Summer in Stockholm: Best Value Festivals And Events 2016
Summer is here! And while each year always sees a mass exodus of Swedes leaving Stockholm to make the most of the summer elsewhere, the city continues to have so much to offer to those who choose to spend the summer in Sweden’s capital.
So we have gathered up the best of Stockholm’s events and festivities and created a list of the most cost effective (and often free!) festivals here in Stockholm this Summer.
All Summer Long
Parkteatern
First on the list of free activities is Parkteatern (Park Theatre), a summer-long Performing Arts Festival which takes place in parks across the city. Parkteatern, which began back in 1942, showcases everything from folk, jazz & classical music to dance, drama & circus performances.
If you’re looking for theatre in English, look out for their 2016 retelling of A Midsummer Night’s Dream – on July 21, 22, 26 at Galärparken.
Where: various parks across the city
Website: kulturhusetstadsteatern.se/parkteatern/
Price: Free
June
Midsummer: 24th June 2016
To be sure – this is the event of the season, if not the year(!) for Swedes. Make sure you do it in style and head to Skansen, where many celebrations are sure to take place or, if you are looking for more of a DIY midsummer, make sure you check out our guide to the perfect Midsummer celebration!
July
Stockholm Street Festival: 30th June – 3rd July
“Be prepared for the unexpected” when you head to Kungsträgåden this July for one of Stockholm’s most interesting and diverse festivals. Stockholm Street Festival is set to be 4 packed days, showcasing talented street performers – from jugglers, clowns & illusionists to acrobats, magicians, trapeze artists & comedians – the list of talent goes on.
Perfect for a day out with the whole family – this festival will be sure to excite and entertain in early July – so make sure you don’t miss out!
Where: Kungsträgården
Website: stockholmstreetfestival.com/
Price: Free
Stockholm Skateathon: July 23
Only in its third year, the Stockholm Skateathon is happening in 2016 and any skateboarder – whether aged 12 or 55 (the youngest and oldest previous competitors) is invited to join in. The 12km course sees competitors race through Kungsholmen and all ages and abilities are encouraged to compete – the only prerequisite is that those under 15 must wear a helmet (safety first!). And while the website holds conflicting information, we are told that registration for 2016 is completely free!
Where: Kungsholmen (Start and finish at Rålamnshovsparken).
Website: stockholmskateathon.com/en/
Price: Free
August
Stockholm Culture Festival: August 16-21, 2016
Kulturfestivalen takes place in mid August each year and is a real immersion culture and the arts. The theme for 2016 is France, and the line up looks impressive. Stockholm Culture Festival really is a festival with something for everyone, with an extensive program of activities for children and families, walking tours, sports, circus & theatre, literature & talks and film & photo events going on throughout this week!
Check out our 2015 Culture Festival experience here!
Where: Stockholm City, Sergels Torg, Gustav Adolfs Torg, Norrbro (between the Royal Palace and the Royal Opera), Skeppsbron (on the docks beside the Royal Palace)
Website: kulturfestivalen.stockholm.se
Price: Free (except for the City Walks which cost 30kr / ticket)
Did we miss something? If you know of any free or value-for-money festivals in Stockholm that you think we have missed, do let us know by leaving a comment below. And if you visit any of these festivals this summer, let us know how they were – we always love to hear from you!
Photo Credit: Bengt Nyman, Håkan Dahlström, Bo Hasse Gustafsson
And if you're planning on visiting Stockholm any time soon, Booking.com has some great deals on hotels in and around the city. Highly recommended!
