Scandinavian Culture Calendar: September 2025
By Karl Batterbee
Finnish dance-music icon Darude on the steps of Helsinki Cathedral, just like in the opening shot of his Sandstorm video. Photo: Adrian Wretljung
It’s a month in which two Nordic capitals host their annual international film festivals, plus there are some top-level superstar names to celebrate from the worlds of art and music. This September in Scandinavia has plenty to satiate your cultural cravings with!
Darude: Storm 25 tour (6 September)
One of the leading names in Finnish electronic music, Darude is celebrating his 25-year career with the massive Storm 25 world tour. In September, this includes a special anniversary show at Kattilahalli in Helsinki, which he’ll be flying back from the US leg of his tour especially for (and then flying back again!). Darude’s internationally-acclaimed career began with his iconic debut single Sandstorm, which went on to become one of the most recognisable tracks in the history of dance music. Kattilahalli, Helsinki, Finland
Spain Beyond the Myths (11 September – 11 January)
The charismatic sun and surroundings of Spain have been attracting northern tourists since the 18th century. A new exhibition showcases the depictions of mythical Spain, along with paintings from the 19th and 20th centuries that project forwards into a new age. The imagery of Spanishness sprang from the interaction between travellers who fell in love with the country and the Spanish artists whose works matched their imaginings. The art of the 19th century contains motifs that accentuate Spain’s exoticism and unique characteristics. And today, tourists from all over the world are still looking for an authentic Spain rooted in these images. All that is laid out before visitors in this exhibition, running from September until January next year. Sinebrychoff Art Museum, Helsinki, Finland
www.sinebrychoffintaidemuseo.fi
A glimpse at Spain Beyond The Myths. Photo: Fundación Pedrera Martínez de la Comunidad Valenciana
An iconic image of Marilyn Monroe, from 1967. Photo: Dan Kullberg
Andy Warhol – Money on the Wall (until 14 September)
It opened at the end of last year, and now this month will be your last opportunity to see the works of this iconic artist in the Swedish capital. Spritmuseum presents the extensive exhibition Money on the Wall, curated by Blake Gopnik – author, art critic, and one of the world’s foremost Warhol experts. The exhibition focuses on one of the artist’s most recurring themes, money. Visitors have a unique opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of Warhol’s artistry and its connection to economics and society. Spiritmuseum, Stockholm, Sweden
Helsinki International Film Festival – Love & Anarchy (18 – 28 September)
Finland’s capital hosts the annual Helsinki International Film Festival – known as the Love & Anarchy festival – this September, bringing the most anticipated, award-winning, acclaimed, and talked-about film favourites to Helsinki’s most atmospheric cinemas. The programme has already been cited as one of its best yet, with a hand-picked selection of Cannes winners, some landmark works that have rewritten film history, and a new film by American indie film pioneer Kelly Reichardt. You’re bound to find plenty to suit your tastes, and quite likely to have those tastes expanded, too. Helsinki, Finland
The opening of the Andy Warhol exhibition last October. Photo: Henric Hemmerlind
Sweden’s Magnus Uggla celebrates 50 years in music with a new residency in Stockholm. Photo: Press Image
Magnus Uggla: 50 Years on the Throne (19 September – 13 December)
In 2025, the artist they call ‘King Uggla’ has been reliably delivering hits and entertainment to the Swedish people for half a century. This will be celebrated with a jubilee show featuring songs from five decades, hosted at the newly renovated Göta Lejon in Stockholm. He already completed a residency at the same venue from January to March of this year, but demand is such that he’s back for more! With 18 albums and over 50 singles to his name, fans will be left guessing as to which of their favourite classics he’ll be serenading them with that night! Stockholm, Sweden
Edvard Munch, Portrait of Andreas Studying Anatomy, 1886. Oil on unprimed cardboard. Photo: Yuri Kobayashi
Lifeblood – Edvard Munch (until 21 September)
Visitors are invited to feel the pulse of Norwegian artist Edvard Munch’s life from birth to death, through sickness and health, and in the midst of the profound changes brought about by modern medicine. The artist frequently drew inspiration from his own experiences of sickness, health and the medical environment. Munch’s art, which he called his lifeblood, offers a unique and critical perspective on modern healthcare. The exhibition juxtaposes Munch’s pieces with medical objects and images. Together, the artworks and these historical items ask provocative questions about our modern experiences of health and illness, plus birth and death. Munch Museum, Oslo, Norway
The puffin has become a symbol of Iceland’s Reykjavík International Film Festival. Photo: RIFF
Reykjavík International Film Festival (25 September – 5 October)
A vibrant 11-day festival held annually in Reykjavík, RIFF champions bold storytelling, bringing together both emerging voices and established filmmakers. Operating as an independent, non-profit cultural powerhouse, RIFF offers a curated selection of groundbreaking in ternational and Icelandic cinema across all formats; from feature-length dramas to shorts and documentaries. Beyond screenings, RIFF facilitates meaningful connections through both its Industry Days (which convene film professionals from around the world for panels, workshops, and market forums) and its Talent Lab (an annual international film workshop for young filmmakers, which runs for five days during the festival). Set against the backdrop of Reykjavík’s unique landscapes, RIFF offers not just a festival, but a full cultural immersion! Reykjavík, Iceland
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