Just a 20-minute train ride across the Øresund, Malmø is celebrating its annual summer festival, Malmøfestivalen, from this Friday.
Most of the festivities will be taking place around Malmø’s two squares: Gustav Adolf’s Torg and the aptly-named Lilla Torg (‘little Square’). You’ll find live music, fairground rides, exciting cuisine and various sporting activities.
Leave the stilettos at home and get lost in the cobblestone streets that make up Malmø’s city centre. Explore the food stalls that offer cuisine from all over the globe — keep an eye out for the moose burgers and Spanish paella. The streets leading away from the square play host to a multitude of shopping stalls at which you can find anything and everything, from festival-standard kitschy trinkets like key chains and lighters, to one-of-a kind treasures including antique jewellery, hand-painted clogs, kitchenware and hand-made soaps.
TOP PICKS:
The Hives – World-famous rock band The Hives return to their native Sweden after a string of international high-profile performances, including LA’s Coachella Music Festival and Jimmy Kimmel Live. Their latest album, Lex Hives, has received wide critical acclaim, and their 90-minute set will no doubt include previous hits such as ‘Walk Idiot Walk’ and ‘Main Offender’.
StoraScenen, Stortorget; Wed 21:30- 23:00
Rebecca & Fiona – Sweden’s coolest (and hottest) female DJ duo debuted with their album I Love You, Man in November last year, and since then the clubs and radio stations have been pumping out their sexy electro pop vibes non-stop.
StoraScenen, Stortorget; Sat 23:45-00:45
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
City Battle at Malmø Velodrome – Get patriotic as Copenhagen squares off against Sweden’s biggest cities (Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmø), with each city sending a group of handpicked cyclists to duke it out in Malmø’s indoor cycling stadium.
MalmøVelodrom, Gustav AdolfsTorg; Sat 19:00-20:00
Water Park – Lund University’s science centre is bringing its most popular children’s games and activities to the festival. Bring the kids and show them how much fun it can be to play with science: produce giant soap bubbles, make your own wind-pipe or take part in their interactive sound show.
Children’s Area, Raoul Wallenergs Park; daily 11:00-17:00
Malmø Jazz – Come and enjoy some of Sweden’s finest jazz musicians as they perform two nights in a row. Artists include Orchestra Six, Le Système, and Karin Inde. Food and drinks are also available.
Gustavscenen, Gustav AdolfsTorg, Malmø, Tue & Wed 18:00-23:00
