Festivals and Annual Events

Held late Jan-early Feb, the Kiruna Festival is termed as the mightiest snow festival in Europe. It is a celebration of winter and includes an ice sculpting competition and a reindeer race, Kiruna. The festival is a weeklong affair. Venue: Kiruna, Sweden Dates: late Jan-early Feb

This is a skating marathon held over a distance of 80 kms and is usually held in mid Jan. With around 8000 competitors racing from Uppsala till Stockholm, over the waters of Lake Malaren, make sure you don’t get in the way of the 16000 blades that fill the course. Apart from locals, people travel from afar to participate and show off their skating skills.

Held annually in early Feb, the Furniture Fair gets together about 750 exhibitors who showcase a a wide variety of furniture, textiles and interior design in Scandinavian style. You can expect to see stylish, yet practical designs from companies like Moroso of Italy, Himolla of Germany, Denmark's Theca and Swedish lighting company Zero.

Everything antique is showcased at this fair, be it coins, stamps, weapons, furniture or art. This is Scandinavia’s largest fair for antiques, art, furniture and design. This fair is always organised in winter.

Enter the world of ‘nautica’ at this show where you will find displayed everything from state-of-the-art power boats to the latest fashions in nautical wear. Boating and aquatic leisure activities in all their aspects are showcased here as well by exhibitors from all over the world.

Come and discover the latest art trends in Scandinavia at this leading venue. A great opportunuty to see, enjoy, and buy Nordic art. Stockholmsmässan Mässvägen 1, Älvsjö Stockholm, Sweden Tel: 46 8 749 41 00 Website:www.stockholmfair.se Date: Early March

The Vasaloppet is a long distance, cross-country ski race held anually in early March. Covering an incredible distance of 90 kms between the village of Salen and the town of Mora, this race sees the participation of over 40,000 competitors. It is slated to be the world’s oldest, longest, and the biggest cross-country ski race. Venue: Dalecarlia Dates: the first Sunday of March

Walpurgis Night is when spring is welcomed with bonfire, group singing and fireworks. Festivities go on in many locations. The arrival of spring has been celebrated at Skansen since 1984. Venue: all over the city Date: 30 April

For the opera lovers, a visit to Drottingham Court is a must. Enjoy your evenings with ballet and opera events at the oldest surviving theater in Europe. Most of the sets here are original, and you get to hear music composed by Mozart, Haydn and earlier composers.

A Taste of Stockholm is held in early June when Stockholm restaurants move into central Kungsträd garden and offer food, drinks and entertainment. Visitors can participate in food-related activities and check out new dishes created especially for this event. This 6-day gastronomical event features countless free events and entertainment.

The historic Old Town of Stockholm comes alive to the sound of music at the annual Early Music Festival where international stars as well as newcomers enthrall audiences with their rendering of early music styles (pre1750), including compositions from the Middle Ages, Renaissance and Baroque periods. Seminars and events for children also form part of this delightful festival.

Midsummer’s Eve is one of the biggest events of the year in Sweden, a pagan time celebration that continues to this date. Festivities include bonfire nights, dancing, and singing of folk songs. Head to Skansen open air museum for 3 days of Midsummer’s Eve celebrations. Venue: Skansen Date: eve of 21st June

Stockholm Marathon is held annually on a Saturday in mid June. Around 18000 participants run two laps of the city, starting and finishing at the Olympic Stadium. The city residents turn out in large numbers to cheer on the runners.

This is the day Gustav Vasa was crowned King of Sweden in 1523, and a new constitution was adopted in 1809. On this day public transport is decorated with blue and yellow flags in a show of nationalism. The King and Queen of Sweden take part in a ceremony at Skansen open-air museum where the national flag is hoisted and children dressed in traditional costumes welcome the royal couple with bouquets of flowers.

Held at the beautiful Skeppsholmen islands, the jazz festival is one of Sweden’s oldest and biggest music festivals that has attracted musicians and music lovers from around the world for over two decades. It is one of the city’s biggest summer events. Venue: Various Website: www.stockholmjazz.com Date: mid - late July.

The Stockholm Summer Games is an annual feature with international competitions for 8 -18 year olds. The games include soccer (football), swimming, wrestling, beach volleyball, streetbasket, minigolf as well as armwrestling. Stockholm visitors can also enjoy competitions in archery, trampoline, and even inline skating.

The Royal Palace Music Festival brings to stage world famous artists in both classical music and jazz. Venue: Kungliga Slottet (Royal Palace) Website: www.royalfestivals.se

The leading festival in all of Sweden, the Stockholm Beer and Whisky Festival is an event that will make you tipsy with the choices exhibited there. Around 500 beers, ciders and whiskies; both international and local, are on display. Apart from tastings, expert seminars and prizes also are part of the festival. Many beer-based dishes can be had at the restaurants at the venue. On-stage entertainment is an integral part of the festivities.

Each year the Stockholm Open tennis tournament sees bigwigs of the professional tennis circuit gather to battle it out for the coveted trophy. The tounament has been graced by players such as Andre Agassi, John McEnroe, Boris Becker and Stefan Edberg.

The annual month-long Christmas Fair spread over the elegant grounds of the Rosendal Palace Gardens is a treat for kids and parents who can spend hours there soaking in the festive atmosphere. Stalls are set up selling craft items, decorations, gifts and toys. Trees strung with fairy lights create a magical aura and the tempting aromas of hot sweets make your mouth water. Enjoy!

This is held during mid-late November at various venues across the city. It offers new filmmakers a competitive platform to showcase their work. Website: www.filmfestivalen.se

For that good ole Christmassy feeling head straight to the seasonal market in the main square in Stockholm’s old town area. With snow and candy, lights and gifts, make the best of the Christmas season. Venue: Stortorget, Gamla Stan Date: Nov - Dec

If you are in Stockholm on New Year’s eve, then head on to Gamla Stan ( Stockholm’s Old Town) where you can listen to the new year’s concert ("Nyårskonsert" in Swedish) at Storkyrkan Church in the evening. Not to be missed is the fireworks over the water, a visual treat. Venue: Cathedral in Gamla Stan Date: 31 Dec

Come Dec 10, the city plays host to the much awaited award ceremony of the year, the Nobel Prizes and banquet. His Majesty Carl XVI Gustaf presents the Nobel Prizes in Economics, Chemistry, Physics, Medicine, and Literature. The ceremony is held in the Stockholm City Hall on the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death. Previous winners, politicians, and royalty from other countries are among those invited to attend.