Save on your budget!
We like things for free in Gothenburg and there are some things to discover that do not cost anything but are completely FREE. Some are free after the song but some are all year round. Summer is the best time for free activities in Gothenburg, it can be anything from festivals, music, museums, Sweden's National Day, films, etc.
Here we have collected some of what we found that is FREE for you. Always check with the respective website for current information
The International Science Festival in Gothenburg is a recurring event with about 300 program points with free admission. The festival mixes science and culture in a fun way..
It will be everything from space, nature, animals, the earth's climate to selfies and zombies. The festival is spread throughout the city in places such as Bältesspännareparken, Göteborgs Konsthall, Blå Stället (Angered), Bio Roy, Sjöfartsmuseet, Stadsbiblioteket and many more.There is free admission to everything. First come, first served applies where there are limited places.
Date: several different places in Gothenburg
Vetenskapsfestivalen
Chalmerscortègen is a tradition in Gothenburg which began as early as 1910. In folklore, it is simply called Cortègen. It is a carnival train organized by students at Chalmers University of Technology every Walpurgis Night. The carnival train departs from Gibraltargatan and then through the city center along Avenyn and Vasagatan.
The students usually deal with events, news and people during the past year. There are both rebuilt trucks and disguised people and different means of transport. The train is followed by thousands of spectators along the road. So go out in the spring evening and experience the festivities in Gothenburg that have become one of Gothenburg's signs of spring.
Date: Student Carnival Train - Valborg, April 30, 2024. bild: www.cortegen.se
Chalmers Cortegen
In Göta Älv you can go with Älvtrafiken. (Älvsnabben) runs between Lilla Bommen and Klippan (by Älvsborgsbron). On this line you pay Västrafik's rate.
However, it is free to go with (Älvsnabbare) which crosses the Göta Älv between Stenpiren (Rosenlund) and Lindholmspiren. You can also bring a bicycle on board for free. The color has a green flag to symbolize that it is free to go with.
It is not a long way to go but can be a nice excursion from the center and get out a little on the river and then make a stop at Lindholmspiren. Here is also the restaurant school Ester Mosessons Gymnasium and here you can peek in for a coffee or lunch.
Trip; Rosenlund - Lindholmspiren. Picture: Vasttrafik.se.
See timetable for lines 286 and 285 at Västtrafik
With a Go City Gothenburg Pass you can discover Gothenburg at a discounted price. This Gothenburg card is filled with entrances to sights, museums and sightseeing. You pay a fixed price for the card that is valid for different numbers of days: 1, 2, 3 or 5 days. Visit as many attractions as you can of all that is included.
The running party
GöteborgsVarvet is a half marathon (21 km) that has become widely known throughout the world. The yard started already in 1980 and now runners from all over the world come to Gothenburg in May every year. Boys and girls of all ages run here. Some run to win and others just to have fun. Get ready for many fun costumes along the course. For those of us who do not run, it is just as fun to watch. For the folk festival is free for spectators. The start is at Slottsskogen and the finish is in the ancient Slotsskogsvallen. Go Go!
Date: May 18, 2024
More race to run: May 19, 2024 - Lilla Varvet (7-13 år) and May 18 - 14'9, 2024 - MiniVarvet (0-6 year).
More information about Göteborgsvarvet
Sparkling carnival
The Hammarkulle Carnival started as early as 1974 in Gothenburg. Festive and colorful clothes from different cultures pass in the train. Every year it is a well-attended tradition.
The multicultural carnival is characterized by colorful clothes and the special dances of the Latin American associations
"Flunsan" - Sweden's only folk park with free admission. During May to July, there are lots of performances in Flunsåsparken. It's everything from whisper evenings, stand-up, rock, hits, dancing, magic, talent hunting and much much more.
Artists who have performed here through the years include Lill-Babs, Siw Malmqvist, Ann-Louise Hansson, Stefan Ljungqvist, Sara Varga, Uno Svenningsson, Arvingarna, Björn Skifs, Jessica Andersson, Nanne Grönvall, Sanna Nielsen, Snowstorm, Sten & Stanley, Tommy Körberg, Hep Stars and Claes Malmberg and many many more. The premiere in June is always equally welcome every year and draws a full audience and everyone is looking forward to this year's program. If you are not in place early, a tip is to bring your own chair. Everything that belongs to a folk park
Admission is free and coffee, juice, cakes and sausages with bread are sold on site. (Picture: Park of Flunsås)
Date: start June 29, 2024
During the last Sunday in May, the entire Majorna man leaves the house and participates in the big Megaloppisen which is much appreciated. The flea market stretches from Stigbergstorget to Sandarna. Out on the streets and parks, there is a sale of everything used. You who do not live in Majorna can also sell if you want but are advised not to come by car as there are a lot of people this day. It is of course free to participate. The annual flea market has become a bit of a folk festival in Gothenburg. So come here and bargain or just soak up the atmosphere.
