Tällberg is a small village in Dalarna, in Leksand municipality. It is well known for its traditional midsummer (midsommar) celebration, which is listed as one of the "1,000 Places to See Before You Die" in the famous travel book of the same name.
As the rest of Siljansbygden, Tällberg is considered an archetype of Swedish folk culture.
Tällberg traces its historical roots to the middle ages, and is mentioned in written sources as early as 1320. The name comes from the Swedish words "Tall", which means pine tree, and "Berg", which means mountain, and translates into "the pine covered mountain".
In the early 20th century it became a summer residence of several notable Swedish cultural figures, including the artists Gustaf Ankarcrona, Ivar Nyberg and Gabriel Burmeister, the mathematician Gösta Mittag-Leffler, as well as the composer and director Hugo Alfvén. In 1914 Tällberg Train Station was constructed, facilitating communications and thereby consolidating Tällbergs status as a tourist destination. In the 1920s the village consisted of some 50 farms, and a dozen typical Dalcarlian villas.
Today the village has some 200 permanent residents, plus another 400 holiday cottage owners. The village has remained a popular tourist destination with eight hotels and guesthouses, offering a total of about 1500 beds, and servicing a quarter million visitors annually. It is one of few places in Sweden which only consists of traditional wood buildings, most of them painted in the classical Falu red color. Between 2005 and 2013 it hosted the annual international conference Tällberg Forum.
- Midsommar. On the Saturday occurring between June 20 and June 26. Midsummer is the biggest event of the year in Tällberg. During the celebrations two major midsummer poles are decorated with wildflowers, pine tree and grass. One of them is erected at Majstångsplatsen in the center of town during Midsummer eve, while the other is erected att Holens Gammelgård during the following day. Throughout the day there is plenty of entertainment with games, dancing and traditional Swedish folk music.
- Tällberg Halvmarathon. Early August. A half marathon, or "21 km" running competition.
- Lissjul. On the second Sunday of the Nativity Feast, i.e. the Sunday occurring between December 4 and December 10. A major winter celebration with Christmas Fairs, traditional Swedish Christmas food and folk dancing.
Midsommar. On the Saturday occurring between June 20 and June 26. Midsummer is the biggest event of the year in Tällberg. During the celebrations two major midsummer poles are decorated with wildflowers, pine tree and grass. One of them is erected at Majstångsplatsen in the center of town during Midsummer eve, while the other is erected att Holens Gammelgård during the following day. Throughout the day there is plenty of entertainment with games, dancing and traditional Swedish folk music.
Tällberg Halvmarathon. Early August. A half marathon, or "21 km" running competition.
Lissjul. On the second Sunday of the Nativity Feast, i.e. the Sunday occurring between December 4 and December 10. A major winter celebration with Christmas Fairs, traditional Swedish Christmas food and folk dancing.
The best place to get a meal or a drink in Tällberg is probably one of its hotel restaurants. All of the village hotels, listed below, offer dining in their respective hotel restaurants. The restaurants at Tällbergsgården Hotell and Åkerblads Hotell och Gästgiveri are mentioned in the national restaurant guide White Guide. Aside from these hotel restaurants, your options are limited to lunch open cafés.
- Dalmål Kafé & Kök, Siljansvägen 479, +46 247 502 65. Open all year around. A café and lunch restaurant, located in the same building as the Tällbergs Hemslöjd craft store. While their specialty is waffles, they also offer pies, sandwiches and heavier meals like pizza.
- Holens Kaffestuga, Holgattu 32, +46 76-76 77 800. Open weekends May and June: 10:00-16:00; and daily from the end of main season from the latter part of June until the late August: W-M 10:00-19:00, Tu 10:00-21:00. One of Sweden's oldest coffee houses, established in 1935. They offer several types of lighter meals including pies, sandwiches and waffles.
Dalmål Kafé & Kök, Siljansvägen 479, +46 247 502 65. Open all year around. A café and lunch restaurant, located in the same building as the Tällbergs Hemslöjd craft store. While their specialty is waffles, they also offer pies, sandwiches and heavier meals like pizza.
Holens Kaffestuga, Holgattu 32, +46 76-76 77 800. Open weekends May and June: 10:00-16:00; and daily from the end of main season from the latter part of June until the late August: W-M 10:00-19:00, Tu 10:00-21:00. One of Sweden's oldest coffee houses, established in 1935. They offer several types of lighter meals including pies, sandwiches and waffles.