Something for the Weekend: The Local's Guide to What's On

Warm up for Christmas Swedish style, head to a traditional English carol service or escape from the Yuletide rush altogether. We've got the weekend sorted.

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STOCKHOLM

Concerts/Music:

Globen's Lucia Concert

A Christmas concert fit for all ages.

Location: Stockholm Globen Arena.
Saturday, December 15th, 4pm
Sunday, December 16th, 12pm and 4pm

Tickets: 077- 170 70 70 or www.ticnet.se


ABBA Orchestra Christmas Show

Join the original ABBA Orchestra and well known Swedish artists such as Jessica Folcker and Magnus Carlsson in a Christmas extravaganza on Saturday. There will also be a Swedish Christmas smörgåsbord, and dancing after the show.

Minimum Age: 18 (unless accompanied by a parent or a guardian).
Price: 909 - 1698 kronor

Location: Annexet, Globen.
Time: Thursday 13th, Friday 14th, Saturday 15th December, 5.30pm
Phone: 077- 131 00 00

More information: www.abbaorchestra.se

Book tickets online: www.ticnet.se or at 077- 170 70 70


Stjärnjul, A Starry Christmas Show

Join two choirs, guest stars, and an orchestra in celebrating Christmas through both traditional and contemporary Christmas music at Stockholm's biggest evangelical church. Due to the show's growing popularity, there will be five performances this year.

Location: Filadelfia Church, Rörstrandsgatan 5.
Friday, December 14th, 7pm
Saturday, December 15th, 12pm, 3.30pm, and 7pm

More information: www.filadelfia.nu
Tickets: 077- 170 70 70 or www.ticnet.se


Galleries:

Platina

A gallery, shop and studio for contemporary jewellry. Each piece has a character of its own. The owners also work outside the gallery with exhibitions and seminars.

Location: Odengatan 68.
Friday, December 14th, 12pm-6pm
Saturday, December 15th, 11am-3pm
...and continuing.

More information: www.platina.se


Annual Gingerbread House Competition

A record number of 93 gingerbread houses have been entered into Stockholm's annual gingerbread house competition. This year's theme - Metropolis.

Price: 50 kronor (under 19 free)

Location: Arkitekturmuseet, Skeppsholmen.
Times: Friday/Saturday/Sunday 10am-6pm
...and continuing to January 6th.

More information: 08- 587 270 00


Gerry Johansson

During the past year, Gerry Johansson has focused mainly on urban photography. However, in his new exhibition, Landsbygd (Countryside) at Nordiska Museet, he depicts rural Sweden in black and white photographs. The exhibition features Johansson's work from the 1980s to today.

Location: Nordiska Museet, Djurgårdsvägen 6-16.
Friday 10am-4pm
Saturday/Sunday 11am-5pm
...and continuing to 7th January 2008.

Entrance fee: 60kr (under-18s free)

More information: www.nordiskamuseet.se


Christmas Markets

Kungsträdgården

Kungsträdgården's Christmas Market (Kungsans julmarknad) is now open. You can find anything from traditional Swedish warm mulled wine (glögg) and reindeer meat to Swedish Santa dolls (jultomtar).

Location: Kungsträdgården, Stockholm.
Times: Every day until December 23rd 11am - 6pm


Stortorget

Here in the heart of Gamla Stan is one of Stockholm's oldest Christmas markets. The market has been held in its current form since 1915, but a market of some sort has been held on the site for many centuries. On Saturday 8th November, a children's song contest will be held at 2pm.

Location: Stortorget, Gamla Stan
Times: Daily from 24th November-23rd December, 11am-6pm


Skansen

Another classic Christmas market. 'Jul' at Skansen is about as olde-world as it gets. Munch on scrumptious Swedish winter food buy decorations and craftwork and dance round the Christmas tree. And who could resist the opportunity to warm up for Christmas in the presence of some real, live reindeer?

Entrance: 60 kronor adults, 30 kronor children 6-15
Location: Skansen
Times: 8th-9th, 15th-16th December, 11am-5pm


STREET- Christmas Bazaar for Art, Design & Food

Experience a different kind of Christmas market this season at Street. As well as the traditional Christmas market fare available, Street offers clothes, toys, and a book exchange.