Date: Last Sunday in May
Mega Fleemarket in Majorna
During Sweden's National Day, you can enjoy wonderful music in the green when the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra (GSO) moves in and out of Slottsskogen for a concert. Bring your blanket and something good to eat and hopefully enjoy nice weather and beautiful music. The concert has become a tradition in Gothenburg and attracts many spectators. Please come in good time. Fri entrance
Date: June 6 (Sweden National Day)
Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra
During v 27 every summer since 1994, the summer island Marstrand and the water outside for a week of match racing competitions filled with festivities. Several of the world's best male and female sailors participate in the regatta at Marstrand. Match Cup Sweden has also had World Cup status since 2007 as one of the competitions in the World Series Racing World Series
Marstrand is located about 50 km north of Gothenburg at the height of Kungälv. You can get here by car or bus in about 45 minutes. On the island you are not allowed to drive a car so you park the car at the quay and then take the ferry over to Marstrandsön. The Match Cup festivities are free to come and view, but the ferry ticket costs money, but the return journey is free. You can bring your own picnic or buy what is offered on site. Note! You can not buy a ticket on board, buy in the kiosk or via VästTrafikAppen.
Date: The beginning of July every year. July 1 - 6, 2024
More information about Childhood Match Cup Sweden in Marstrand
Slottsskogen is Gothenburg's largest public park. It has been available to Gothenburgers since 1874. Here are large green areas, lakes, animals and a café. A large part of the park consists of natural forest with trees such as oak, beech, maple and linden. A popular area in the park is the Azalea Valley. Way out West is a festival that takes place in the park every year. You will also find the famous playground Plikta below Gothenburg's Natural History Museum
Free Entrance
More information about Slottskogen
The Botanical Garden is located opposite Slottsskogen by Änggården. There are countless flowers, shrubs, plants, trees, cafes. The park has existed since 1923. The garden is open all year round. For those of you with a dog, they are unfortunately not allowed to stay in the garden between 1 March - 30 September. Of course, they are welcome at other times of the year.
Voluntary entrance fee
More information about Botanical Garden
The park is located in the heart of Gothenburg between Drottningtorget and Bältespännareparken (Stora Teatern). Truly a breathing space that we like a lot. We usually go here after a trip to town. Here you will find the Rosary, which is filled with fragrant roses during the summer. Or how about walking around in the cheeky Palm House where there is a wonderful climate with large palm trees and other tropical plants. Café available. Free entrance to the park.
Free entrance
More information about Trädgårdsföreningen
When darkness falls and the summer evening takes over, then there will be an outdoor cinema under the open sky in Slottsskogen. In 2022, approx. 12,000 cinemagoers came to Azaleadalen and watched the film. We'll see if there will be more this year. Which film will be shown will be decided closer to the festival day.
Before the film, artist performances are offered to get you in the mood. Good food is also available for purchase from food trucks on site. The movie usually starts around 22:00. Bring something comfortable to sit on and maybe a warm sweater. It will be a wonderful event with outdoor cinema in the green. Please come in good time. Free entrance.
Site: Azaleadalen (Slottsskogen park)
Date: 2 aug 2024
Time from 6 pm. The movie starts around 10 pm
More about the outdoor cinema in Azaleadalen
The football party
Gothia Cup is a football tournament that has existed since 1975. From being a smaller tournament, it has grown to become the world's largest football event where young people from all over the world participate. The inauguration attracts such a large audience that it is held at Ullevi. During the Gothia Cup a lot happens in the city and everyone is welcome to visit the event areas including Heden and watch the matches which are free to go to!
Party in Town
The cultural party in Gothenburg is a tradition that welcomes everyone to festivities in the city and the surrounding area. There will be free concerts, dance, theater, film, market, exhibitions, performances and lots of good food. Everything at Kulturkalaset is free to take part in, except for what is sold at markets and eateries. Göteborgs Kulturkalas is one of Scandinavia's largest cultural festivals and is visited by about 1.3 million visitors. Party places include Heden, Kungstorget, Avenyn, Slottskogen, Gustav Adolfs Torg and the Port of Gothenburg, etc. On certain days, Liseberg has free admission to the Kulturkalaset.
