A julbord in Stockholm in 2026 works best for a team when the evening has two parts: a shared activity first, then the Christmas meal. The activity mixes people before they sit down, so the dinner does not split into the usual small groups. This guide covers the julbord itself, a sample timeline, group sizes and prices at Questrooms on Södermalm, the Christmas package with dinner, and what Skatteverket says about julfest and tax.
What is a julbord?
A julbord, literally "Christmas table", is the Swedish Christmas buffet that families and workplaces gather around in December. A classic table has several kinds of pickled herring, cured salmon, meatballs, small sausages called prinskorv, Janssons frestelse and a dessert table with pepparkakor. For companies it has become the default shape of the Christmas party.
If part of your team is new to Sweden, two details help in the invitation. Janssons frestelse is a creamy potato and anchovy bake, and lussekatter are saffron buns tied to Sankta Lucia on 13 December. Nobody needs to know any of this to enjoy the evening, but a line in the invite makes newcomers feel expected rather than lost.
What is a good activity to combine with a company julbord in Stockholm?
A good activity before a company julbord is one where the whole team plays at the same time and finishes together, so everyone sits down to eat at once. At Questrooms on Södermalm, teams of 8 to 44 people play escape rooms and VR games in parallel in a 1.5 to 2.5 hour package, then continue to dinner.
A julbord on its own is still a meal. People sit with the colleagues they already know, a few speeches follow, and the evening ends early. A game in mixed teams changes the seating before the food arrives: put people from different departments in the same room, and they have something to talk about at the table. The activity also gives quieter colleagues a role, since a 60-minute game needs someone who spots patterns as much as someone who talks.
Julbord in Stockholm 2026: the Christmas package
From late November to mid December, Questrooms runs a Christmas package: a 1.5-hour adventure at Questrooms plus a Christmas dinner with the restaurant partner Udda. You send one request and get one plan for both parts. The price and the menu for 2026 are given on request, through the julbord page or by email to hello@questrooms.se.
You choose the activity part:
- Indoor escape rooms and VR: the team splits across the classic rooms and the VR rooms at Kocksgatan 21A, a few minutes' walk from Medborgarplatsen. Escape the Worlds takes up to 8 players in one shared VR game in BACK-TO-BACK co-op mode.
- Outdoor AR on Södermalm: teams walk a route of a few kilometres in the Katarina-Sofia area with an iPad per team, starting and ending at Kocksgatan 21A.
- At your own office: Quest to Go brings an AR spy mission to your premises for up to 500 players, with the price for large groups given on request.
Write dietary needs, such as vegetarian food or allergies, in the request so the restaurant can plan for them.
How much does a julbord evening at Questrooms cost?
The activity part of a julbord evening at Questrooms costs 389 SEK per person in the team packages. On weekdays with a start between 12:00 and 15:00, and for groups over 35 people, the price is 349 SEK per person; ask us which package the weekday price applies to. The Christmas package with dinner is priced on request.
| Package | Group size | Format | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Team Start | 8 to 12 | 2 groups play at once and compete for the best time | 1.5 hours |
| Team Boost | 13 to 22 | 3 groups play all rooms at the same time | 1.5 hours |
| Business Challenge | 23 to 32 | 4 groups, two play while two have fika in the lounge, then swap | 2.5 hours |
| Corporate Takeover | 33 to 44 | 6 groups, the whole venue for your team | 2.5 hours |
The event price calculator gives an estimate for your exact headcount before you send a request.
A sample timeline for the evening
Events at Questrooms start with arrival at 11:30, 13:00, 14:30, 16:00, 17:30, 19:00 or 20:30. The game begins about 15 minutes after arrival and lasts up to 60 minutes. Here is an example for a team of 20 arriving at 16:00:
| Time | What happens |
|---|---|
| 16:00 | Arrival, jackets hung up, briefing from the game masters |
| 16:15 | Three groups start their games at the same time |
| 17:15 | Games end, results and a short debrief |
| 17:30 | The team leaves for dinner |
| From 18:00 | Julbord |
For 23 to 44 people, the activity takes 2.5 hours because the groups play in two rounds, with fika in the lounge between them. Plan dinner for about 18:30 with a 16:00 arrival. A weekday start between 12:00 and 15:00 can cost 349 SEK per person (ask us which package it applies to) and leaves the evening free.
Is a julbord a tax-free benefit for employees?
Yes. Skatteverket describes julbord and staff parties as internal representation and a tax-free benefit for employees (checked October 2026). If family members of employees join a staff party that meets those conditions, the tax-free rules apply to them too. For the employer, deductions are allowed for at most two staff parties a year.
A Christmas gift follows a separate rule: in 2026 it is tax-free up to 600 SEK including VAT, according to Skatteverket.
A planning checklist
- Fix the date and the headcount first. The package follows the number of people, and the Christmas package runs only from late November to mid December.
- Pick an arrival time that leaves room for dinner: 16:00 or 17:30 for an evening julbord, 13:00 for a weekday lunch event.
- Send one request with the date, the number of people, dietary needs and the preferred language. The game masters run the games in English or Swedish.
- Add invoice details if the company pays by invoice: company name, reference person, billing address, invoice email and a phone number.
- Share the practical details: Kocksgatan 21A, Södermalm, near Medborgarplatsen. Casual clothes work, there are lockers for bags, and the FAQ answers the rest.
FAQ
How long does the activity before the julbord take?
The activity at Questrooms takes 1.5 hours for 8 to 22 people, with all groups playing at the same time. For 23 to 44 people it takes 2.5 hours, because the groups play in two rounds while the others have fika in the lounge. Arrive at the booked time, and the game starts about 15 minutes later.
What happens if fewer colleagues come than we booked?
Questrooms charges for the players who actually play, as long as the number of booked rooms stays the same. To cancel rooms you no longer need, contact Questrooms at least 48 hours before the event. A later cancellation costs 1,000 SEK per room, so update the headcount as soon as it changes.
Can the julbord activity take place at our own office?
Yes. Quest to Go brings an AR spy mission to your office or venue for up to 500 players, who play at the same time in teams of 5 to 7. You need one room for the intro and the awards. The game takes 60 to 90 minutes and ends with a debrief and prizes.
Can the company pay for the julbord activity by invoice?
Yes. Companies can pay Questrooms by invoice. Write the company name, the reference person, the billing address, the invoice email and a phone number in the booking comment or in an email. The invoice arrives as a PDF by email, so the person who books can also handle the payment.
Plan your julbord
Send the date, the number of people and any dietary needs through the Christmas package page if you want dinner included, or through the team building page for the activity only. Questrooms answers within one business day with times and a price for your group.