Things to do in Stockholm this weekend

After a decade of silence, The Hives released new music in 2023 and over the summer another album came out. The band is now on a world tour that arrives in Stockholm on Saturday. A mix of old favourite songs and new additions await.

The season for Christmas markets is finally here, so if you want to spend the weekend browsing among crafts and delicacies, warming yourself with some mulled wine, and perhaps buying a couple of Christmas gifts, there are several places to choose from. This weekend, you can visit Skansen, Bar Zeppelin och Stortorget, a little excursion away from the city. Here we have gathered more cosy Christmas markets.

The exclusive restaurant concept Oddnorm is described as something out of the ordinary, with food, music, art, and decadence combined to surprise guests in a carefully orchestrated experience. The experience lasts for about three hours and costs 1700 SEK for the tasting menu and 1100–4500 SEK for the drinks package. If you want a slightly smaller dose of the concept, you can visit the bar Oddbar next door to the restaurant, where you can choose food and drinks from an à la carte menu while listening to various DJs.

For over 30 years, ArkDes has invited children, young people, adults, amateurs, and professionals to exhibit their gingerbread houses at the museum on Skeppsholmen. Now it's time again, and this weekend the exhibition and competition opens, attracting gingerbread architects of all ages and thousands of visitors. This year's theme is love.

This summer, Peg Parnevik performed at stages and festivals across Sweden, and last autumn her debut album was released. This Friday, the artist will take the stage at Slaktkyrkan for a concert promising smashed-up guitars, singalongs, rock'n'roll, and sweat. Expect Peg's characteristic stage presence and attitude as well.

Stockholm's perhaps sweetest Christmas market can be found this weekend at Torsgatan 30, where Norra Bangården, together with Tiny Chairs, has created a winter oasis filled with dreamy baked goods. At the Christmas Cake Yard, cafés, bakers, and creators come together to offer sweets and other delights featuring flavours from around the world. Pop in for a cosy treat and make sure to pick up a Christmas gift or two!

At Lucy's Flower Shop, they skip advent and instead celebrate the Winter Solstice with a specially curated cocktail menu. Over the last four Sundays before Christmas, playful and slightly challenging drinks inspired by how the Winter Solstice has been celebrated in different cultures, eras, and stories. This Sunday, the drinks will also be accompanied by music.

This weekend, it's once again time for Club Anne-Marie to take over Restaurant ART in Hagastaden. As usual, it will be a proper night out with DJ Leo.B providing the music and “Big Boss” Jonas D and his entourage mingling and swaying – all in an inclusive atmosphere. This Saturday will also feature a sausage theme and the Oslo phenomenon "ugly drag".

At the Royal Opera House, you can experience the classic ballet performance Swan Lake. In the grand setting of the Opera, Rudolf Nureyev's legendary choreography tells the story of Prince Siegfried and the Swan Princess with technical precision and enchanting sensuality. Equally appreciated by newcomers and seasoned ballet enthusiasts.

Explore the city through its culinary delights with Moveat, which arranges food walks directly from your mobile. All you need to do is download the app, select a neighbourhood, and discover 6–8 restaurants over 4–5 hours. All the information is available in the app, so you can take the stops in any order and at your own pace, without a pre-defined group or guide. The food walk takes you to both well-known places and hidden gems – and perhaps you'll discover a new favourite restaurant? The price includes food at all stops. Drinks are purchased separately.

In a large exhibition about the Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun, modern technology combines with historical treasures to bring history to life. Over 375 square metres, images are projected on walls and floors, allowing visitors to step straight into ancient Egypt. With the help of VR and AR, one can also follow the journey to the Valley of the Kings, learn about Egypt's gods, myths and legends, and gain insight into one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of all time. Tutankhamun – The Immersive Exhibition is displayed at Magasin 9 in Frihamnen.

Combine pleasure with knowledge and join a wine tasting in the charming cellar vaults of the Old Town. Taystas organises tastings with a variety of themes such as classic tasting, sparkling wine, and wine and cheese pairing. Guided by a knowledgeable sommelier, you'll learn about the basic flavours of wine, how to pair wine with food, and the methodology of tasting wine. Expect plenty of laughter and useful knowledge.

The German artist Carsten Höller's artwork Stockholm Slides consists of two parallel, spiral slides that run from the roof of the Moderna Museet down to Slupskjulsvägen. Go up, slide down, and experience art in a whole new way as you ride the 39-metre-long slide. Free rides are included in the museum entrance price.

