Must-see entertainment in Sweden

  • Dalhalla Opera

    Lake Siljan

    Held at the magnificent Dalhalla amphitheatre, the Dalhalla Opera's summer season always plays to packed crowds.

  • Malmö Live

    Malmö

    Opened in 2015, Malmö Live is a world-class concert hall and home to the Malmö Symphony Orchestra.

  • Dalhalla

    Lake Siljan

    Dalhalla, an old limestone quarry 9km north of Rättvik, is used as an open-air theatre and concert venue in summer; the acoustics are incredible and the…

  • Slagthusets Teater

    Malmö

    This former slaughterhouse is a multipurpose venue that hosts anything from concerts to DJs, plays and conferences. Check the website to see what's on…

  • Södra Teatern

    Södermalm

    Accessible from Mosebacketorg and adjoining Mosebacke Etablissement, up the winding streets of old Södermalm, Södra Teatern is the original…

  • Stampen

    Gamla Stan

    Stampen is one of Stockholm’s music-club stalwarts, swinging to live jazz and blues six nights a week. The free blues jam (currently on Sundays) pulls…

  • Zinkensdamms Idrottsplats

    Södermalm

    Watching a bandy match is great fun. A precursor to ice hockey but with more players (11 to a side) and less fighting, the sport has grown massively…

  • Mosebacke Etablissement

    Södermalm

    Eclectic theatre and club nights aside, this historic culture palace hosts a mixed line-up of live music. Tunes span anything from home-grown pop to…

  • Dramaten

    Stockholm

    The Royal Theatre stages a range of plays in a sublime art-nouveau environment. You can also take a guided tour in English at 4pm most days (adult/child…

  • Folkoperan

    Södermalm

    Folkoperan gives opera a thoroughly modern overhaul with its intimate, cutting-edge and sometimes controversial productions. The under-26s enjoy half…

  • Operan

    Stockholm

    The Royal Opera is the place to go for thunderous tenors, sparkling sopranos and classical ballet. It has some bargain tickets in seats with poor views,…

  • Fasching

    Stockholm

    Music club Fasching is the pick of Stockholm’s jazz clubs, with live music most nights. DJs often take over with Afrobeat, Latin, neo-soul or R&B on…

  • Stadsteatern/Kulturhuset

    Stockholms Stadsteatern

    Stockholm

    Regular performances are staged at this theatre inside Kulturhuset, as well as guest appearances by foreign theatre companies. It's also the temporary…

  • Globen

    Stockholm

    This huge white spherical building (it looks like a giant golf ball) just south of Södermalm hosts regular big-name pop and rock concerts, as well as…

  • Katalin and All That Jazz

    Uppsala

    Katalin, in a former warehouse behind the train station, hosts regular live jazz and blues, with occasional rock and pop bands. There’s a good restaurant…

  • Pustervik

    Gothenburg

    Culture vultures and party people pack this hybrid venue, with its heaving downstairs bar and upstairs club and stage. Gigs range from independent theatre…

  • GöteborgsOperan

    Gothenburg

    Designed by architect Jan Izikowitz, the opera house is a striking contemporary glass building with a sloped roof overlooking Lilla Bommen harbour…

  • Louis de Geer Konserthus

    Småland

    A modern addition to the riverside scenery is the extraordinary 1300-seat Louis de Geer Konserthus concert venue, located in a former paper mill. Still…

  • Glenn Miller Café

    Stockholm

    Simply loaded with character, this tiny jazz-and-blues bar draws a faithful, fun-loving crowd. It also serves excellent, affordable French-style classics…

  • Konserthuset

    Stockholm

    Head to this pretty blue building for classical concerts and other musical marvels, including the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. The bronze sculpture of…

  • Tivoli

    Helsingborg

    Down by the harbour, the Tivoli is Helsingborg's most enduring and multi-purpose venue: sometimes nightclub, sometimes live house, almost always at the…

  • Inkonst

    Malmö

    This multifunction cultural hang-out serves up some brilliant club nights, pumping out anything from underground UK grime and garage to hip hop and rhythm…

  • Kutens Bensin

    Gotland

    In summer, the after hours incarnation of Crêperie Tati continues to crank out live old school rock and roll, depending on the day and which bands are…

  • Dansens Hus

    Stockholm

    This place is an absolute must for contemporary-dance fans. Guest artists have included everyone from British choreographer Akram Khan to Canadian…

  • Kulturbolaget

    Malmö

    Some pretty big names have performed here, but even if there’s no one playing, ‘KB’ has a kicking bar and nightclub (usually Friday and Saturday).

  • Casino Cosmopol

    Malmö

    One of four legal casinos in Sweden and located in the lovely Kungsparken.

  • Göteborgs Konserthuset

    Gothenburg

    Home to the local symphony orchestra, with top international guests and some sterling performances.

  • Konserthus

    Helsingborg

    Konserthus regularly plays host to Helsingborg’s Symphony Orchestra.

  • Nya Ullevi

    Gothenburg

    The city’s outdoor stadium hosts rock concerts and sporting events.

  • Scandinavium

    Gothenburg

    An indoor concert venue near Nya Ullevi stadium.

  • Ystads Teater

    Skåne

    The extraordinary Ystads Teater dates back to 1894; its repertoire spans operas, musicals, tango and big-band gigs. Guided tours (usually in Swedish) of…

  • Filmstaden Malmö

    Malmö

    This movie cinema shows Hollywood releases in the heart of Gamla Staden.

  • Biopalatset

    Gothenburg

    Multiscreen Biopalatset screens mainstream blockbusters.

  • Folkets Bio

    Gothenburg

    For independent and art-house offerings.

More destinations you need to see