Culture & activities

Culture off the beaten path

In Uppsala, you can find some of the country’s best museums and theaters, but culture flourishes in many corners of the city if you know where to look! Here are some cultural experiences for those who want to discover something new.

Here, you can read about art galleries and other places with a unique cultural experiences, that you might not have known existed – but also about theme nights at the more established museums and theaters.

gamla kyrkogården foto sara bruggeman

Hidden Culture at the Cemetery

The Old Cemetery in Uppsala has roots dating back to the 17th century and is a cultural-historical treasure. It is the final resting place for several individuals who have left their mark on history, such as Nobel Peace Prize laureate Dag Hammarskjöld, the author Malla Silfverstolpe, the poet Gustaf Fröding, and not least, Gösta Knutsson, the author behind the popular Peter No-tail books, set in Uppsala. During the summer, you can join guided tours, but you can also take a self-guided digital tour with your smartphone all year round.

Close to the cemetery, you’ll find both the Akademihotellet and Villa Anna, two hotels that offer convenient access to all the attractions in Uppsala’s historic district.

köttinspektionen

Unique Art Galleries and Cultural Centers

Once a meat inspection agency, now a cultural gem hosting exhibitions, performances, workshops, panel discussions, and festivals. Kulturhuset Köttinspektionen offers an exciting program featuring both local and international artists, where the unconventional is given a space to thrive. English speakers vill find both exhibitions and non-spoken performances to enjoy.

Don’t miss the opportunity to discover local Uppland artists when you’re in Uppsala! Konstnärernas Hus (The Artists’ House) is run by the nonprofit association Uppsala Konstnärsklubb (Uppsala Artists’ Club). The gallery is just a stone’s throw from the Cathedral, next to the many cozy cafes and shops on Sysslomansgatan.

Disk med flaskor och glas

Public Art and Wine Culture in the Hip Rosendal Neighborhood

Rosendal is an exciting new district in southern Uppsala, with intriguing architecture and public art to discover. Stroll around and admire the bold design choices of the houses and their accompanying artworks – a giant beetle, a seashell with the sound of the sea, wooden sculptures, and much more. Download the “Uppsala konst och kulturarv” app for your guided tour, available in both Swedish and English.

When your feet get tired, there’s also food and beverage culture to explore here. The local gem Kvarteret is a combined interior design shop, café, and wine bar that also hosts various tastings.

Uppsala Stadsteater

Go Behind the Scenes at the City Theater

“Uppsala Stadsteater”, Uppsala City Theater, is one of the country’s most prestigious and well-visited stages – but did you know that you can take a peek behind the scenes here? The theater’s guided tours will lead you to places that are otherwise off-limits to visitors, from rehearsal rooms to the actors’ dressing rooms.  Witness how the theater’s makeup artists work their magic to create incredible makeup and wigs, explore the fantastic costume department’s storage, and see what it’s like behind the curtains.

The guided tours are conducted in Swedish, but you can request to book a private guided tour for a group and inquire about the possibility of having an English-speaking guide.

Take The Stage

Create the Culture Yourself

If you wish to do more than observe, and take part in shaping Uppsala’s cultural scene, there are several opportunities for you.

If it’s arts and crafts that make your heart beat, Uppsala has a lot to offer. At Uppsala Art Museum, you can not only admire high-quality art but also get involved in creating your own. During the museum’s Art Nights (every Thursday in season), easels are set up in the entrance, and you are invited to create and, of course, take your artwork home with you. You can also do this at the Bror Hjort Museum, which organizes family tours where the whole family can try out an artistic technique. The events are in Swedish, but you know – art is universal.

If you want to take the stage, head to Reginateatern. They frequently organize Poetry Slam, a competition in spoken word poetry where anyone can participate. The audience is actively involved by forming jury groups. When the stand-up comedy club Fyris Comedy hosts Open Mic nights, you can unleash your inner comedian – both complete beginners and more experienced comedians can perform stand-up in front of an audience. The shows are in Swedish, but performers in English are more than welcome and and often well-received by the audience.