Stockholm
Head to this pretty blue building for classical concerts and other musical marvels, including the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. The bronze sculpture of…
Must-see entertainment in Scandinavia
Aarhus
Radar offers a glimpse into Aarhus’ indie scene with a wide range of live music (including rock, techno, punk and folk) from its home inside the cool…
Trondheim
Trondheim's main concert hall is within the Olavskvartalet cultural centre. The home base of the Trondheim Symphony Orchestra, it also features…
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…
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…
Bodø
Bodø's showpiece new concert hall is one to watch for big-name classical concerts – this is where the Northern Norway Opera & Orchestra (www.noso.no)…
Laugavegur & Skólavörðustígur
The National Theatre puts on everything from modern Icelandic works to musicals, opera and Shakespeare. The five separate performance areas include the…
Odense
Cafe Biografen's cinema shows first-run movies and art-house flicks, and is the stalwart venue for the Odense Film Festival.
Oslo
Dark and (ever so slightly) dirty rock-and-roll bar with an attached band room. A great place to see a local or interesting international act or just to…
Helsinki
Helsinki's second, but more central, venue for ice hockey – after the Hartwall Arena – is this arena in the Olympic Stadium complex, with a capacity of…
Aarhus
This is a suitably theatrical building dating from 1900, embellished with gargoyles and other extravagant decor. Performances are largely in Danish, but…
Helsinki
Next to Tavastia, this smaller sibling has live music almost nightly, with a focus on up-and-coming Finnish bands. Buy tickets on the website or at the…
Bodø
This low-key basement pub beside the main square has live music six nights a week with karaoke on Sundays – see the signed posters of bands who've played…
Aarhus
VoxHall is a well-established live-music locale hosting an eclectic range of acts. Attached is the more-intimate Atlas (capacity 300), specialising in…
Tampere
A bit of a Tampere institution, this offers live jazz, blues or swing every evening. The crowd is mostly 30-plus and really gets into it; this can be a…
Odense
In a former postal warehouse close to the train station, Posten presents live music across widely varying genres (rock, pop, hip hop etc) from both…
Bergen
This venue hosts cutting-edge Norwegian electronic artists, along with respected international acts. There are often three or more gigs a week; see the…
Stockholm
This place is an absolute must for contemporary-dance fans. Guest artists have included everyone from British choreographer Akram Khan to Canadian…
Opera House & Bjørvika
Apart from being one of Norway's most impressive examples of contemporary architecture, Oslo Opera House is also the venue for world-class opera and…
Rovaniemi
Concerts (mostly classical) and theatre productions (often with an Arctic theme) take place across the three stages of Rovaniemi's Alvar Aalto–designed…
Odense
Specialising in classical music, the Koncerthus is home to Odense Symphony Orchestra.
Central Finland
Opened in 1993, Kuhmo's glass-and-steel arts and cultural centre has two halls with a total of 767 seats, and an excellent programme of classical music.
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).
Turku
A great variety of Finnish bands play at this hot live-music venue. Also on site is the congenial Toby & Fellas, a convivial karaoke establishment.
Svolvær
This stylish and relatively new cultural centre houses a cinema and exhibition space, as well as mostly classical-music concerts.
Finland's West Coast
Pori is home to the country's oldest Finnish-speaking drama company, housed in a neo-Renaissance theatre on Hallituskatu.
Reykjavík
Grungy and glorious, Gaukurinn is a solid stop for live music, comedy, karaoke and open mikes. Happy hour is 7pm to 9pm.
Reykjanes Peninsula
Small cinema, mostly showing films with English language and Icelandic subtitles – check your movie before you visit.
The South
Many of the movies here are shown in English (with Icelandic subtitles). Find it next to the shops by the roundabout.
Reykjavík
Stages plays and musicals, and is home to the Icelandic Dance Company.
Gothenburg
Home to the local symphony orchestra, with top international guests and some sterling performances.
Mariehamn
A classic movie house, dating to 1939, which shows blockbuster films and lesser-known indie films.
Laugavegur & Skólavörðustígur
It may be small, but Mengi offers an innovative program of music and visual and performing arts.
Turku & Finland's South Coast
A local treasure dating from 1919, the Olympia is Finland's southernmost cinema.
Reykjavík
The Icelandic Dance Company is in residence at Reykjavík City Theatre.
