In this guide, we list the biggest music, sports and cultural events in Gothenburg throughout 2026. Perfect if you’re planning a trip to Gothenburg filled with experiences, inspiration and unforgettable moments.

Gothenburg International Science Festival, 17–19 April 2026

The Gothenburg International Science Festival is being held this year for the 30th time. The festival is one of Europe’s leading popular science events, creating annual meeting places for knowledge, inspiration, and new perspectives – and presenting science in creative and unexpected ways.

A picture of a large area with many people doing various experiments. A stage is visible in the background.

Popular science festival for everyone

The Gothenburg International Science Festival 2026

Nordstan

17Apr

Apr17

Thousand of runners at the annual half marathon Göteborgsvarvet in Gothenburg. — Credit: Göteborgsvarvet

Göteborgsvarvet, 23 May 2026

Göteborgsvarvet, which marked its 40th edition last year, is the world’s largest half marathon. Starting and finishing at Slottsskogsvallen, the race spreads across a 21-kilometre route through the city in a true celebration of running. Learn more at goteborgsvarvet.se.

Thousand of runners at the annual half marathon Göteborgsvarvet in Gothenburg.

The world’s largest half marathon

Göteborgsvarvet 2026

Slottsskogen city park

23May

May23

Gothenburg Classic Car Weekend, 29–31 May 2026

From 29–31 May 2026, Gothenburg welcomes the second edition of the Gothenburg Classic Car Weekend. Hundreds of meticulously selected classic cars and motorcycles will be on display, with live music, festival vibes and street food rounding out the weekend. More info at gccw.se.

A red Volvo PV car is displayed indoors, with an information sign beside it and the registration plate EJD 087. In the background, blue and green posters are visible on the wall.

Motor-festival extra everything

Gothenburg Classic Car Weekend

Anders Carlssons g 2

30May

May30

View over Eriksbergskranen, one of Gothenburg's most famous landmarks. — Credit: Klara Hammerth/Göteborg & Co

Gothenburg’s Floating Boat Show, 29–31 May 2026

At the end of May 2026, all those with a passion for the sea, the coast and boating are welcome to a brand-new floating boat show. At Eriksberg, right by the river Göta älv, visitors, exhibitors and enthusiasts will come together to explore the latest boats, accessories and technology – all in a unique maritime setting.

View over Eriksbergskranen, one of Gothenburg's most famous landmarks.

Boats, accessories and technology

Gothenburg’s Floating Boat Show

Eriksbergs Färjeläge

29May

May29

Rainbow flags held by the audience in front of a stage at the West Pride festival. — Credit: Hampus Haara/West Pride

West Pride, 8–14 June 2026

Gothenburg’s very own pride festival, West Pride, has been celebrating love and diversity since 2007. The 2026 edition takes place from 8–14 June and will feature hundreds of exciting events, with the Pride Parade as a given highlight. More info at westpride.se.

Rainbow flags held by the audience in front of a stage at the West Pride festival.

Pride festival

West Pride 2026

Bananpiren

8Jun

Jun8

Butterfly Festival, 26–27 June, 2026

Butterfly Festival is Gothenburg’s brand-new summer festival, taking place at Bananpiren in the Frihamnen district. On 26–27 June 2026, the festival arrives in summertime Gothenburg, offering popular artists and DJs across two stages, street food from around the world, funfair attractions – and a party you don’t want to miss.

Gothenburg’s new music festival

Butterfly Festival

Bananpiren

26Jun

Jun26

Partille World Cup, 29 June–4 July 2026

The Partille World Cup is the world’s largest and most international handball tournament. Each year, 1,400 teams from around 50 countries gather in Gothenburg for a week of thrilling matches and cultural exchange. Learn more at partillecup.com.

Children are playing handball on an outdoor court. A team in green jerseys faces a team in yellow, and the ball is close to the goal where a goalkeeper in orange stands ready to save.

Youth handball tournament

Partille World Cup 2026

Heden

29Jun

Jun29

Luke Combs, 4 July 2026

Country star Luke Combs will embark on his My Kinda Saturday Night Tour in 2026, and on Saturday 4 July, he’ll be performing in Gothenburg with a concert at the arena Ullevi. This marks Combs’ first show in Gothenburg, and he’ll be joined on stage by guest artists The Script, Ty Myers, and The Castellows.

