Scandinavian Culture Calendar: August 2024
By Karl Batterbee
Photo: Harpa Concert Hall
Some of the cultural highlights that are happening throughout the Nordic lands during the month of August.
How To Become Icelandic in 60 minutes (until May 2025)
No trip to the Icelandic capital is complete without a visit to the iconic Harpa Concert Hall to gaze upon its structural splendour. And what better excuse to go than a hilarious stand-up comedy show that will leave you with a much better understanding of the Icelandic people you’re walking amongst on your holiday. The lighthearted play is performed totally in English, leaving no stereotype unexploited.
Reykjavík, Iceland
www.harpa.is/en/how-to-become-icelandic-in-60-minutes
Fashion by Copenhagen brand Nicklas Skovgaard, who will be showing at Copenhagen Fashion Week. Photo: Benny Gay
Copenhagen Fashion Week (5-9 August)
Danish design takes to the catwalk in August for Copenhagen Fashion Week, turning Denmark’s capital city into a veritable Mecca for its stylish citizens, visitors and fashion professionals. The event is renowned for energising the locals with plenty of one-off exhibitions, street parties, concerts and, of course, fashion shows! Are you ready for your close-up?
Copenhagen, Denmark
Way Out West. Photo: Elias Assar
Way Out West (8-10 August)
It’s become one of the Nordics’ biggest music festivals since the inaugural edition in 2007. Now, Way Out West returns to Gothenburg on 8 August. This year’s lineup features Swedish favourites such as Oskar Linnros, Icona Pop and Benjamin Ingrosso, alongside international greats like Jessie Ware, Andre 3000 and Queens of the Stone Age. The three-day event also offers up film premieres, a broad range of exceptional cuisine, and has a certification for its focus on sustainability.
Gothenburg, Sweden
Hellsinki Metal Festival . Photo: Olli Nurminen
Hellsinki Metal Festival (9-10 August)
Nope, that’s not a typo! Helsinki invites you to Hellsinki Metal Festival for its 2024 edition. Few countries (if indeed any!) mosh out to metal music quite like the Finns, and so a trip to this annual festival is bound to be a riot. Over 30 acts have already been announced across three stages at the two-day event. And as well as being able to secure a regular ticket, you can also avail of a V.I.P. ticket… Or as they refer to it, a R.I.P. ticket!
Helsinki, Finland
www.hellsinkimetalfestival.fi/en
Popsicle at Kulturfestivalen 2023. Photo: Oliver Henriquez
Kulturfestivalen (14-18 August)
Discover the pulse of Stockholm right in the heart of the city during one of the cultural highlights of the year – the Stockholm Culture Festival. Over five days, the city’s streets come alive with an explosion of culture that includes film, theatre, art, comedy, music and dance, plus much more besides. With free entry, everyone is invited. And with a lineup as diverse as what the 2024 event has to offer, no one is going to be disappointed.
Stockholm, Sweden
Through the Eyes of the Gyrfalcon (2-29 August)
This free-to-attend photo exhibition showcases the beautiful Barents region from the viewpoint of a young gyrfalcon journeying around the north in search of a home. The exhibition combines impressive photographic art and scientific information surrounding global warming and how it will impact the area. The gyrfalcon chick was born in Urho Kekkonen National Park and brings a real bird’s-eye view of how climate change will affect nature, livelihoods and local people’s lives in the north.
Helsinki, Finland
Photo: Oslo Pix Film Festival
Oslo Pix Film Festival (26 August to 1 September)
The Oslo Pix Film Festival returns for its seventh edition in August, giving fans of the flicks an opportunity to see some award-winning and groundbreaking films. Whether large Hollywood productions, experimental indies, or celebrated classics, Oslo Pix curates screenings to suit all tastes. The festival will also arrange exclusive advance screenings of upcoming theatrical releases, and attendees can peruse an exciting social arena complete with food, drinks and music.
Oslo, Norway
Through the Eyes of the Gyrfalcon. Photo: Markus Varesvuo
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Receive our monthly newsletter by email
