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What’s on in Sweden: December 19 – 25

What's on in Sweden: December 19th - 25th. Magic Numbers and Clash tribute in Stockholm; Polar exhibition and Woody West's Christmas Bash in Gothenburg; magical organic market near Malmö

Published: 18 December 2008 14:50 CET

STOCKHOLM

Magic Numbers (UK)

The Ealing rockers and sibling quartet The Magic Numbers will be playing Stockholm on the cusp of this Christmas week.

The group released their critically acclaimed self-titled debut album in 2005 and swiftly followed up the success with Those the Brokes in 2006.

They are regular visitors to these northern climes and can on this occasion be seen at newly opened Södermalm venue Strand (formerly Street).

Price: 270 kronor

Time: Saturday December 20th, 8.30pm

Location: Strand, Hornstulls strand

Tickets: Magic Numbers Tickets

More information: Strand

Hey Joe – A tribute to Joe Strummer and The Clash

The Clash Society and Södra Teatern have joined forces for the third year running to pay tribute to Joe Strummer and The Clash.

The evening will be enlivened by guest performances from Neneh Cherry, Noice, Anna Maria Espinosa and many others.

So if you find yourself at home thinking one day is fine, the next is black – as it tends to be at this time of year – don’t let the indecision bug you and just go.

Price: 195 kronor

Time: Saturday December 10th, 8pm

Tickets: Hey Joe Tickets

Location: Kägelbanan, Södra Teatern, Mosebacke torg 1-3

More information: The Clash Society

Skansen – Christmas Market

Skansen has been arranging a Christmas market since 1903 and with only one weekend left to Yuletide, take the chance to visit the pride of Djurgården and stock up on goodies and fill in the blanks on you shopping list.

For many Stockholmers a visit to the Christmas Market at Skansen is the traditional start of the festive season. You can find everything from handicrafts, confectionery, delicacies such as reindeer meat, mustards and cheeses, and many other gift items. All in the magical surroundings of Skansen’s grounds with Stockholm’s inner harbour as a backdrop.

There is also of course music, dancing and mulled wine with a hunt for Santa topping off the Christmas experience.

Price: 75 kronor (35 kronor for the children)

Time: Saturday – Sunday 20th-21st, 10am – 4pm

Location: Skansen

More information: Christmas at Skansen

GOTHENBURG

Woody Fest – Big Christmas Party

Woody West’s Christmas bash is as traditional as ginger bread and mulled wine at Pustervik.

This year’s party features local up-and-coming band Bye Bye Bicycle. The band’s debut album is in the pipeline and scheduled for release in early 2009 and is tipped to send them into the pop stratosphere. This could therefore be your chance to both escape the in-laws and all that pickled herring, and rack up a story to tell the grand kids.

Price: 100 kronor

Time: Thursday December 25th 10pm

Location: Pustervik Theatre bar, Järntorgsgatan 12

Tickets:Ticnet

More Information: Woody West

The Polar Climate at Universeum

Universeum is Scandinavia’s largest science centre and places the nature, climate and environment of our earth and universe firmly in focus.

A new exhibition entitled The Polar Climate opens on Thursday and visitors can marvel at the feel of ice, lay a snowflake puzzle, witness record-breaking hailstones at first hand, see the northern lights and generally experience the great polar wilderness.

So if riding a polar bear or snow scooter is your idea of Christmas fun pay a visit to Universeum – a national project very much under perpetual development.

Price: Free for under 4s, 95 kronor for 4-16 year-olds and 145 kronor for adults

Time: Sunday December 21st – Thursday April 30th, 10am-6pm

Location: Universeum, Södra vägen 50

More information: Universeum

SOUL STEP 2008 – Streedance

SOUL STEP is an international streetdance festival which is arranged for the third consecutive year.

Choreographers, judges and dancers descend on Gothenburg from around Sweden, Europe and the USA.

