After nearly 20 years, it’s time for a new chapter.
Gothenburg Culture Festival is changing its name to Göteborgskalaset – a name long used and loved by locals. At the same time, the festival returns to the iconic Götaplatsen in central Gothenburg.

During a two-week period, the public was invited to submit name suggestions, and the response was overwhelming: 2,653 suggestions were received, with around 80 per cent favouring the name Göteborgskalaset. It is the same name the festival carried between 1991 and 2005 – and one that many people have continued to use over the years.

– It’s clear that Göteborgskalaset is a name that holds a special place in many people’s hearts, says Anna Mjörnvik, Project Manager for the festival. Listening to that engagement felt like the obvious thing to do.

A city festival for today – and the years to come

The festival has evolved over recent years. Today, its mission is to be Gothenburg’s great city festival – a place where people come together, share experiences and feel a sense of belonging. The name change reflects that development and helps make the festival’s purpose even clearer to its audience.

The name Göteborgskalaset comes from the Swedish word kalas, meaning a joyful celebration – a fitting description of the festival’s spirit.

– The name Göteborgskalaset really captures what the festival is all about, says Anna Mjörnvik. It’s also uniquely Gothenburg.

Major concerts return to Götaplatsen

At the same time, the festival is stepping up for 2026. One of the major highlights is that the main stage will move to the iconic Götaplatsen, at the top of Avenyn – a location many have long wished to see in the programme again. With plenty of space, it offers the perfect setting for audiences to enjoy concerts together, whether dancing along or simply soaking up the atmosphere.

The main stage at Kungstorget will remain, and as before, the programme will feature music, dance, food, activities and experiences for all ages.

And yes – there will be a few surprises too. We promise.

Thank you for the engagement

The response from the people of Gothenburg has been invaluable throughout this process. Thank you for all the suggestions, thoughts and encouragement. It means a great deal to us that so many care about the festival’s future.

When do we meet?

Göteborgskalaset takes place on 27–30 August 2026. The full programme will be released at the beginning of the summer, but planning is already well underway – and you can start looking forward to it now (we certainly are). More news to come – keep an eye on this website and our social channels.