Autumn holiday activities for the whole family
Halloween at Universeum, 1 October–2 November
Universeum also welcomes the darker days of autumn with Halloween activities for curious visitors of all ages. Explore slimy experiments in the laboratory, or take the opportunity to discover everything else the science centre has to offer across its ten floors.
Universeum is also home to Wisdome Gothenburg, Sweden’s largest visualisation dome, where you can experience spectacular adventures through immersive fulldome and 3D shows.
Science museum
Universeum is Sweden’s national science centre and one of Gothenburg’s most popular attractions, with ten floors packed with experiences for curious minds of all ages. Step into the rainforest, discover life beneath the surface, experiment with technology and travel far into space, all under one roof.
Sweden’s largest visualisation dome
Wisdome at Universeum offers a powerful 360-degree cinema experience for all ages.
Halloween at Liseberg Park, 2 October–1 November
Throughout October, Liseberg transforms into a world of both cosy autumn atmosphere and spine-chilling thrills. Among 30,000 pumpkins, visitors can enjoy rides open for the autumn season, haunted houses and experiences for different ages. Younger visitors can enjoy tricks and treats in Kaninlandet (Rabbit land), while braver guests can venture into the park’s scare zones.
Bricks and Games + The Swedish Pokémon Fair, 3–4 October
Åby Arena will be filled with LEGO, gaming and Pokémon for a weekend designed for enthusiasts of all ages. Build with ten million LEGO bricks, try out the Gaming Zone, watch a world record attempt and meet YouTube personalities Yumi & Tomu. The Swedish Pokémon Fair also offers card trading, workshops and activities for anyone keen to delve deeper into the world of Pokémon.
Göteborg Film Festival Prisma 2026, 22 October–1 November
During the autumn school holidays, it’s time for a film festival dedicated to children and young people. Göteborg Film Festival Prisma brings together films and stories from around the world, with the aim of introducing young audiences to quality cinema while inspiring them to create films of their own. The programme includes screenings, special guests and a variety of film experiences.
Día de Muertos at the Museum of World Culture, 24 October–1 November
Celebrate the Mexican tradition of Día de Muertos at the Museum of World Culture. This colourful celebration centres on remembering those we miss, with crafts, workshops, performances and films for visitors of all ages.
Light, art and culture in the autumn darkness
Lights in Alingsås, 2 October–1 November
Throughout October, Lights in Alingsås brightens up the autumn darkness. International lighting designers and students create installations along a route of approximately 3.5 kilometres through Alingsås. This year’s theme, Stories of Love, explores love in all its forms. The installations can be discovered independently free of charge or as part of a guided tour.
Zanele Muholi – Hasselblad Award Winner 2026, 10 October–4 April 2027
The 2026 Hasselblad Award has been presented to photographer and visual activist Zanele Muholi. Hasselblad Center will exhibit a selection of Muholi’s work exploring themes of visibility, dignity, identity and representation. The exhibition opens on 10 October and runs until spring 2027.
Kulturnatta, 23 October
During Kulturnatta, the whole of Gothenburg comes together for a city-wide celebration of culture. Theatres, galleries, studios, cinemas and cultural centres stay open into the evening, offering everything from dance and theatre to themed walks, workshops and studio visits. Most of the programme is also free of charge.
Livlig Market under Hisingsbron, 23 October–1 November
Livlig Market is a curated creative market bringing together independent brands, vintage sellers, designers, artists and creators under Hisingsbron in Gothenburg. Across two weekends, the space beneath the bridge transforms into a temporary creative playground filled with things to discover, people to meet and ideas to take part in. Alongside the market, expect music, workshops, installations and other creative happenings throughout the weekends.
Theatre, musicals and opera
Wicked, 14 October–20 March 2027
The hit musical Wicked returns to the Gothenburg Opera. The story takes audiences back to the time before Dorothy arrived in the Land of Oz and follows the friendship between Elphaba and Galinda, who later become known as the Wicked Witch and the Good Witch. The Gothenburg Opera’s spectacular production was seen by more than 110,000 people during its first run, and now Feline Andersson and Anna Salonen return in the leading roles.
La traviata, until 18 October
Giuseppe Verdi’s operatic classic La traviata continues at the Gothenburg Opera throughout October. It is a story of love, freedom and society’s expectations, featuring some of the most famous melodies in the history of opera.
Concerts and comedy
Stigberget Live Festival, 10 October
On 10 October, Stigberget Live Festival opens its doors again. A full evening of live music and culture spread across Musikens Hus, Oceanen, Utopia Jazz, Hängmattan, Skeppet GBG and Fyrens Ölkafé. All in one block.
Dylan Moran: Looking for Trouble, 12 October
Irish comedian Dylan Moran takes to the stage at Draken Live in October with his distinctive blend of dark humour, sharp observations and wonderfully meandering trains of thought.
Bob Dylan, 19 October
One of the most influential songwriters in music history comes to Scandinavium. The concert will be Bob Dylan’s only performance in Sweden in 2026 and his first appearance in Gothenburg since 2022. The evening will be phone-free, meaning mobile phones and recording equipment may not be used inside the arena.
Icona Pop, 23 October
Expect pop and club energy at Pustervik when Icona Pop arrive in Gothenburg with new music. Caroline Hjelt and Aino Jawo are currently promoting their album Ritual, which combines the duo’s familiar club sound with themes of friendship, motherhood, healing and self-discovery.
Benjamin Ingrosso, 24–25 October
Benjamin Ingrosso takes over Scandinavium for two consecutive nights with his arena tour What Happens Next?. Following the Better Days Tour in 2024, which was seen by more than 175,000 people in Sweden alone, he returns with a show created for major arenas.
Seinabo Sey, 27–28 October
Seinabo Sey is back with new music and comes to Stora Teatern for two nights. With her album Välkommen hem, she invites audiences into a personal and poetic universe centred around her distinctive voice, featuring both new songs in Swedish and previous favourites.
Sport over Halloween weekend
Pumpkin Bowl, 30 October–1 November
Over Halloween weekend, flag football teams from Sweden, Europe and other parts of the world gather at Prioritet Serneke Arena. Pumpkin Bowl is one of Europe’s most international tournaments in the sport and has capacity for up to 60 teams in 2026. Flag football will also make its Olympic debut at Los Angeles 2028, making the tournament a great opportunity to discover this rapidly growing sport up close. Admission is free for spectators.
Finalloppet, 31 October
Round off October out on the running trails. Finalloppet has been held since 1968 and is western Sweden’s largest cross-country race. The start and finish are at Skatås recreation centre, with distances ranging from the 250-metre children’s Parvel course to the 19-kilometre competitive race. You can also simply come along and enjoy the event as a spectator.
