Thrillingly fun during the Autumn Break
There is a lot to experience all year round in Gothenburg, but the autumn season offers some extra fun activities. “Creepy Science” returns to the Universeum Science Centre, starting October 1. Take part in clever quizzes, meet creepy crawlies, and get involved in messy crafts.
Halloween at Liseberg is a recurring family favourite, where ghosts and commotion ravage the park.
The Gothenburg Museum of Art offers thrills during the Autumn holidays with both cosy craft workshops and exciting flashlight tours of the museum.
The colourful exhibition ¡Viva México! at the Museum of World Culture shows Mexico’s origins and traditions – the struggle and courage, as well as skulls and flowers. During Autumn, the Museum of Gothenburg is showing the exhibition Swedish Music Hall of Fame, that sheds light on Gothenburg’s unique music scene. At Alfie Atkins’ Culture Centre, you can enjoy some scary cosiness with ghostly shows and thrilling readings.
The Comedy Art Theatre organises Gothenburg’s oldest annual ghost walk whick offers a unique and creepy way to experience the city. If you are less interested in ghosts and more in true crime, Crime Walks offers exciting, educational, and sometimes scary walks around Gothenburg. Before you book a walk, keep in mind that some are aimed at adults and others at children, so make sure you pick one suited for your company.
Find even more autumn events in our events calendar!
Puzzles and mysteries for young detectives
During autumn, there are several activities that will put one’s deduction skills to the test. Kluredo is an outdoor murder mystery game, best described as a mix of a classic board game, Cluedo, and Pokémon Go. If you want to stay indoors, you can live out your detective dream in one of Gothenburg’s many escape rooms. Since Gothenburg has the most escape room games in the whole country, there is a large and wide range of them, with something that will surely suit everyone.
The world’s largest floating ship museum, Maritiman, will be shrouded in spy themed mysteries during the autumn holidays. There will be everything from thrilling spy quizzes to captivating Morse code workshops.
Cultural events for all ages
Gothenburg has a rich history of many and major cultural events. The 2022 edition of the annual Gothenburg Book Fair will be a grand return to the Swedish Exhibition & Congress Centre, after two years with mainly an online programme. In September, we can finally meet in person again, and take part in the full weekend of seminars, writers’ talks and book signings. This year’s big news is that the book fair continues with an evening event on September 23 – “Bokmässan by night”, with artist interviews, live podcasts, author talks, DJs and clubbing.
The city festival Kulturnatta is held annually and is as “a cultural tie-in party for everyone, by everyone”. During Kulturnatta, theatres, museums, libraries, galleries, studios, cinemas, and cultural centres are open through the night with free admission. For young film lovers, the Gothenburg Film Festival Prisma is a perfect autumn activity.
The classic musical Annie is performed at the theatre Lisebergsteatern during the autumn break. The nearby arena Rondo has been transformed into a Greek tavern, to set the perfect mood and to offer the best way to experiencethe ABBA musical Mamma Mia! The Party.
Gothenburg Opera’s Danskompani is one of Europe’s foremost companies in contemporary dance. This makes Danskompani an attraction for audiences as well as world-renowned choreographers. Danskompani will, together with just such a choreographer, namely the multiple award-winning Alexander Ekman, perform Ekman’s new work Hammer (formerly Slägga) this autumn. Alexander Ekman’s visually strong works put their finger on the contemporary perception of itself, preferably with a humorous appeal. Hammer, a full evening in two acts, will be his third work for Gothenburg Opera’s Danskompani.
Live music shows
The legendary Bob Dylan graces Scandinavium with his tenth concert at the arena on September 29. At the same arena you can catch another long-time rock favourite when The Cure performes October 13. On September 13 you can enjoy the dreamy and atmospheric music by composer and artist Yann Tiersen at Pustervik. Mike Rosenberg is best known as the artist Passenger with the world hit “Let her go”. On September 20, he takes the stage at Trädgår’n.
Enjoy freshly caught lobster
Autumn is the peak season for Gothenburg’s restaurants with plenty of amazing in-season ingredients. Now is the time to enjoy fresh fish and seafood at their best – lobster, langustines, crabs, shrimps and more – and to discover what the city’s chefs have found in the forest.
The Swedish lobster isn’t threatened, but to protect it the fishing is strictly regulated and only permitted between September and April. Lobster season always starts at 7 am the first Monday after September 20, and this year that means September 26. The taste of freshly caught lobster from the cold waters surrounding Gothenburg is something really special. In our guide to fish restaurants in Gothenburg, you’ll find everything from shrimp sandwiches and fish soup, to creative sushi and fine dining.
Do you want to get even closer to the fresh ingredients? Join a lobster, crayfish or seal safari with Kastor Boat Trips, Hönö Båtturer or Marine Events – or take the chance to explore the archipelago on your own and rent a kayak at Kajkanten Vrångö.
Lovely autumn markets
Autumn is harvest time! In Haga in central Gothenburg, you can visit the Farmer’s Market every Saturday until October 15. At the market producers from western Sweden sells their freshly harvested and locally produced goods. In mid-September, there is the harvest festival at Tjolöholm Castle outside Kungsbacka, south of Gothenburg. Taste and shop local products or participate in the harvest activities. If you have access to a car, you can go on a Farm Safari between Gothenburg and Nossebro on September 24-25. It will be a weekend of farm visits, food tastings and more along route 190.
Guided autumn tours on water
Gothenburg has a rich and exciting history to discover. Iconic for the city is the old moat and the canals from the 17th century, which surrounds central Gothenburg. This autumn you can explore the historic sceneries and landmarks onboard the sightseeing boat Paddan (The Toad). The Paddan tour is one of the most popular and well-known ways to experience Gothenburg from the water.
For an experience with a unique twist, Ocean Bus’ guided tours tstarts on land, past Gothenburg’s many sights, and then drives straight down into the sea for an excursion under the bridge Älvsborgsbron and around the city’s quays.
Go for an autumn walk between colourful parks and cosy shops
Autumn is also a perfect time for strolling around Gothenburg’s parks and gardens bursting with autumn colours, discovering new favourite shops and getting to know the city’s history during a city walk.
Tired after all that walking? Enjoy a “Swedish fika” (coffee or tea with something sweet) at one of Gothenburg’s many cafes! In Haga you’ll find huge cinnamon buns at Café Husaren, Kafé Gapet in Majorna offers pastry that is both beautiful and tasty, and in Linné Bar Italia you can have a fika the Italian way.
Day trips for every taste
There are many interesting destinations right outside Gothenburg that are well suited for a daytrip this autumn. Gunnebo House and Gardens organises guided tours for kids in November with the theme of “Dangers and horrors from the past”.
Alingsås once again lights up during the lighting design festival Lights in Alingsås on September 30– November 6. Here, lighting designers and students from across the globe illuminate urban environments together along a three-kilometre trail.