Location: Hornstulls Strand 4.
Saturday, December 15th and Sunday, December 16th 11am-5pm
...and continuing.

More information: 08- 669 38 90 or www.streetinstockholm.se (Swedish).


Other:

Nobel Museum

In the spirit of Nobel Week, visit the Nobel Museum where you can learn more about the Prize, the Laureates and their ideas. You can explore the works of over 700 Nobel Prize winners through short films, artifacts, and computers. There are also tours in English of the main exhibition, Cultures of Creativity, at 11.15am and 3pm daily.

Price: 60 kronor (7-18 years 20 kronor).

Location: Börshuset, Stortorget, Gamla Stan.
Friday/Saturday/Sunday 11am-5pm
...and continuing.

More information: www.nobelmusem.se (English).


Gröna Lund

Stockholm's theme park Gröna Lund has reopened for the winter season. Enjoy the rides, do some Christmas shopping, or skate on the ice rink.

More information: www.gronalund.com


Christmas at the English Church

The Anglican Episcopal Church of St. Peter and St. Sigfrid will hold two Christmas services on Sunday:

Children's Carols and Candles
Sunday 16th December, 3pm
For children and their families
Father Christmas wil put in an appearance after the service.

Service of Nine Lessons and Carols
Sunday 16th December, 6pm
The traditional English Christmas service – arrive early to be sure of a pew.

Location: The Anglican Episcopal Church of St. Peter and St. Sigfrid
Dag Hammarskjölds Väg 14 (just across from Berwaldhallen)
Buses 44, 47, 56, 69, 76
More information: 08 663 8248 or
stockholm.anglican@comhem.se



GOTHENBURG

Galleries:

Göt(h)eborg in the World

The Maritime Museum (Sjöfartsmuseet) presents a different picture of the ship, Götheborg III. Learn about what has changed and what remains the same.

Price: 40 kronor (under-20 free)

Location: Sjöfartsmuseet och Akvariet, Karl johansgatan 1-3.
Times: Friday, December 14th, 10am-5pm
Saturday/Sunday 11am-5pm
…and continuing.


Home and Homelessness

An exhibition that places home and homelessness in relation to politics, rights, and even home furnishings. It asks us how to define a home and what it truly means to be homeless.

Price: 20 kronor (under 20 free)

Location: Gothenburg's Stadsmusem, Norra hamngatan 12.
Times: Friday/Saturday/Sunday 10am-5pm
Phone: 031- 61 27 70


Nan Goldin

The American photographer was in the news after one of her images (owned by Elton John) was seized in Britain after police deemed it 'indecent'. The investigation was later dropped. On a brighter note, she won the prestigious Hasselblad Prize, meaning her work is currently on display at Gothenburg's Hasselblad Center.

Open Friday Sunday 11am-5pm, Wednesday 11am-9pm, Tuesdays & Thursday's 11am-6pm. Exhibition continues to 13th January.
Location: Hasselblad Center, Konstmuseet, Gtaplatsen.

More information: www.hasselbladcenter.se

Films:

The Spectacular Christmas Film

Following tradition, this year a huge Christmas film will be projected onto the Art Museum's (Konstmuseets) wall at Götaplatsen (Swedish). Three showings daily.

Price: Free entrance.

Location: Götaplatsen
Times: Every day 5.30pm, 6pm, and 6.30 pm
...and continuing.

More information and schedule: Julens Magiska Rum


Concerts and clubs:

Julkonserten 2007

A musical experience celebrating Christmas with happiness and laughter. The theme for this year's concert is 'Wish Upon A Star' as the organizers, Julius Production and CS Event, support a school project in South Africa named 'Star School.'

Price: 355-450 kronor

Location: Scandinavium, Valhallagatan 1.
Time: Saturday, December 15th, 7.30pm

More information: www.scandinavium.se


Christmas Concert at the Vasa Church

Celebrate Christmas this year at a concert with the newly crowned Lucia of Gothenburg.

