If you thought there wasn’t anything cool to do in hot(tish) July, think again. International comedy nights, free art tours in English and festivals fill the month, culminating in the party of the year: Stockholm Pride. Check out the YLC guide to what’s on over the summer!

Stockholm Pride 2013

Stockholm Pride is Scandinavia’s largest Pride Festival and works to highlight LGBT issues and create a sanctuary for gay, bisexual, transgender and other gender expressions that exist within the LGBT movement. The tagline and theme of the festival is ‘We are family!’ and highlights the different ways that a family can work.

The celebrations start with lectures and exhibitions on Tuesday 30th July at Pride House, the festival’s cultural centre. The centre will be packed with seminars, debates, workshops, exhibitions, film, theatre and other performances.

Pride Park, the festival arena at Östermalms IP, will be opens every afternoon and evening from Wednesday 31st July until Sunday 4th August. A wide variety of famous artists and shows will appear on the main stage, including Lys Assia & Emmelie the Forest, Sean Banan, Margaret Berger and Anton Ewald. Check out all the artists here. Pride Park will also be the venue for LGBT marriages on the hour from 07:00 to 23:00 on 1st-2nd August. Click here to book!

The Pride Parade will run from Medborgarplatsen to Östermalms IP on the 3rd August Saturday 3 August at 13.00.

When: Tuesday 30th July to Sunday 4th August

Where: Stockholms Stadsteater, Kulturhuset and at Östermalms IP. Parade starts at Medborgarplatsen.

Cost: Various options available – click here for details.

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International Comedy Nights in July

Every Saturday in July, Stockholm Comedy Club presents stand-up comedy on the fabulous boat M/S Prinsessan Estelle, just by the royal castle. Join us for an evening with stars of Swedish Stand Up Comedy and International Guests. The party starts at 6 PM with drinks and grill on the sun deck… and a great view of Stockholm. The show starts at 20:00 and is in English.

When: Saturdays throughout July

Where: M/S Prinsessan Estelle, Skeppsbron 1, 111 30 Stockholm (T-ban: Gamla Stan)

Cost: 140 SEK (including 20 SEK avgift). Book here.

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Czech culture and beer festival

Beer to the Czech Republic is what wine is to France, pasta is to Italy and chocolate is to Switzerland. Familiarise yourself with some of their beers, traditional Czech cuisine and listen to musical entertainment every day.

When: Thursday 11th to Sunday 21st July

Where: Kungsträdgården (T-bana: Kungsträdgården)

Cost: Free entry

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WWDIS Summer Fest 2013

Club Promoter WWDIS (What We Do Is Secret) and Luger have arranged a brand new festival in Stockholm’s Färgfabriken. Among those booked to date are: Death from above 1979, King Khan & The Shrines, Moon Duo, I Break Horses, Two Gallants and White Fence. This summer’s best party.

When: Tuesday 9th to Wednesday 10th July

Where: Färgfabriken, Lövholmsbrinken 1, 11743 Stockholm (T-bana Liljeholmen)

Cost: 480 SEK for one day; 720 SEK for both (including avgift). Book tickets here.

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Guided tours of the woodland cemetary

Known for its modern architecture, which blends into the surrounding natural space, this beautiful place is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The Woodland Cemetery evokes the Nordic philosophy on nature, life and death and is still in use. Enjoy an inspirational walk and get access to some of the world famous chapel interiors through a guided tour.

When: Sundays from July to September: Guided tour in English at 10:30am

Where: Skogskyrkogården, (T-bana: Skogskyrkogården)

Cost: 120 SEK (including 20 SEK avgift). Book here.

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‘Art on the Metro’ – guided tours in English

There is a long tradition of public art in Sweden; SL focussed early on art in the subway, which they claim makes the stations beautiful, safer and helps reduce vandalism: it certainly helps to make the trip into something more than just travel between two places. Each station has its own identity and thus make it easier to navigate in traffic.

When: Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 13.30 in Swedish and at 15:00 in English (takes approximately 1 hour)

Where: SL Centre on Sergels torg, in the ticket hall by T-Centralen station.

Cost: a valid metro ticket!

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Opening summer concert at Hallwylska museet

For over three decades, Hallwylska Museum has hosted summer concerts in the courtyard and on its 75th anniversary, the opening concert will be exceptional. It starts with the traditional Karlbergs Musikkår as well as renowned vocal soloists Eva Magnusson, soprano and Erik Ström, baritone.

When: Wednesday 7th July at 19:00

Where: Hallwylska museet, Hamngatan 4 ,111 47 Stockholm

Cost: 120 SEK for children, 275 SEK for students, pensioners or groups of over 10, 340 SEK for adults

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Lilith Eve at Kungsträdgården

Lilith Eve is an organization for female artists and songwriters, founded in 2000. Lilith Eve members work to strengthen their professional identity as artists, musicians and songwriters with more opportunities to express their music and to increase the representation of women in the music industry.

On Saturday, July 13 there will be a great musical celebration, when no fewer than nine women perform their own music on the main stage at Kungsträdgården. Newly composed pop, blues, show, rock and jazz performances from artists such as Isabella Sedin, Rebekah Karlsdotter, Elenora Butterflies, Hilma, TEAH, Malin Wester, Filippa Engellau, Kitte Power and Anette Tarstad.

A total of 12 female songwriters will be heard in all, as the festival day is supported by lunchtime concerts (12:15 to 13:15):-

July 4: Filippa Engellau and Malin Wester

July 11: Anette Tarstad and Kitte Power

July 18: Hanna Hanski , Anna lumens and Ulrika Ölund

When: Saturday 13th July from 14:00 to 17:00

Where: Kungsträdgården (T-bana: Kungsträdgården)

Cost: Free entry

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UEFA Women’s football – EURO 2013

The ever-growing popularity of women’s football ensures a spectacular turn-out for the European championship final, held at Friends Arena in Solna. Cheer on your country and the host nation, Sweden!

When: Wednesday 10th  to Sunday 28th July (final: 28th July)

Where: 7 cities around Sweden (final: Friends Arena, Solna)

Cost: Various packages: book here.

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The Backstage Tour

A visit to Drottningholms Slottsteater will convey impressions of theatre life in the 18th century and gives a better understanding of our living cultural heritage. Join us for a new exclusive tour behind the scenes! In English.

When: Monday 24th June to Sunday 21st July at 13:30

Where: Drottningholms Slottsteater, Drottningens paviljong, 178 93 Drottningholm

Cost: 195 SEK (including 20 SEK avgift). Book here.

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