April 16, 2024
There is one night a year, where Stockholm’s cultural scene opens its doors to the public for free. In 2024, Stockholm Culture Night (Kulturnatt Stockholm) takes place on April 20, with over 190 venues opening their doors from 6 in the evening till midnight, and on Skeppsholmen venues will stay open till 2 in the morning!
With so many venues opening their doors, you can be sure to find something for you to visit all over the city. All activities are free and you won’t need a ticket, except a for a few where you need to pre-book a free ticket due to limited seats. Here are some of our favourite attractions to visit during Culture Night in Stockholm across the city, view the night’s programme to see all venues.
Attractions on Gamla Stan
Stockholm’s Old Town offers over 15 venues to visit during Kulturnatt. Multiple galleries open their doors, many will have artists on site to talk you through the art on display. At Galleri Bollhustäppan you can see beautiful paintings, and step into the 600-year old guardhouse cellar where Thomas Blades will tell you about its history.
At the Nobel Prize Museum, you’ll find DJs, guided tours and a quiz (in Swedish), as well as special menu in the bistro for if you want something to eat during the night. The Stockholm Cathedral offers ‘a night of music’, with performances by choirs, a fiddler and an organist. Meanwhile, the Royal Armoury will give you a behind-the-scenes look at royal theatrical life during the Gustavian era with a visit to the costume workshop.
Culture Night in Norrmalm
Over in Norrmalm 30 venues open their doors for the night. The Royal Swedish Opera building is filled with opera, ballet and music, and is holding an open house with free access so you can listen, explore and try on costumes yourself. Behind the Opera, Kungsträdgården will be a place for dancing with life music and food trucks.
In the Avicii Experience you can take an interactive journey through the artists life and experience for yourself what it is like to DJ in front of thousands of screaming fans. Meanwhile, Kulterhuset celebrates its 50th anniversary with a chance to relive dance and music from each decade on a different floor. And in the Dansmuseet, Dance Museum, you can join in a Dance Croquis Marathon, where through the night you can watch dancers and attempt to make quick sketches of them yourself.
Venues to visit on Skeppsholmen
For a fun Japanese game night with classic arcade games as well as modern masterpieces, K-pop dance, Taikodrums and a Mongolian ger, you can make your way to the Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities. At Moderna Museet, you can visit incredible exhibitions, magical installations and join in an open stage poetry night, a sketch marathon and a Silent Disco. And the Stockholm Toy Museum has live music as well 40,000 toys in their underground exhibition.
At Galleri Mejan, two Academy of Arts’ students will have solo exhibitions on display. In one room, you can experience an immersive sound installation depicting a train station in a transient state between wakefulness and sleep, while in the other a mythical past is united with the present through installations consisting of moving water and woven images.
Museums and attractions on Djurgården
On the island of Djurgården you can travel through time. You can visit the Vikings at the Viking Museum, and warm yourself in a log cabin as you listen to stories about time before electricity at open-air museum Skansen. The Nordiska Museet will take you from the 16th century to present day with the help of its 1.5 million piece collection.
The Vasa Museum takes you back to the 17th century and the ships less than successful launch, and brings magic to its ‘Brickwrecks’ exhibition with close-up magic and interactive LEGO®. At ABBA The Museum you can meet ABBAs designer Owe Sandström and ask him all about their extraordinary costumes. And while you’re here, it’s your turn to become the 5th member of ABBA.
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Swedish culture in Södermalm
The trendy neighbourhood with its many museums and creative hub can of course not be skipped during Stockholm Culture Night. The Almgren Silk Factory and Museum offers tours in English of the silk mill, as well an exhibition on silk shawls, jacquard looms and female workers in the early 19th century. And at Studio Seven Tattoo, you can learn all about the craft, tattoo trends, medieval bestiarys, pinstriping, chain stitching and more from veteran artists.
Try couples Salsa, Bachata and Kizomba dances at iDance Studio Söder, or come and see traditional Mongolian fold dance and music at Medborgarplatsen. Or bring your own instrument to Stockholm Sangeet Sabha, where after an Indian classical concert the stage is open to all. Finally explore Stockholm’s punk culture at the Stockholm City Museum, where there will be an art exhibition, you can test your skills in one of the melodic puzzles or sit down in front of a marathon screening of the legendary artist Carl Johan De Geer's films.
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