Summers in Scandinavia are fairly short and intense. After a long and dark winter, the cities come to life during the summer when streets, parks and cafés are packed with people making the most of the sun and the light Nordic evenings.
The arrival of fall is never popular, heralding the approaching winter, but the Scandinavian capitals offers several events that make this long stretch of darkness something to look forward to.
We’ve selected some of our favourite events in Copenhagen, Stockholm and Oslo this season that you simply must experience!
Copenhagen
Culture Night – 9 October
Visit Copenhagen and capture Culture Night. © Sattrup & Høst
In a city where shops and museums close relatively early, and where at this time of year, the inhabitants tend to stay indoors, seeking refuge from early fall storms, the annual Culture Night (Kulturnatten) stands out as something rather special.
On this one night, shops and museums are open until late, many institutions normally are closed to the public open their doors, and one-night-only performances take place all over Copenhagen. From underwater concerts or the chance to spend the night in a prison cell, the annual Culture Night shows Lady Copenhagen from her finest side – not an easy thing given the weather. Don’t forget to check out all the awesome free things this beauty of a city has to offer, too!
CPH:DOX – 5-15 November
Film chat at CPH:DOX Film Festival, Copenhagen. © Mikkel Søndergaard Deleuran
Danish poet Henrik Nordbrandt once wrote a poem called, ‘The Year Has 16 Months’, which goes like this: “The year has 16 months: December, January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, November, November, November, November.” But while November might seem endless, there is an event in Copenhagen which makes it easier to digest this dreary month, and that’s CPH:DOX, the Copenhagen International Documentary Film Festival.
With over 200 films from around the world to choose from, it’s the biggest documentary film festival in Scandinavia. Though many of the films are somber, the festival brings an undeniable light to Copenhagen in November.
Looking for more inspiration? Download momondo places, our free Copenhagen city guide for iPhone.
Stockholm
Stockholm Jazz Festival – 9-18 October
Live music at the Stockholm Jazz Festival. © Sven Tupits
Stockholm in October is brisk, and jumpers and scarves are back holding the top spot in the city’s storefront window displays. The annual Stockholm Jazz Festival, established in 1980 and claiming to be one of the oldest festivals in Sweden, is also back, and spreads itself over 10 days and 35 stages.
Over the years, jazz giants such as Stan Getz, Dizzy Gillespie and Monica Zetterlund have played at the festival, and this year sees Chick Corea and Rickie Lee Jones headlining.
Stockholm International Film Festival – 11-22 November
Moviegoers at the Stockholm Film Festival. © Emmanuel Castro Skott
Having shown some 2,000 films from all over the world since its humble beginnings in 1990, the Stockholm Film Festival is nothing if not overwhelming. But true cinephiles would have it no other way; take a deep breath and plunge right into the listings. This year’s festival spans over twelve days, with about 200 films from 60 countries being shown in Stockholm’s cinemas.
In addition to the screenings, film quizzes, parties, seminars and face-to-face talks with actors and filmmakers typically take place.
Oslo
Oslo World Music Festival – 27 October-1 November
And the crowd goes wild at Oslo World Music Festival. © Bilge Öner
Warm tunes and sensual rhythms help heat up Oslo in October during the annual World Music Festival. The festival presents music from all corners of the world especially Asia, Latin America and Africa. This year there’ll be more than 300 artists performing on 18 stages around town. The entertainment will range from flamenco, soul and fado, to electronica, hip hop and desert blues. The grooves should keep you warm!
Rakfiskfestival – 5-7 November
Tasty finger food at Oslo’s Rakfisk fish festival. © Norsk Rakfisk Festival
If Rakfish (a Norwegian fish dish, usually made with trout that’s been salted and fermented for somewhere between two months and a year, and then eaten without cooking) is your thing, or if it’s something you just have to try, then fly to Oslo in November and then feature out 3 hours north to the town of Fagernes for two days of fermented fish frenzy.
Fagernes in Eastern Norway is the birthplace of Rakfish and from 5-7 November, the town hosts a Rakfestival dedicated to this acquired delicacy. 500 tonnes of Rakfish is consumed every year in Norway, with thousands of enthusiasts heading to the festival to enjoy the salty fish and its best friends – dark beer and strong aquavit. After all, you need something to wash it down.
