Scandinavian Culture Calendar: April 2025
By Karl Batterbee
Wicked. Photo: Fredrik Arff, Scenekvelder
Whether you’re into books, films or extreme metal music, there’s a festival to suit you across the Nordics in April. You can also dip into either modern fashion or retro style, and over in Norway they’re doing stand-up comedy about their nation in English and a first-time production of a global hit musical in Norwegian!
WICKED (until 20 May)
It’s the very first Nordic production of the musical WICKED, and it’s arrived in Oslo! Starring Alexandra Rotan (of pop band KEiiNO) as Glinda and Sanne Kvitnes as Elphaba, Folketeateret promises a spectacular staging of the world-famous musical that will enchant Norwegian audiences. The show premiered in March and will run until May, with every performance being delivered in the Norwegian language. It’s arrived at the perfect time, too; a stopgap for fans of the musical in between the release of the two Hollywood film adaptations starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo.
Folketeateret, Oslo
Wicked. Photo: Fredrik Arff, Scenekvelder
DesignMarch (2-6 April)
Reykjavík is about to become even more in-fashion than ever before! DesignMarch is all set to showcase the finest creations from the Icelandic design scene, with some truly fresh, exciting, exotic and under-the-radar treasures to be unearthed. From fashion to furniture, and from architecture to food design, this festival presents the best domestic talent alongside some exciting international names. For four days, the world’s most northerly capital will be transformed into a mega venue hosting hundreds of openings, events, exhibitions and parties.
Various venues, Reykjavík
DesignMarch. Photo: Aldís Pálsdóttir
DesignMarch. Photo: Aldís Pálsdóttir
DesignMarch. Photo: Aldís Pálsdóttir
Stockholm International Film Festival Junior (7-13 April)
Stockholm International Film Festival Junior has been introducing quality films to Swedish youth for over 20 years now. The festival for children and young people aged between 6 and 19 treats audiences to exceptional films from around the world, many of which rarely reach a wider audience. By now, it’s earned its reputation as being a space that inspires future filmmakers, actors and film enthusiasts to explore and deepen their connection to the world of cinema.
The festival week takes place every spring and all screenings are completely free for children, young people, teachers and members.
Bio Skandia, Stockholm
www.stockholmfilmfestival.se/junior
Kayara: På äventyr i Inkariket. Photo: Stockholm Film Festival Jr
The Legend of Ochi. Photo: Stockholm Film Festival Jr
Norway For Beginners (9 April)
An English-language comedy show that lets the audience have a good laugh at Norway… And hopefully finds the Norwegians enjoying a little chuckle at themselves, too! Comedians Pernille Haaland and Cécile Moroni invite you to what they promise is a hilarious interactive comedy show that allows you to dive into the quirky traditions and absurdities of Norway. This ‘Norway 1.0’ crash course is made for expats, internationals and newcomers alike, to help attendees figure out the whole Lutefisk, cross-country skiing and Akevitt thing once and for all. As the Norwegians would say: “Ut på tur, aldri sur!”
Uhørt, Oslo
Norway For Beginners host Pernille Haaland. Photo: Press Image
Norway For Beginners host Cécile Moroni. Photo: Siri Øverland Eriksen
Inferno Metal Festival (17-20 April)
The Inferno Metal Festival has enticed metal fans from all over the world since 2001. The annual gathering of gothic-style music consists of about 50 concerts spread out over four days, and all are within the extreme metal genres, such as black metal, death metal, thrash metal, doom metal and more. Inferno also offers side activities for festival-goers, so attendees can look forward to film screenings, tattooing, art exhibitions, beer tastings, saunas, autograph signings and even guided walks around Oslo. That’s a lot of memories to take back with you from the Norwegian capital!
Various venues, Oslo
Jo Quail at Inferno 2024. Photo: Joakim Öberg
Mantar. Photo: Joakim Öberg
Retro & Vintage Design Expo (18-20 April)
The Merikaapelihalli of the Helsinki Cable Factory is going to be filled with the most charming vintage, the most striking retro and the absolute best Nordic design from the golden era that was the 20th century. The event has more than 100 exhibitors signed up, offering a vast selection of stylish items for lovers of fashion and design. Most traders will hail from Finland, Sweden and Estonia, and all will have a clear focus on the iconic visuals that we all know and love from the 1920s to the 1980s.
Helsinki Cable Factory, Helsinki
Retro & Vintage. Photo: Retro & Vintage Design Expo
Reykjavik Literary Festival Photo: Valgarður Gíslason
Reykjavík International Literary Festival (23-27 April)
This biannual festival has been going on since 1985 and has been hailed as one of the most important literary festivals in Europe. Anyone going along to it can expect to meet authors, attend readings and seminars, or even dance with their favourite writer at the Literary Ball! Set in cosy venues in downtown Reykjavík, the festival has thus far welcomed Nobel-prize winners, novelists, historians, political activists, philosophers, cartoonists and more to take part in lively programmes. For its 17th edition, the wallets of literature enthusiasts can once again benefit from there being no admission fee to the events. All programmes are conducted in English.
Various venues, Reykjavík
Retro & Vintage. Photo: Retro & Vintage Design Expo
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