Price: 50 kronor

Location: Vasakyrkan Polhems Platsen 5.
Time: Friday, December 14th, 7pm

Phone: 03- 1624558


JulLotta

Join in the festivities at Liseberg in the weeks heading up to Christmas. For the next three Sundays, Lotta Engberg hosts JulLotta with some of Sweden's best artists. This weekend is the final performance with Sanna Nielsen, Martin Stenmarck, and Solid Gospel.

Location: Stora Scenen, Liseberg
Sunday, December 16th, 4pm

More information: www.liseberg.com


Celtic Christmas

West of Eden presents the Celtic Christmas Concert together with John McGlynn from Anuna and Haga Motettkör.

Location: Haga Kyrkan, Haga Östergata 30.
Time: Saturday, December 15th, 5pm and 8pm

More information: www.westofeden.com
Tickets: www.pusteviksbiljetter.com


Other:

Winter Landscape at Bältespännar Park

Come enjoy the winter landscape and warm up with some hot chocolate, glögg, or gingerbread and the open fireplaces.

Price: Free

Location: Bältespännar Park.
Times: Friday/Saturday/Sunday 12pm-8pm
...and continuing to Monday, December 24th.

Christmas Markets:

Nordstan’s Christmas Market

Nordstan’s Christmas market presents mystical handicraft from all different old and new designers.

Location: Nordstan
Times: Friday, December 14th, 10am-6pm
Saturday, December 15th, 10am-5pm
Sunday, December 16th, 11am-4pm
…and continuing until December 30th.


Christmas at Liseberg

Celebrate Christmas this year at Liseberg which hosts Sweden's largest Christmas market. You can find anything from homemade mustard to beautiful artwork and Christmas sweets.

Location: Liseberg
Friday, November 30th, 3pm - 10pm
Saturday, December 1st, 12pm - 10 pm
Sunday, December 2nd, 1pm - 9pm
...and continuing


More information: www.liseberg.com



MALMÖ

Galleries:

Hard Rain

An outdoor exhibition with photographs by renowned British photographer Mark Edwards that raises awareness of our climate change issues. For the exhbition, he traveled to over 150 countries to document how climate changes affect the environment and the lives of ordinary people.

Price: 40 kronor (Children 7-15 10 kronor)

Location: Borggården, Malmö Museer.
Times: Friday/Saturday/Sunday 12pm-4pm

Phone: 040- 34 44 37


Houses of Memory

An exhibition by both Swedish and South African artists that 'attempts to understand the present and the future.' It has now come to Sweden after previously being shown in South Africa.

Price: 40 kronor (adult), 10 kronor (children 7-15 years)

Location: Slottsholmen, Malmö Museer, Malmöhusvägen
Times: Friday/Saturday/Sunday 12pm-4pm
...and continuing to March 2nd.

Phone: 040- 34 44 37


World Conflicts in Focus

Lukas Einseles' and Cecilia Parsberg's own interpretations of two world conflicts.

Location: Fotografins rum, Malmöhusvägen 7.
Times: Friday/Saturday/Sunday, 12pm-4pm
...and continuing to February 24th, 2008.
Phone: 040- 34 44 39


Peter Wahlbeck

Peter Wahlbeck's paintings are currently on display at Galleri Rönnquist & Rönnquist. Downstairs is an exhibition of Karolina Wojcik's work.

Location: Galleri Rönnquist & Rönnquist, Isak Slaktaregatan 3.
Friday, November 30th 12pm - 6pm
Saturday, December 1st, and Sunday, December 2nd 12pm - 3pm
...and continuing until December 16th.


Concerts and Clubs:

Christmas Concert

Malmö Brass Band and guest artist, Mi Ridell, bring you everything from Rutter's Gloria to more profane seasonal songs.

Price: 250 kronor

Location: Stadionkyrkan, Stensjögatan 1.
Time: Saturday, December 15th, 6pm

Phone: 040- 16 17 29


Get Lucky- Jonas Game

One of Sweden’s best drummers, Jonas from BCQ, performs with his new band.

