Avenyn Closed as Göteborgskalaset Expands – The City Festival Reclaims Gothenburg’s Main Boulevard

A large stage at Götaplatsen, a dance floor in Bältespännarparken, a bigger food offering than ever before and more of Gothenburg throughout the city. In addition, the upper part of Avenyn will be closed to traffic, allowing the festival to once again spill out into the streets. These are some of the highlights as Gothenburg’s own city festival returns under its revived name, Göteborgskalaset.

With increased funding, Göteborgskalaset 2026 is growing. The festival will take up more space in the city centre – from Götaplatsen and Avenyn to Bältespännarparken, Kungstorget, Grönsakstorget and Kungsparken.

In December, it was announced that the festival’s main stage would be located at Götaplatsen. It is now also confirmed that the entire upper Avenyn area will be closed to traffic during the festival days. Restaurants and bars will move out onto the street, creating a lively meeting place before and after the concerts.

– Many people remember what it was like in the 1990s when Avenyn was closed during the festival and people could sit outside, eat and drink together along the main boulevard. We want to bring back that feeling and shape it for today’s Gothenburg,” says Anna Mjörnvik, Project Manager for Göteborgskalaset.

This initiative is the result of close collaboration with restaurant owners along Avenyn and various city departments.

New for this year is also a dedicated space for dance in Bältespännarparken. Visitors will be able to try different dance styles, from bugg to Bollywood, as well as enjoy dance performances. Local vendors will also be on site offering food and drinks.

Grönsakstorget will also have a strong local focus, where visitors can discover new bands and artists – straight from garages and rehearsal spaces to the stage. This initiative is part of an effort to give more emerging acts the opportunity to be seen and heard in a larger context.

– This year, we are placing extra focus on collaborating with local partners and showcasing artists from Gothenburg, both established and emerging. Not everything is local, but much of it is. We want to reflect the very best of Gothenburg today – the atmosphere, the warmth, the vibrancy and the creativity,” says Anna Mjörnvik

As in previous years, Basargatan and Kungstorget will form a major festival area, featuring the Street Food Festival alongside stage entertainment and concerts. In Kungsparken, the Dance and Theatre Festival will take place, offering a programme for children and families with circus acts and interactive activities.

All festival areas are within walking distance in the city centre, making it easy for visitors to move between different parts of the festival and discover more along the way.

– We are very pleased to have the opportunity this year to invest even more in the city’s own festival and give all Gothenburg residents the chance to meet and experience a sense of community. We truly hope this can become a lasting tradition, allowing Göteborgskalaset to continue as a major and beloved celebration for the people of Gothenburg,” says Anna Mjörnvik.

Göteborgskalaset will take place from 27–30 August, and the full programme will be released in early summer. The festival is free and open to everyone.