West Pride is an art and culture festival that is held every year in June in Gothenburg. The whole festival is free for all visitors. There will be LGBTQI people and of course to all of you who want to join the party. There will be singing, dancing, parades, performances, parties and much more.
West Pride started already in 2007. At the start it was called LGBT-GBG and the initiators were Kulturhuset Blå Stället, Gothenburg City Theater, Stora Teatern, Världskulturmuseet and Röhsska Museet
Date: June 10 -16, 2024
West Pride
Gothenburg Fringe Festival is an art, dance and theater festival that takes place in most places in Gothenburg. The festival is for those who want to explore, criticize, exchange, ask, enjoy, be surprised and for those who just want to be part of an exciting atmosphere ... for everyone in other words.
Some will cost entry but much will also & aring; be free to visit.
Date: Aug 30 - Sept 8, 2024
More information about Gothenburg Fringe Festival
The culture night will this time take place in October and then you celebrate the culture in Gothenburg with the so-called. Culture night. Many of the events that take place during the evening and night are free, but some can also cost admission. The evening can include music, art, guidance, sound and light installations, theater, photography, flea market, exhibitions, film, dance and much much more. Most start in the afternoon and last until 24.00.
Date: Oct 25, 2024
More information aobut culture night in Gothenburg
The Archives Day has been going on for over 20 years every year. The National Archives was founded 401 years ago. Since 1998, Archives Day has become a tradition where the whole of Sweden opens up its interesting archives - so also in Gothenburg. It is a very interesting day with lectures, tours of archives, history and exhibitions. If you have not participated in an Archives Day, we want to strike a blow to participate once as it can be really interesting.
So take care! Always the second Sunday in Nov. Of course there is free admission.
Date: Nov 9, 2024
More information about Archive Day in Gothenburg
In the majors in Gothenburg you will find the Free Shop. It is an absolutely fantastic store where everything is free. Yes, you heard right. Their motto is: Whoever wants can take what they need and / or leave whole and useful stuff. You do not have to feel compelled to leave anything either. If you are in need of clothes for adults and children, books, toys and household utensils, feel free to look in here on a Thursday evening.
Do you want to leave stuff: The free shop is happy to accept things you want to donate. Feel free to remember that what you leave must be complete and clean.
Address: Slottskogsgatan 1, entrance around the corner into Carnegiegatan, Gothenburg
More information about Free Store
As part of the creation of the Jubilee Park in Frihamnen, a sauna was built for the public. The sauna building is clad with used sheet metal and it is anchored out in the river. The sauna can accommodate up to 30 people and can be reached via a staircase or elevator. Through a window you get a beautiful view of the harbor and towards the center. The idea is that the sauna should be for everyone. Due to moisture damage and mold in the building, the sauna will be demolished and it is planned to build a new one in the same place. It will be ready in spring 2024.
ATTENTION! The sauna is temporarily closed and will be demolished - a new sauna will be in place in spring 2024!
Date: Closed
Gothenburg has planted most orchards in several places in Gothenburg. In these places, apples, pears and plums grow. These can be picked up for free! Feel free to visit them and sit down for a while and enjoy the wonders of nature. They are located in the center, Hisingen, west of Gothenburg etc.
Date: spring-autumn to pick
More information about free to pick
Gothenburg Art Gallery is a municipal art gallery located at Götaplatsen at the top of Kungsportsavenyn by the Poseidon statue in central Gothenburg. The art gallery shows Swedish and international contemporary art and you will find the art in a building from 1923.
Free entrance
More information about Gothenburg Art Gallery
At Gothenburg's natural history museum you can see stuffed animals from all over the world and also exhibits about the history of life, life in the sea and much more. The museum is known, among other things, for its whale (a 16 meter long baby blue whale that washed ashore in Askim in southern Gothenburg 150 years ago).
Sorry not free entrance any longer. Free under 20 years.
More information about Gothenburg Natural History Museum
During Museums Day, everyone has free entry to these museums. Gothenburg City Museum, Röhsska Museum, Gothenburg Art Museum and the Maritime Museum Akvariet.
Free entrance to the Gothenburg city museums
More information about Museum Day