March: epic fantasy and bubbly drinks

Is fantasy your cup of tea? Head to Partille on March 17 for the concert The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit in Concert in Partille Arena, with a live orchestra, a choir and stars on stage.

The bubbly event Sparkling Göteborg is back in town on March 25–26 mars, this time at Clarion Hotel Post next to the central station. Dive into champagnes, cavas, crémants, prosecco and other sparkling wines with the help of knowledgeable experts.

April: Gbg Beer Week, Kim Wilde and World Cup qualifications

Gbg Beer Week is now an established institution in Sweden’s “beer capital” Gothenburg. This year the event starts on April 1 and offers a packed eight-day programme, with A beer & whisky fair at the Swedish Exhibition & Congress Centre on April 8–9.

Love 1980s music? Don’t miss out on Kim Wilde’s concert at Trädgår’n on April 1, where you’ll hear classic hits like Kids in America, Cambodia and Hangin’ on. All the football fans out there also have something to look forward to – the Swedish women’s national football team are up against Ireland in the World Cup qualifications at Gamla Ullevi on April 12!

Miriam Bryant comes to Scandinavium arena on May 13.

May: a science festival, Miriam Bryant and Göteborgsvarvet Half Marathon

Sweden’s largest science event, The International Science Festival in Gothenburg, is finally back in a physical format! Or rather in a hybrid format, because you can enjoy hundreds of activities on site as well as online. The activities open to the public take place on May 3–8 and the programme will be released in March.

Miriam Bryant is finally on the road again, and she makes a stop at Scandinavium arena on May 13 with her praised album PS jag hatar dig. Later in May, you can gauge your fitness level in the classic races Göteborgsvarvet Half Marathon (May 21) and Göteborgsgirot (May 27–29).

Half marathon

Göteborgsvarvet 2023

Slottsskogen City Park

13May

Bicycle race

Göteborgsgirot 2023

Gothenburg

26May

June: Summerburst’s ten year anniversary, West Pride and Zara Larsson

Summerburst is back at Ullevi stadium on June 3–4 and this year the festival celebrates ten (!) years with stars like David Guetta, Rebecca & Fiona and Alok on stage. A week later, on June 10, beloved artist Laleh comes home to Gothenburg for her largest gig so far, also at Ullevi stadium. The art and culture festival West Pride, with an LGBTI focus, takes place on June 13–19 this year, at various venues across the city.

Culture festival

West Pride 2023

Götaplatsen

5Jun

On June 16–18, you can experience Peter Jöback and Ola Salo in Andrew Lloyd Webbers classic musical Jesus Christ Superstar at Scandinavium arena, and on June 17–19 the Gothenburg Youth Games in athletics are held at Ullevi stadium. After two pandemic years, they celebrate their 25th anniversary in 2022 with great vibes and the next Duplantis, Klüft and Kallur in the tracks.

Youth athletics competition

Gothenburg Youth Games 2023

Slottsskogsvallens idrottscentrum

30Jun

Legendary artist Sting visits Trädgårdsföreningen on June 21 and will perform beloved songs like Fields of Gold, Shape of my Heart and Roxanne. And on June 29, a slightly younger but equally bright star enters the main stage at Liseberg, namely Zara Larsson!

International football event Gothia Cup is finally back at Ullevi stadium this summer. Credit: Jorma Valkonen/JV Bild

July: international sports events, sailing and summer concerts

Are the 90s your favourite music era? Head to Bananpiren on July 2 to experience an epic lineup with artists from the 90s and 00s! July is also the month for Gothenburg’s international sports events, when young people from all over the world come to compete in Partille Cup and Gothia Cup. North of Gothenburg you’ll find Marstrand, Sweden’s sailing capital, and this year the popular event Childhood Match Cup takes place on July 4–7.

World of Handball

World of Handball – Partille Cup 2023

Heden

3Jul

International football tournament

Gothia Cup 2023

Ullevi stadium

16Jul

Sailing race

Childhood Match Cup 2023

Marstrand

4Jul

Lush city park Trädgårdsföreningen sports many great artists in July, first Veronica Maggio and Mares on July 8, and the day after by resurrected band The Ark! If you prefer a heavy base, check out Iron Maiden on July 22, or Rammstein on July 29–30, both at Gothenburg’s largest stadium Ullevi.

19th century park

Trädgårdsföreningen

August: more mega concerts, Way Out West comeback and swimrun in the archipelago

The wonderful music summer just goes on and on in Gothenburg! Kickstart August with Ulf Lundell in Trädgårdsföreningen on August 5, or Uggla, Miss Li and Petter on August 6. Family friendly Sävefestivalen boasts two stages, food trucks and local craft beer, and you reach it easily by bus 35 and 37 to Skendla Röd/Assmundstorp.

19th century park

Trädgårdsföreningen

Music and family festival

Säve Festival 2023

Tuve kyrkväg 200

5Aug

Prefer something more active? Find your fittest friend and sign up for salty Ötillö Swimrun starting on the island Styrsö. Of course you can also come just to watch, pack a picnic and catch a ferry from Saltholmen!

