Liseberg in Gothenburg in Sweden is the greatest amusement park in Scandinavia. In summertime it has 35 attractions to offer. And a lot of different entertainments on stage. In wintertime it has around 20 attractions to offer. Yes, that´s correct. Attractions in the winter. (Remember that we in most cases have snow in Sweden). Liseberg has something called ”Christmas at Liseberg”. It starts in the middle of November and at this time 4 768 220 Christmas lights light up the park. That´s quite many lights if you ask me.

Liseberg
Liseberg got its name from Johan Anders Lamberg, who bought the park in 1753 and named it after his wife, Elisabeth who was called Lisa. He namned the park ”Lisas berg” (Lisa´s mountain). And later it became Liseberg.

World´s biggest
Liseberg as an amusement park first opened in May, 1923. Among the premiére attractions then, there was a 996 metres long roller coaster. It was then the biggest roller coaster in the world. In 1983, Liseberg got their symbol, a green happy rabbit with a vest and a hat.
That rabbit still symbolises Liseberg.

Christmas at Liseberg
Christmas at Liseberg first started in 2000. At Christmas at Liseberg you can find everything that makes a Swedish Christmas. Christmas markets as in former times, Christmas food, skating areas, community singing, and wonderful rides. All this to the sound of Christmas music and the smell of Swedish ”glögg” (resemble mulled wine). And as if that wasn´t enough, Santa Claus visits Liseberg every year to meet the happy children and to receive their lists of presents they wish for Christmas. So watch out, if you don´t behave you might not get any Christmas presents.

Liseberg Gran Prix
At Christmas time Liseberg arranges a competition. ”Liseberg Gran Prix” (”Gran” means spruce in Swedish, we have spruces as Christmas trees). At the competition a few famous people compete to dress the most elegant Christmas tree. And the visitors can vote for the prettiest tree. Last year the winner was Christer Lindarw from La Dolce Vita.

Garden wedding
Liseberg also has a big nice, green garden where they arrange garden days and weddings, this in the summer of course. They arrange a competition, where the price is a garden wedding and the wedding night at the wedding suite at the hotel ”Hotel Liseberg Heden”. Last year over 100 persons attended.

Balder
Balder is the biggest and most thrilling wooden coaster in the world. It´s 1070 metres long and 36 metres high. One ride takes 2 minutes and 8 seconds. The steepest hill is 70 degrees. It has two trains, each train takes 30 persons. It´s top speed is 90 km/h. I´m not sure I´ll dare to ride it. But maybe you are!? The ride starts with a 70 degrees down-hill slope, 36 metres up in the air, continues over high mountains and deep valleys for more than a kilometre. When it finally ends you´ll certainly ride it one more time.

New 2007
This year´s new attraction is ”Uppswinget” (Screamin´ swing). It takes 32 persons and its top speed is 80 km/h. A trendy, violent experience. I strongly recommend you to visit Liseberg and ride it ! Of course ride everything else too.

And as the last words I´m ashamed to tell you that I, as a Swede, never have visited Liseberg... But I should, as soon as I get the possibility. Because who wants to miss the biggest wooden coaster in the world!? Not I in any case.