Price: 100 kronor/day or 150 kronor for a two day ticket

Time: Friday December 19th 7pm-10.30pm; Saturday December 20th, 1pm-7pm

Location: Pustervik Theatre, Järntorgsgatan 12

Tickets:Ticnet

More Information: Pustervik Theatre

MALMÖ/ÖSTERLEN

Christmas bash at Debaser

Svenska Musikklubben is a pop music club that is a regular feature of Debaser’s events calender. The club has a recently established the tradition of holding a Christmas party featuring 7-8 artists behind a host band. Speedmarket Avenue are the partner of choice this yuletide and will be joined by Ane Brun, Love Antell from Florence Valentin, Twig, The Early Days and many more.

Happy Christmas y’all…

Price: 100 kronor

Time: Friday December 19th, 8pm

Tickets: On the door

Location: Debaser, Norra Parkgatan 2

More Information: Debaser

Les Garcons de Jazz

Afternoon jazz at Malmö’s legendary French bistro La Couronne.

La Couronne is bar/bistro run by Alain from Calais and Younes from Paris. Together they bring a little ‘je ne sais quoi’ to Malmö’s main shopping street.

This Friday afternoon Les Garcons de Jazz will provide a little light relief for those tired feet exhausted from that last minute consumer feeding frenzy.

Price: Free of charge

Location: La Couronne, Södra Förstadsgatan 36

Time: Friday December 19th, 3pm

More Information: La Couronne

Mandelmann’s Gardens – Organic Christmas market

Mandelmann’s Gardens in the picturesque village Rörum, an hour east of Malmö is one of the gems in the region known as Österlen (the south-eastern corner of Skåne). Run by a slightly eccentric couple dedicated to the earth, the seasons and all things organic, their small holding is an oasis of paths, ponds, livestock and nooks and crannies.

A Christmas tradition at Mandelmann’s is the organic produce market and on offer are a wide range of fruit and veg, chutney’s, sauces and assorted food products.

Price: Free of charge

Location: Mandelmann’s Gardens, Djupadal Rörum

Time: Saturday December 20th – Sunday December 21st, 10am – 6pm

More Information: Mandelmann’s Gardens

Eight corona-safe events not to miss in Germany in October 2020

One of the displays at the Ludwigsburg Pumpkin Festival in 2019. Photo: DPA

The coronavirus pandemic has significantly disrupted Germany’s events calendar this year, with staple celebrations such as Oktoberfest being cancelled due to safety concerns.

But despite restrictions, organisers have adapted to the circumstances and put together corona-safe events that can be enjoyed by all (albeit at a safe distance).

Here are some of the most exciting events to look out for in October:

German Unity Day Exhibition: September 5th – October 4th

The commemorative exhibition is running over thirty days to allow social distancing to be maintained. Photo: DPA

The Tag der Deutschen Einheit (German Unity Day) is one of the nine nationwide public holidays in Germany and takes place on October 3rd every year.

It commemorates the formal completion of the reunification process between the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) and the German Democratic Republic (East Germany) after decades of division.

It is normally celebrated with open air concerts and attractions in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, but due to coronavirus things will look slightly different this year.

A special anniversary celebration on October 3rd at Potsdam’s Metropolis will be attended by only 240 guests, six times fewer than originally planned.

The event, which includes performances from musicians and interviews, will be broadcast for people to watch on television.

There’s also no need to miss out on celebrating entirely – a special open air exhibition is running in Potsdam, the capital of Brandenburg, until October 4th.

The exhibition has been extended to last thirty days to ensure that a safe distance can be maintained amongst visitors.

Berlin Leuchtet Illuminations: September 25th – October 4th

The light show at the Brandenburg Gate this year celebrates 30 years of German unity. Photo: DPA

It’s not too late to catch the tail end of Berlin’s spectacular illumination festival. As the darker evenings draw in, many of the city’s landmarks are being lit up with colourful projections, videos and laser shows.