On August 10–11 another mega artist comes to Ullevi – Ed Sheeran! On his Mathematics Tour he’ll perform on a circular stage, surrounded by the audience and backed up by British singer-songwriter Maisie Peters.

Music festival

Way Out West 2023

Slottsskogen City Park

10Aug

Is this the most awaited comeback this summer? Way Out West has undeniably become as vital to summer in Gothenburg as Paddan boat rides, Flumeride at Liseberg amusement park and Håkan Hellström at Ullevi Stadium. This year you’ll find lots of famous as well as up-and-coming acts on the stages in Slottsskogen city park and on venues all around town; from Burna Boy, First Aid Kit and Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, to Yung Lean, Girl in Red and Pa Salieu.

19th century park

Trädgårdsföreningen

Another summer tradition is Tomas Ledin in the park Trädgårdsföreningen. This year he comes on August 13, and almost a week later Håkan Hellström celebrates 20 (!!) years on stage with no less than four maxed out nights at Ullevi stadium. Make sure to get your ticket in time! And for all the Gryffindors, Ravenclaws and Slytherins out there, don’t miss Harry Potter and the prisoner of Azkaban™ In Concert on August 20 at Scandinavium arena! The third film of this immensely popular saga is shown on a huge screen while the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra play the soundtrack.

Would you rather run in the woods than around the city centre? Check out Gotaloppet, set in lovely nature along the hiking trail Gotaleden from Jonsered to Valhalla IP. Walking or jogging is fine too!

In September, Gothenburg Culture Festival is back in full scale. Credit: Julius Cederdahl

September: a culture festival, heavy metal and the Gothenburg book fair

Gothenburg Culture Festival refused to cancel during the pandemic. Instead they came up with adapted activities, like the very popular “culture presents”. This autumn, the festival is finally back in large scale again on small and large stages around the city. It’s free of charge and open to everyone, and the programme will be released early this summer.

On September 17, two classic rock bands share the stage at Partille Arena – Danish D-A-D and Swedish Sator. Both have been around since the 1980s and have gained a devoted fanbase among young and old. Be prepared for a full-on show and hitmania! On September 23, the arena welcomes the iconic basketball show Harlem Globetrotters, with breakneck tricks and fast-paced entertainment on the menu.

Yet another classic Gothenburg event is back to normal, the Gothenburg Book Fair. On September 22–25, you can enjoy seminars, literary conversations and mingling at the Swedish Exhibition and Congress Centre, this year with the themes South Africa, the climate crisis and “crime time” in focus.

Fairs, congresses, events

The Swedish Exhibition & Congress Centre

October: heavy metal, cosy autumn vibes and Halloween

October offers more music in Partille Arena, when classic Deep Purple play their beloved hits on October 4. On October 13, the turn has come to Scandinavium arena to welcome a legendary band, when The Cure makes a stop in Gothenburg during their Cure Tour Euro 22.

No autumn without Halloween at Liseberg amusement park! Since the start in 2015 the season, with a mix of cold shivers and butterflies, has become hugely popular among young and old. Come to Gothenburg in late October/early November and enjoy a haunted park, candy rains, scary houses and breathtaking rides. The science centre Universeum also want a piece of the Halloween cake, and offer scary activities and terrifying discoveries during an entire week.

Amusement park

Liseberg amusement park

Science museum

Universeum

Up for something less petrifying? Snow White – The Musical comes to Partille Arena on October 22 with stars like Bob Hellberg, Bragi Bergsson, Anna Norberg and Patrik Martinsson on stage.

Sports and events

Partille arena

In November you can see Timbuktu in his new show at Lorensbergsteatern.

November: beer festival, Cats and Timbuktu

So we don’t have a Bavarian Oktoberfest in town, but why not try our Gothenburg Novemberfest? The west coast brewery All in Brewing throw a beer festival at Elite Park Avenue for two days straight, with local craft beer, tasty food and exciting news in stock.

On November 17–19 all musical lovers will get their fill, when the famous musical Cats comes to Scandinavium Arena two nights in a row. On stage you’ll find a London based ensemble with celebrated musical veteran Gunilla Backman in the leading role Grizabella.

Theatre

Lorensbergsteatern

Jason Diakité, more widely known as Timbuktu, released the celebrated book A Drop of Midnight in 2016. The book is a moving story about identity, belonging and family history; and now it’s been turned into theatre! Don’t miss the show on November 23 at Lorensbergsteatern.

December: a shimmering Christmas vibe at Liseberg and all over town

Gothenburg is an amazing place to be around Christmas, when the city is filled with magical choir singing, teeming Christmas markets and a cosy atmosphere. Don’t miss Sweden’s largest Christmas market at Liseberg amusement park, traditional St. Lucy celebrations, sumptuous Christmas buffets, shimmering candles, unique Christmas shopping and concerts of every imaginable kind. Check out or guide to Christmas in Gothenburg when the season approaches!

Christmas markets in Gothenburg

Mulled wine, roasted chestnuts and Christmas trees. We love Christmas markets, and in Gothenburg there are many to choose from. Here are some of our favourites, from cosy Haga to majestic Tjolöholm Castle.

Lisebergsteatern

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Bov discobar

Gbgimpro

Gothia Towers

Masthuggsteatern

Corner

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