Culture in Stockholm - a guide to the city's top spots for culture

In listed industrial premises close to Liljeholmen, Färgfabriken has been exhibiting contemporary art since 1995, from artists including Marianne Lindberg De Geer and Carl Johan De Geer. All cultural forms come together here, with an emphasis on art, architecture and town planning. Challenging, sure, but it's not just for high-brow culture vultures - everyone's welcome at Färgfabriken. 

Liljevalchs is probably most closely associated with their spring salon, but art lovers visit this art gallery all year round to enjoy the exhibitions and surroundings. The gallery's aim is to make art accessible to a wide public, but if you want you can also take a deep dive into specific art forms and artists here. 

GSB was founded in Sofo in 2008 and has become a popular gallery associated with young contemporary art and packed exhibitions. There's lots to see and experience here, particularly if you're interested in street art and related areas.

Under Bron gathers together different art forms under the same roof. There are nightclubs, well-known DJs and exhibitions where various creatives show their art in various different forms and styles. Often of the more unexpected kind. 

Stockholm's numerous galleries have something for everyone, whether you want to buy art, go on an art tour or see interesting exhibitions. The galleries and art museums show both new and established artists within disciplines including painting, photography, installations and performance. We've gathered together Stockholm's best galleries in this guide. 

Whether you're a hardcore art enthusiast or not, Moderna Museet is a must-visit for Stockholmers and tourists alike. Walk around among the exhibitions, visit the café and take a walk around the beautiful city-centre island of Skeppsholmen while you're there. 

Sweden's museum of royal history, the Royal Armoury, is housed in beautiful cellar vaults next to the Royal Palace. Their collections include more than 30,000 artefacts, most of which have connections to Sweden's kings - from Gustav Vasa to the present day. 

The exhibitions at the Swedish History Museum cover thousands of years, and with more than ten million artefacts, the museum is one of the largest in Sweden. Explore everything from Viking treasures and relics to clothing and unique armour. In addition to the permanent exhibitions, they also hold talks, themed days and temporary exhibitions. Younger visits can take part in fun yet educational activities. 

The early 20th century sculptor Carl Eldh has created many public works that you can see all around Stockholm. You can also see many of his works in his former atelier, which has been transformed into small museum on the edge of Vasastan. The specially-designed building is a destination in itself. 

Hallwylska museum on Hamngatan is a magnificent private palace built by the von Hallwyls at the end of the 1800s. Visitors can admire the architecture and the baroness's art collections. Wander around and explore on your own, join a dramatised guided tour or listen to an audio guide.  

The Swedish Holocaust Museum aims to illuminate the Holocaust in a historical context through the testimonies of survivors with links to Sweden and their descendents. The museum's collections include everything from striped prison jackets and identity cards stamped with a “J”, to diaries and first-person accounts. Via the exhibitions we can follow people of different ages and background through the war, to their arrival in Sweden where they make a new life for themselves and become part of Swedish society. 

At the Museum of Dance on Drottninggatan you can take part in fascinating exhibitions with a connection to dance and theatre from all over the world. Admire masks, costumes and artworks from the Swedish ballet, see a choreographed dance performance or take part in an inspiring workshop. 

Stockholm's museums have something for all interests. Take a deep dive into the history of alcohol at Spritmuseum, meet a waxwork Birger Jarl at Stockholm Medieval Museum, or explore contemporary and historic photographic art at Fotografiska. We've gathered Stockholm's best museums in this guide. 

It doesn't get much more cultural than Dramatan. You can see both classic plays and contemporary theatre at this Stockholm institution, as well as dance, concerts and other performances. If you're a fan of Ingmar Bergman you shouldn't miss the Bergman festival which has been held here for several years in a row.  

Stockholm's most centrally located theatre, Stadsteatern, is right next to Sergels torg. The theatre has three stages where plays from some of Sweden's top directors, actors and scenographers are performed and the theatre promises “tears and laughter, high and low, new Swedish plays, timeless classics, musicals and guest performances”. 

If you're interested in slightly more experimental theatre that's outside the mainstream, Orionteatern is a safe bet. The theatre is housed in a former workshop in Södermalm and the focus here is on “strong experimental performing arts” in atmospheric surroundings. 

At Konserthuset in the heart of town you can hear everything from classic concerts to guest concert pianists, jazz, world music and performances for children. There's something for almost every age and taste. The iconic building is also famous for hosting the Nobel prize-giving ceremony every year. 

Fasching has its roots in jazz, but it's also a safe bet for experimental and modern acts with their roots in various different genres. Concerts are held here almost every evening and on Saturdays they switch over to Club Soul, where you've been able to dance yourself sweaty to the best soul and funk from the Sixties and Seventies for more than 25 years.  

Few places in Stockholm are as grand and elegant as The Royal Opera House. Naturally, it's the place to come to see a world-class opera or ballet performance, but also to take in the surroundings with their ornate interiors and unique atmosphere. Combine the performance with a glass of champagne for the ultimate experience. 

The story of Debaser began in 2002, in Slussen. Then the club expanded and now Debaser Strand is the only branch in the city. Music sounds out across the water, often from well- and lesser-known indie acts, and the space is often filled with nightclubbers. Right next door is the Italian restaurant Capricci, where you can start the evening with a cocktail or something to eat. 

Sweden's first concert house is called Musikaliska Kvarteret and while the idea of a musical district isn't new, Musikaliska as we know it today is relatively recent. Since 2022, Musikaliska has been run as a centre for restaurants, bars and musical stages, where everything from clubs, bar nights and brass band concerts are held. 

Is there anything that beats real, rhythmic, pulsing live music? In this guide we've gathered together Stockholm's best places to go for live performances, from swinging jazz to hiphop and punk. 

Filmhuset and Cinemateket in Gärdet show films from the whole of film history. Everything from silent movies to cult classics, previews and art films figure on the programme. If you're really interested you can also take part in talks on different film-related topics.