Concert at Ullevi

Luke Combs

Ullevi stadium

4Jul

Jul4

People participating in the opening ceremony for Gothia cup at the Ullevi stadium in Gothenburg. — The opening ceremony at Ullevi is a truly memorable experience for the thousands of players and coaches taking part in the tournament. Credit: Klara Hammerth/Göteborg & Co

Gothia Cup, 12–18 July 2026

The world’s largest youth football tournament returns to Gothenburg and its surrounding municipalities from 12–18 July 2026. Teams and participants from all corners of the globe make this event truly unique, and the entire city is buzzing with joy and sporting spirit. Learn more at gothiacup.se.

World’s Largest Youth Football Tournament

Gothia Cup 2026

Ullevi stadium

12Jul

Jul12

O-Ringen, 20–26 July 2026

In summer 2026, the world’s biggest orienteering competition, O-Ringen, comes to Gothenburg. Around 20,000 orienteers will compete in different categories throughout the city during the week. The heart of the event – O-Ringen City – will be located at Stora Holm on Hisingen.

Woman running at an event area, raising her arms in a winning gesture.

The world’s largest orienteering

O-Ringen 2026

Stora Holm Traffic Training

20Jul

Jul20

People at the music festival Way Out West — Credit: Happy Visuals/Göteborg & Co

Way Out West, 13–16 August 2026

The music and film festival Way Out West attracts visitors from all over Sweden and beyond. Every year, Slottsskogen transforms into a three-day celebration of music, culture and community. Mark your calendar for 13–16 August 2026, for performances with Gorillaz, The Cure, Lorde, The XX, Sombr and Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, among others.

People in summer clothes on a sunny day during Way Out West 2022.

Music festival

Way Out West 2026

Slottsskogen city park

13Aug

Aug13

Volleyball European Championship, 21–27 August 2026

In August 2026, Sweden will host the group stage of the Volleyball European Championship in Gothenburg. Fifteen matches will be played over seven action-packed days. Don’t miss the chance to cheer on Sweden’s women’s national team as they play their first-ever major tournament on home soil.

Women’s European Volleyball Championship

European Volleyball Championship

Scandinavium

21Aug

Aug21

Göteborg Brinner, 22 August 2026

Göteborg Brinner [Gothenburg is on fire] is a brand new one-day metal festival, created by Gothenburg hard rock band In Flames. The festival will take place at Frihamnen on 22 August, 2026 with acts such as Raised Fist, Avatar, Dark Tranquillity, Napalm Death, Thrown, Múr, Gaerea and In Flames themselves.

Press photo of In Flames standing against a building façade

One-day festival for metal fans

Göteborg Brinner

Bananpiren

22Aug

Aug22

View over the square Götaplatsen in Gothenburg. It's nighttime an there is a big stage vith an audience in front. — Credit: Studiografen

Göteborgskalaset – Gothenburg’s City Festival, 27–30 August, 2026

27–30 August 2026, you’re invited to round off the summer with Göteborgskalaset, the city’s big celebration where everyone is welcome. Enjoy everything from beloved artists, dance and circus performances to food experiences and hands-on activities. There’s something for all tastes and ages!

The heart of the festival is in central Gothenburg, and one of this year’s major highlights is that the main stage will move to the square Götaplatsen at the top of the main street Avenyn, offering plenty of space for everyone who wants to enjoy the concerts together. The full programme will be released in early summer, but you can already start looking forward to what’s coming. Keep an eye on goteborgskalaset.se for updates.

Göteborgskalaset was previously known as Göteborgs Kulturkalas, Gothenburg Culture Festival, but changed its name in autumn 2025 – a natural step in the festival’s development into a broader celebration for the whole city. Everything at the festival is free to enjoy, except food and drink.

A massive crowd fills Götaplatsen during an outdoor concert. People stand packed in front of the stage, with the city’s iconic buildings—such as the Art Museum and the City Theatre—surrounding the square. The day is clear, and the whole area buzzes with a lively festival atmosphere.

Free and open to everyone

Göteborgskalaset 2026 – Gothenburg’s City Festival

Gothenburg

27Aug

Aug27

Drone photo of the Ullevi stadium in Gothenburg during a concert. — Credit: House of Vision/Göteborg & Co

Swedish House Mafia, 28–29 August 2026

Gothenburg is set to host one of next summer’s biggest music events as Swedish House Mafia returns to Sweden. A spectacular show awaits at Ullevi – the country’s most iconic arena – and fans from far and wide are expected to attend.

Press photo: Swedish House Mafia standing next to each other. Dark, shadowed image, you can see them unclearly

Concert at Ullevi

Swedish House Mafia

Ullevi stadium

28Aug

Aug28

Black-and-white press photo of the artist Victor Leksell. — Credit: Viktor Sjödin

Victor Leksell, 5 September 2026

On 5 September 2026, Swedish pop sensation Victor Leksell returns to his hometown Gothenburg for a one-of-a-kind concert in the lush surroundings of the park Azaleadalen. This exclusive show will be Leksell’s only live performance of the year and the biggest of his career so far. The open-air concert marks a milestone for the artist, who has long dreamed of performing at this iconic place.

