The program begins with Gothenburg’s Anniversary Festival (June 2–­5) and is followed by Prototyping Gothenburg, which will turn the city’s public spaces into an exhibition arena.

Throughout the summer visitors will be able to take part in several anniversary initiatives, such as the celebration of Gothenburg’s 100-year-old institutions. The festivities will reach their final at the events Frihamnsdagarna and Gothenburg Culture Festival.

Read more about Gothenburg’s 400th anniversary celebration at goteborg2023.com.

Photo: Happy Visuals/Göteborg & Co

Gothenburg’s Anniversary Festival

A four-day festival in Frihamnen (2­5 June) to celebrate the city’s 400th anniversary. Come and enjoy music, good food, activities and surprises – right by the water. The party is based on ideas from the people of Gothenburg and is open and accessible for everyone.

The first artist confirmed, plus an evening with Way Out West

There will be a grand festival in June when Gothenburg celebrates 400 years. The first artists are confirmed, Hooja, Sigrid, Sarah Klang and Jens Lekman & Burnstein Orchestra. In addition, Way Out West is taking over one of the evenings at the large festival area in Frihamnen, which has free entry and is open to all ages.

Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra with guest artists

The Gothenburg’s Anniversary Celebration will be started on June 2 by the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, which together with a number of well-known Gothenburg artists will invite you to an opening concert. Under the direction of Hans Ek and the band Augustifamiljen with Kapellmeister Stefan Sporsén, you can expect a powerful performance, with guests such as Timo Räisänen, Stefan Andersson, Ebbot Lundberg, Yukimi Nagano/Little Dragon, Vic Vem and Katarina Hemlin as well as other secret guests. In addition to this, you are guided through the program by the comedian Sissela Kyle.

Prototyping Gothenburg

In connection with Gothenburg’s Anniversary Celebration in the summer of 2023, the city’s public spaces will become an exhibition arena under the name Prototyping Gothenburg, which focuses on opportunities, solutions and challenges in the development towards a sustainable city. The main area of Prototyping Gothenburg is a walkway that stretches from Frihamnen and Ringön on the island of Hisingen, over the Hisingen bridge to the central area of the town. Along the route, there will be a series of places and activities to discover, for example the park Jubileumsparken with the new harbor bath, the marine allotment Flytevi, activation of Kajskjul 113 and much more. The program gets off to a flying start already on June 1 with a half-day that focuses on circular construction. Among the booked speakers is Nicholas Duxbury Ransome from Lendager in Denmark, who will talk about their many years of work in finding new methods to build sustainably. Read more about Prototyping Gothenburg here.

Photo: Peter Kvarnström/Göteborg & Co

100 years in Gothenburg

In addition to the city’s 400th birthday, several of Gothenburg’s most beloved places are celebrating 100 years in 2023. Liseberg Amusement park, Gothenburg Botanical Garden, Gothenburg Museum of Art, the Aquarium at the Maritime Museum, the art gallery Göteborg konsthall and the main boulevard Avenyn are some of the famous institutions that were built for the big Anniversary Exhibition in 1923.

Gothenburg’s Anniversary Final

The celebration will reach its final on August 31-September 3 at Gothenburg Culture Festival, Frihamnsdagarna and Göteborgsvarvet Marathon.

An Information Center and Exhibition in the City Center

Moreover, an exhibiton and information center will be open in the park Bältesspännarparken throughout the summer. Here you can go to find inspiration and seek information about the different anniversary events and activities. This spot will also include a stage, which will be showing different parts of the celebration in a smaller format.

Photo: Fine Little Day

Celebrate with cava and a limited edition blanket

For Gothenburg’s 400th anniversary, several products have been created by different partners. Why not try the “Gothenburg 400 years” cava, or buy a beautifully designed blanket, to keep as a memory of the jubilee? You find all the products as well as information on where to buy them at the anniversary website.