Scandinavian Culture Calendar: December 2025
By Karl Batterbee
Swedish megastar Lena Philipsson is joining Roxette’s Per Gessle on a tour of the band’s iconic collection of worldwide hits, which comes to Sweden and Norway in December. Photo: Fredrik Etoall
We’re going to assume that you already have your fill of Christmas concerts and markets scheduled in for the month of December, so here’s a deliberately un-festive round-up of cultural happenings that are taking place across the Nordics this month!
Roxette in Concert (4 – 13 December)
In 2016, Roxette performed what everyone thought would be their last series of concerts ever. Now, the duo’s frontman, songwriter and founder Per Gessle, is picking up the torch and taking the iconic catalogue of worldwide hits on the road again. Per and the Roxette band will be joined on stage by Swedish megastar Lena Philipsson who, like Roxette, rose to fame and acclaim in the ‘80s. The Roxette in Concert tour kicked off with a spectacular opening in Cape Town, South Africa in February, followed by further shows in Australia, and now across Europe. Sweden: Linköping (4 Dec), Stockholm (5 Dec) Norway: Oslo (10 Dec), Ålesund (12 Dec), Trondheim (13 Dec)
The beloved Geordie comedian Sarah Millican’s European tour comes to an end in Stockholm this month. Photo: Press image
Sarah Millican: Late Bloomer (14 December)
It’s the lovable British comedian with the instantly recognisable Geordie accent. Sarah is one the UK’s and, in recent years, the world’s most highly-regarded touring comedians. A hard-working live performer, Sarah has toured with six live shows since 2010; which, in total, have been seen by over 1.3 million people. In Late Bloomer, Sarah’s latest stand-up show, she explores how she went from being a shy schoolgirl with not many friends to a successful stand-up comedian with a buzzing social life. A surefire pick-me-up this December! Stockholm, Sweden
Mikael Törnqvist’s new exhibition offers visitors a fresh dialogue between past and present within the urban landscape. Photo: Mikael Törnqvist
Impressions From the Urban Landscape (until 14 December)
A city’s architecture creates a beautiful impression of history and elegance. This exhibition takes that idea and captures and interprets the Swedish capital’s unique blend of early modern and contemporary environments, while also drawing on impressions of steel constructions and urban settings from other parts of Europe. The works reflect fragments of the city; its structures, surfaces and atmospheres, offering visitors a fresh dialogue between past and present within the urban landscape. The artist behind the exhibition is Mikael Törnqvist. Raised in Lund and now residing in Bromma, Törnqvist primarily works with oil and watercolour, with a focus on urban environments inspired by train journeys. Stockholm, Sweden
Shakespeare’s classic comedy The Taming of the Shrew is presented in a newly written interpretation by director Farnaz Arbabi, at Dramten in Stockholm. Photo: Dramaten
The Taming of the Shrew (until 31 December)
It’s Shakespeare ‘på svenska’! A classic comedy by William Shakespeare, The Taming of the Shrew is loved by many, but has also been criticised in recent years for being misogynistic and basically unplayable in our time. Now it’s being staged as Så Tuktas En Argbigga. It’s a newly written interpretation by director Farnaz Arbabi, who most recently staged the hugely successful Cabaret on the main stage at the Royal Dramatic Theatre. In its new guise, it’s said to be an explosive, boisterous and maximalist performance that takes us to a world where the 16th century meets the present – via the ‘80s. And that certainly sounds intriguing! Stockholm, Sweden
Snow White – The Musical (until 6 January)
Dröse & Norberg’s critically acclaimed musical Snövit, which has seen over 200,000 tickets sold around the country over the years, is coming to a new home for its next run of dates. You’re invited to join a fairy tale world where everything takes place in the unique atmosphere of a real circus tent, at Gärdet in the heart of Stockholm. And as well as a new venue, the show also boasts a new leading lady: up-and-coming pop talent Kiana Blanckert is taking on the iconic role. Snövit – The Musical is a modern in- terpretation of the classic fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm; you’ll therefore witness a queen competing against her own reflection, a cowardly herald send- ing Snow White to the depths of the for- est, and a flock of small, colourful Kon- rads causing chaos. Stockholm, Sweden
Snövit – The Musical is a modern reworking of the classic fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm, starring up-and-coming pop talent Kiana Blanckert in the lead role. Photo: Victoria Zahmatkesh
Frederiksborg Museum of National History is now presenting a more dynamic and nuanced insight into recent Danish histories. Photo: Frederiksborg
New Perspectives on Danish 20th and 21st Century History (until 31 March)
Frederiksborg Museum of National History presents a newly adjusted section for art from the 20th and 21st centuries. The adjustment provides a more dynamic and nuanced insight into re- cent Danish histories. 71 works, most of which have never been exhibited before, have been retrieved from the museum’s storage. And there are six pieces that are entirely new acquisitions made in preparation for this exciting new adjustment. Another commendable focus of the change has been on increasing the representation of female artists and portraits, resulting in a rise from 14 per cent to 40 per cent. Copenhagen, Denmark
This autumn, Stockholm’s subway turned 75 years old; now, the Stockholm Transport Museum is holding a special exhibition in its honour. Photo: Spårvägsmuseet
75th anniversary of Stockholm’s subway (until 30 January)
This autumn, Stockholm’s subway turned the grand old age of 75 years old. On 1 October 1950, the first section was inaugurated, between Slussen and Hökarängen. And until the end of January, Stockholm Transport Museum (Spårvägsmuseet) is celebrating this milestone with gusto. Throughout December, a series of lectures, workshops, guided tours and much more has been planned. As well as a special exhibition where you’ll be able to peruse photography from down through the decades.
Stockholm, Sweden
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