Victor Leksell, press photo, black and white. Victor sits with his arms crossed, wearing a cap with the letters GBG.

Concert in Azaleadalen

Victor Leksell

Slottsskogen city park

5Sep

Sep5

People visiting the Gothenburg Book Fair. — Credit: Peter Kvarnström/Göteborg & Co

Gothenburg Book Fair, 26–29 September 2026

The Gothenburg Book Fair is the largest cultural event in the Nordic region. Held at the Swedish Exhibition & Congress Centre, it welcomes more than 90,000 visitors annually to a rich programme of seminars, talks, author meet-and-greets – and a bustling fair filled with literature for all ages and interests.

The themes for 2026 will be Lifelong Learning (in collaboration with the University of Gothenburg) and Games, organised with support from Göteborg & Co. The honorary guest in 2026 will be the Canadian region of Québec.

Literary festival

Gothenburg Book Fair 2026

The Swedish Exhibition & Congress Centre

24Sep

Sep24

A woman in a red dress standing on a stage at Viva Sound festival in Gothenburg. — Credit: Mattias Eliasson

Viva Sounds, 26–28 November 2026

Viva Sounds is an international club festival, music conference and musical meeting place, held annually in Gothenburg. In 2026 it will be the festivals ninth edition on 26–28 November. The line-up will offer more than 100 concert on 17 different live stages within walking distance of each other.

Concert audience with two people wearing wizard hats and blue capes

International music festival and conference

Viva Sounds 2026

Stigbergstorget

26Nov

Nov26

Major events 2027

MyDog, 3–6 January 2027

MyDog at the Swedish Exhibition & Congress Centre is the largest dog event in the Nordic region – over 9,000 dogs come to compete in two dog shows and most of the world’s dog breeds are represented in the prestigious competitions. The event is also a given meeting place for all dog owners, dog lovers and anyone who wants to learn more about dogs.

A grey poodle in front of a red velvet curtain.

Nordic region’s largest dog event

MyDOG 2027

The Swedish Exhibition & Congress Centre

3Jan

Jan3

A crowd of people standing outside the cinema Draken in Gothenburg. — In 2027, the Göteborg Film Festival will be held for the 50th time. Credit: House of Vision/Göteborg & Co

Göteborg Film Festival, 29 January–7 February 2027

The Göteborg Film Festival – the largest in the Nordic region – will be held for the 50th time in early 2027. This anniversary edition will be something truly special. Stay updated at goteborgfilmfestival.se.

Audience in a large theater hall with several balconies.

Nordic region’s largest film festival

Göteborg Film Festival 2027

Clarion Hotel Draken

29Jan

Jan29

A horse and a rider jumping a obstacle. — Credit: Johan Lilja

Göteburg Horse Show 50 years & FEI World Cup Finals, 24–28 March 2027

The Gothenburg Horse Show is one of the world’s leading indoor equestrian competitions – and in 2027 it turns 50 years! It is celebrated by, among other things, arranging the FEI World Cup™ Finals in show jumping, dressage and vaulting 24–28 March 2027! Read more at gothenburghorseshow.com.

Text: FEI World cup finals and a hashtag

The 2027 Equestrian World Cup Finals

FEI World Cup™ Finals 2027

Scandinavium

24Mar

Mar24

European Mountain Bike Championships 2027, 3–8 August 2027

Come to the Skatås area in Gothenburg and experience the mountainbike world elite as they compete for medals in the European Mountain Bike Championships 2027! The championships include Olympic-format cross-country (XCO), short track (XCC) and the high-intensity mixed team relay between nations (XCR). The event also serves as a qualifying competition for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

A large group of cyclists in colourful racing kits start a mountain bike race on a grassy course, with an inflatable start arch and green trees in the background.

European Mountain Bike Championships

EURO MTB 2027

Brudaremossen 20, Göteborg, Sverige

3Aug

Aug3

Pétanque World Championship 2027, 2–5 September 2027

In 2027, Sweden will host the Pétanque World Championship for the first time in its current format, where singles and doubles are held every other year. The championship will be held at the Scandinavium indoor arena from 2–5 September, when the best pétanque players from around the world will compete for the world championship titles.

Pétanque World Championships

Pétanque World Championship 2027

Scandinavium

2Sep

Sep2

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