Scandinavian Culture Calendar: July 2025
By Karl Batterbee
For the month of July, we’ve picked out some of the hottest happenings that are taking place across the Nordics; from the biggest popstar in the world right now, to some of the biggest popstars of the ‘90s and ‘00s, plus exhibitions that focus on photography and prints, as well as drag queens and Pride Parades that should add a bit of sparkle into your summer!
The Bald & The Beautiful (2-3 July)
The Bald & The Beautiful show with Trixie and Katya features two seasoned drag queens whose friendship began on the international hit TV show RuPaul’s Drag Race and who then went on to launch their YouTube channel, which now has over 600,000 subscribers. The duo have also released albums, authored a best-selling book and fronted a Netflix TV series. The New York Times has described them as models, moguls, actors and influencers, and now the pair are heading to Scandinavia – for two shows in Norway and Sweden. Expect glamour, gall and gut-punching humour!
Stockholm / Oslo
Photo: Beata Joutsen
Summer Prints (24 June – 26 July)
The Summer Prints exhibition will be coming to us until the end of July via the Association of Finnish Printmakers. Taking place in their renowned Gallery G space, the exhibition will feature works by over 110 artists, and each and every work is for sale and can be taken home once the exhibition run is over. Founded in 1931, the Association of Finnish Printmakers is a national collective whose members use graphic methods for artistic expression. The aim of the association has always been to improve the status and appreciation of artists and to increase opportunities for exhibiting works both in Finland and abroad.
Helsinki, Finland
Summer Prints will be happening at the renowned Gallery G in Helsinki. Photo: Mikko Haiko Puutarhuri
Photo: Beata Joutsen
Ricardo Santonja: Light Poems (2-21 July)
This month, Kansalaistori Square in Helsinki will be hosting something very special from further south. Spanish multidisciplinary artist and architect Ricardo Santonja’s Light Poems is an open-air photography exhibition that will take viewers on a visual journey across contemporary architecture in Spain. Showcasing images of large emblematic buildings, as well as practical architectural marvels, Light Poems features works created by camera movements, slow shutter speeds and double polarising filters. Through images taken of real spaces, Ricardo gives you an insight into how he aims to capture the essence of the architectural work by deconstructing its reality.
Helsinki, Finland
Rafael Moneo, Iesu Church, San Sebastián. Photo: Ricardo Santonja
Ricardo Santonja; A Photographic Tale. Photo: Ricardo Santonja
We Love the ‘90s & ‘00s (5-26 July)
The ultimate ‘90s & ‘00s party is heading back to Sweden’s three biggest cities, promising to be louder, wilder and more nostalgic than ever. An entire-day event with a star-studded lineup of acts, attendees are invited to dance, sing and relive the ‘90s & ‘00s thanks to so many of the iconic hits that soundtracked that era. Amongst the pop legends you can look forward to seeing perform are Melanie C of the Spice Girls, Vengaboys, Da Buzz, Peter Andre, Paul Oakenfold, Alexandra Stan and Graaf.
Stockholm / Gothenburg / Malmö
Melanie C will be performing at We Love the ‘90s & ‘00s. Photo: We Love the 90s & 00s
Laura Ikonen will be exhibited at Abstract Expressions. Photo: Veera Konsti
Abstract Expressions (25 July – 31 August)
The window exhibition Abstract Expressions is all set to showcase the works of 11 Finnish artists: Laura Itkonen, Tuisku Laakso, Kasperi Holopainen, Laura Heino-Laurila, Milla Vainio, Viivi Kangas, Aatu Koskinen, Olivia Leino, Paula Sarlin, Suvi Berg and Atte Sakari Penttinen. Taking place at the acclaimed KOOLA Art Space in the Finnish capital, the exhibition will be on display 24 hours a day and free for anyone who takes the trip to the trendy Kallio district. KOOLA is an artist-run, non-profit, multidisciplinary venue for art and culture, with a mission to promote cultural diversity and artistic expression, while making it affordable and accessible to a broader audience. Helsinki, Finland
Abstract Expressions is happening at KOOLA Art Space in Helsinki. Photo: KOOLA Art Space
Ed Sheeran (26-27 July)
Ed Sheeran’s +-=÷X tour (pronounced ‘the Mathematics Tour’) is coming to Norway! The show has been taking the world by storm since 2022, including five sold-out shows at Wembley Stadium in London. The British superstar promises to bring a production unlike anything Oslo has seen before – a 360-degree concert experience with the stage placed at midfield and the audience surrounding it from all sides. Norway’s Ullevaal Stadium won’t be Ed’s only stop in Scandinavia, however; throughout August, the celebrated artist will also be playing two dates in Sweden and four dates in Denmark. Ullevaal Stadium, Norway
Ed Sheeran is taking his world tour to Norway, Sweden and Denmark this summer. Press photo
Stockholm Pride (28 July – 3 August)
The largest Pride celebration in Northern Europe has been around since 1998 and festivities will now once again be spread across the Swedish capital at the end of the month. As well as Pride Park, which features a whole host of music talent performing for festival goers, the Pride Parade on the Saturday is the obvious highlight of the celebrations. With around 50,000 participants in attendance, it’s a joyful and colourful manifestation of love for equal human rights and a demonstration of everybody’s right to ove and be who they want to be. The parade marches through central Stockholm and everyone is welcome to come along and watch. Stockholm, Sweden
Stockholm Pride is the biggest event of its kind in Northern Europe, with around 50,000 attendees annually. Photo: Thomas Persson
A*Teens are headlining Stockholm Pride’s music lineup at Pride Park. Press photo
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