Price: 80 kronor (Free admission between 7pm and 10pm).
Age: 20+

Location: Debaser, Norra Parkgatan 2.
Time: Saturday, December 15th, 7pm-3am

More information: Jonas Game or info@debaser.nu


Love is All You Need

Clabbe presents the best hits from the 1960's performed by Sweden's best tribute band, Liverpool and The Repeatles, in a truly nostalgic Christmas show. The theatre opens at 6.30 pm on both Friday and Saturday, but the show does not begin until around 9pm.

Location: Teater Slagthuset, Jörgen Kocksgatan 7A.
Times: Friday, November 30th, 6.30pm
Saturday, December 1st, 6.30pm
...and continuing to December 15th

More information: Slagthuset (Swedish).


Theatre/Entertainment

The Wallman’s Festival

Three hours of pranks, and sing-a-long songs at Wallmans restaurant. A barbeque buffet will be served. Mycket Svenskt.

Price: 245-1690 kronor

Location: Wallmans Golden Hits, Generalsgatan 1.
Time: Friday, December 14th, 6.30 pm
Saturday, December 15th, 6.30pm
…and continuing.

Phone: 040-749 45
Tickets: 077-170 70 70


Best of Dallas

Teater Terrier's twentieth and final production, Best of Dallas, "is about all the love we never got to see" in the long-running TV series. The producers say the production plays with Dallas's fetishes "in exploring male fantasies about power and sexuality."

Location: Teater Terrier, Norra Vallgatan 28.
Saturday December 15th 7.30pm
Sunday, December 16th 7.30 pm

Phone: 040-10 30 20

More information: Best of Dallas (Swedish).


Kids

Santa's House

Come meet Father (and, in this case, Mother) Christmas and personally give them your Christmas wishes.

Location: Gustav Adolfs Torg
Times: Friday, December 14th, 10am-5pm
Saturday/Sunday 11am-5pm
...and continuing to December 22nd.


60 Years of Svenska Lundby Doll's Houses

Take a peek inside ten exclusive doll's house with furnishings and dolls dating back to the 1940s. Svenska Lundby was the first company in the world to
mass-produce electrical doll's houses.

Location: Fredriksbergsgatan 16E.
Saturday, December 15th, 11am
Sunday, December 16th, 11am
...and continuing until January 13th.

More information: Museet Leksaksland.


Other

Horse and Carriage

See the city in a new way with a tour in a horse and carriage. Departures from Gustav Adolfs torg.

Location: Gustav Adolfs torg, Lilla Nygatan.
Time: Saturday, December 15th, 1pm-4pm
Sunday, December 16th, 1pm-4pm


Ice Skating in Folkets Park

You can ice skate outdoors all winter this year at Malmö Folkets Park. Ice skates (sizes 27-45) are available to rent 4pm-7pm on the weekdays and 10am-5pm on weekends. Rental is 30 kronor/half hour.

For group skate rental at another time, please contact Föreningen Ponnygården Arken at 0705- 17 65 05.

Location: Folkets Park, Amiralsgatan 35.
Times: November 24th to March 2nd 10am-7pm

Christmas at Statarmuseet

Statarmuseet, a culture museum in Sweden's third city, is holding a Christmas exhibition. See how Swedes used to mark Christmas, the food they ate and the way they decorated their homes.

Location: Statarmuseet, Torupsvägen 606-59.
Time: Sunday, December 16th, 11am-5pm
Phone: 040- 44 70 90

More information: www.statarmuseet.com


Christmas Markets:

Christmas Market in Södertull

This year's Christmas Market in Södertull is now open. Here you can find traditional handicraft, Christmas sweets and food.

Location: Södra Tullgatan.
Friday, December 14th 11am - 6pm
Saturday, December 15th, 11 - 6pm
Sunday, December 16th 11am - 6pm
...and continuing until December 23rd.

More information: Södertull Christmas Market


UPPSALA

Winter Sauna at Fyrishov

Warm up in Fyrishov's large, wood-fuelled sauna, then give the body a refreshing shock in the adjacent ice pool. A 25C warm pool is available for the faint-hearted.

Location: Idrottsgatan 2, Uppsala
Open until the end of February.

More information: www.fyrishov.se

Jasmine Enberg