The illuminated buildings are scattered all over the city, with some highlights including Gendarmenmarkt, the Brandenburg Gate and the Victory Column in Tiergarten.

It is asked that visitors maintain 1.5 metres distance and the wearing of face masks is recommended.

Halloween Horror Festival at Movie Park Germany: October 1st – November 8th

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Be warned: this event is most definitely not for the faint hearted! Head to Bottrop on North-Rhine Westphalia to test your wits in the horror mazes at Germany’s most popular Halloween Festival.

Various spooky attractions including gut-churning rides, live entertainment and haunted houses await those brave enough to visit, although most are only suited for those above the age of 16.

The park is open every Thursday to Sunday in October, as well as on November 1st and November 6th – 8th.

Advance booking is essential due to strict capacity limits, and no costumes are allowed – the only masks permitted this year are the mouth-nose coverings that prevent the spread of the virus!

European Month of Photography: October 1st – October 31st

The European Month of Photography has something to offer for everyone. Photo: DPA

This October sees Germany’s largest photography festival return to Berlin. The event has taken place every other year since 2004, and offers a wide range of exhibitions for photography enthusiasts to enjoy.

For the whole month of October, 100 galleries, photography schools, museums and other cultural institutions will offer the public a chance to see incredible work from 500 artists across Europe.

Exhibitions can be found all across the capital and also in the nearby city of Potsdam.

Ludwigsburg Pumpkin Festival: August 28th – December 6th

The festival boasts impressive pumpkin displays and fun-filled activities. Photo: DPA

A trip to Ludwigsburg is an essential for all those in awe of autumn, and makes for a fun day out for the whole family.

This year’s theme is music, with various impressive pumpkin displays paying tribute to famous artists ranging from Elvis to the Rolling Stones.

The programme also boasts an array of other activities: try your hand at pumpkin carving, sample pumpkin flavoured specialties or visit the pumpkin Santa Claus tent to get in the festive mood!

German Mozart Festival Augsburg: October 9th – October 31st

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A post shared by Deutsche Mozartstadt Augsburg (@mozartstadt) on Sep 14, 2020 at 3:47am PDT

Classical music fans won’t want to miss this celebration of the two of the greatest composers of all time, Beethoven and Mozart.

The German town of Augsburg, birthplace of Leopold Mozart (Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s father), is hosting various concerts to celebrate the life and work of these two classical titans.

Events range from lower-key chamber music recitals to large-scale renditions of their most impressive symphonies, and includes performances from renowned soloists and orchestras.

Games Week Berlin: October 28th – October 30th

The gaming conference may be online this year, but there is still lots on offer. Photo: DPA

This year’s Games Week won’t be held in Berlin’s Kulturbrauerei as normal, but game lovers need not fear – an extensive online programme is available for everyone to enjoy.

The festival’s three strands – “Play Experience”, “Pro Experience” and “Art Experience” – offer something for everyone, from gaming enthusiasts to industry creatives.

Live ‘let’s plays’, multiplayer tournaments, interviews with gaming influencers and game development conferences are just some of the events available to those who purchase an online ticket.

Wine tasting along the Deutsche Weinstraße – Various dates in October

Despite cancellations, there are still plenty of chances to try some German wine. Photo: DPA

September and October marks grape harvesting season in Germany, meaning it is the perfect time to taste some of the best wines the country has to offer.

Sadly, many of the wine festivals that usually take place along the German Wine Route have been cancelled this year, but there are still ample opportunities that are too good to miss.

Take a weekend trip to the Bacchus Wine Festival in the town of Bad Dürkheim in Rhineland-Palatinate, where you’ll find live music, delicious food and plenty of wine.

Similar delights await visitors in the nearby Weisenheim am Sand, albeit at reduced capacity. The company BottleStops also offers group and private tours to visitors who want to get a taste of local wineries, a majority which are currently open.

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