-the-scenes moments. For example, the show kicks off with Carl Jan Granqvist, known for his culinary prowess, delighting guests with the tasting of three different aged mulled wines, ranging from 20 years old to recent selections. Granqvist quips about needing to warm up now and then, adding, “I hope the mulled wine helps against the cold too!”
Star-studded gatherings set the tone for the evening, with celebrities mingling and sharing laughs before the cameras roll. Among the attendees is popular author Stig Larsson, seated comfortably with fellow writers and artists, as they take part in providing whimsical rhymes for Christmas gifts. Shekoni, also participating this year, notes, “I think people don’t want us to rhyme too well. It has to have some tension!”
On the same airing evening, the illustrious Bingolotto returns for its 30th edition of "uppesittarkväll." This show, hosted by Lotta Engberg and Daniel Norberg, has become synonymous with the holiday season for many families coming together to share the joy of games and tightly contested bingo calls. Fredrik Wingbro, press officer for Bingolotto, described this moment as, “the perfect occasion to sit down, enjoy the first slice of ham, and find the right time to break out the bingo cards.” Expected revenues from this year’s event are projected at 142 million SEK, marking an 11 million SEK increase from the previous year, reinforcing the show’s significance to local charities and community initiatives.
Add to the mix the beloved "Allsång på Skansen," which will host its own julspecial. Under the direction of Pernilla Wahlgren, the program will feature renowned artists including Laleh, Marcus & Martinus, and Mapei. This year, they are transforming the usual summer scenery to one filled with winter charm, with detailed decorations to fit the festive spirit. During pre-show interviews, Wahlgren humorously remarked, “The audience will have to dress warmly, and perhaps the applause will be quieter due to all the mittens.”
The entire evening is not just meant for entertainment; it is also about fostering community connections and supporting local initiatives, as these shows serve as vibrant platforms to promote engagement and awareness. With such assorted programming, many viewers find it a joy-filled opportunity to gather with loved ones, share experiences, and create memories before the holiday feasts begin.
Competitors may arise, but each program carves its unique niche with engaging charm and diversified entertainment. Christopher Garplind insightfully noted, “There’s something for everyone,” indicating the collective experience of traditional values mixed with modern-day entertainment.
For many, the "uppesittarkväll" is as much about gathering as it is about the shows themselves—an evening steeped in shared laughter, anticipation of the holidays, and deepening family bonds before the festive meals take place. With such exciting offerings lined up for this year’s Christmas Eve programming, viewers can expect warmth, joy, and perhaps even a touch of nostalgia as they settle down for what has become ingrained in the heart of Swedish Christmas traditions.