Time to upgrade your wardrobe a little? This Saturday is the clothing swap day and Christmas market at Downtown Camper Café. Just bring five gently used garments or accessories that you can exchange with others, and explore the area for fun and unique finds. It's both sustainable, budget-friendly, and fun.

Bolero is a play by author and podcaster Sigge Eklund, a chamber piece in two acts featuring Eklund's thespian grandparents Bengt Eklund and Fylgia Zadig. In the play, the two confront each other in a marital reckoning of life and death. Over the course of one day and one night, the inevitable collision between them and the children Jens and Tim – inspired by the brothers Sigge and Fredrik Eklund – unfolds. Johan Ulveson and Lena Endre portray the grandparents, while Max Ulveson and Isac Calmroth play the children.

This weekend it's time for Punsch Brunch at Riche, a newly established tradition that recurs on the first Saturday of every month. As well as arrack-based cocktails, brunch dishes and punsch-friendly food, there will be cultural enrichment in the form of poetry readings. Book a table or drop in spontaneously.

Lonely Together is a performance based on Avicii's music. What makes it extra special is that the audience is placed on stage, among the artists, and through dance, music, and performing arts, they get to experience the highs and lows of life up close – in fact, even closer than the front row.

Three of Sweden's leading comedy groups have joined forces to create the joint production Trassel. The show is a Swedish version of Ray Cooney's Out of Order and is set at Grand Hôtel in Stockholm in 1964, where a forbidden love affair comes to an abrupt end when a body is discovered in one of the hotel rooms. In the lead roles are Peter Dalle from Lorry, Killinggänget's Robert Gustafsson, and Anders Jansson, who helped found HippHipp, among others. 

August Strindberg's classic play, The Father, is being performed at Kulturhuset Stadsteatern. The play has been adapted and offers a psychological game of power struggle, manipulation and betrayal within a family that is soon in free fall. The main roles are played by Lena Olin and Peter Andersson.

50 years have passed since Magnus Uggla first took to the stage as a musical artist in Sweden, an anniversary he's celebrating with a show at Göta Lejon. Together with a ten-piece band, he will perform the show “50 Years on the Throne” which is said to feature “hits, hits and more hits”.

At the beginning of September, Cliff Barnes Distillery in Vasastan launched its direct sales. This means that every Saturday from midday–2.30pm, you can take a distillery tour that includes two tastings, after which you can purchase spirits such as gin, aquavit, and liqueurs from the cellar distillery. No booking is required, just pop into Restaurant Sue Ellen and sign up on the list.

Round off the week at Bio Rio, which invites you to breakfast cinema in Hornstull. This weekend they're showing Lord of the Rings and the Christmas classic Love Actually on Sunday. So just book your spot and sink into your seat with a cup of coffee and perhaps a sandwich?  

On Sundays, you can try throwing pottery on a wheel at The Creativity House in Kungsholmen. Guided by a knowledgeable instructor, you will go through the various steps of the craft and create items such as mugs and bowls. Clay and firing are included in the price, and those who wish can also purchase glazing. 

By the water at Stadsgårdskajen lies Fotografiska, known for its exhibitions featuring both established and new photographers from around the world. Currently on display are the jubilee exhibition 15 Fotografiska År, Meanwhile by Noah Agemo, Amanda Gylling, Andy Allen-Olivar and Ailin Mirlashari, Du såg mig med orädda ögon by Tobias Regell and EX YOU by Šejla Kamerić.

The Big Ben pub in Södermalm has a laughter guarantee every day. The basement hosts stand-up comedy every evening of the week, where people flock to laugh along with both famous and unknown comedians. Advance booking is recommended, as weekend performances often sell out.

In the decades around the turn of the 20th century, a great deal happened in Stockholm: the city transformed from a rural archipelago town into a modern capital. With a rapidly growing population, conflicts, hotspots and oppositions emerge, but it was also a time characterised by new technology, social movements, and entrepreneurship. The City Museum's exhibition New Stockholm – the turn of the 20th century portrays this era with hundreds of never-before-seen objects, drawings, and photographs from the museum's collections.

Want to keep up with all the fun happenings in Stockholm coming up? Then check out our calendar where we gather events for all tastes and preferences. You can also inform us Here if we've missed out on any exciting events.