events The Trästock festival – one of Sweden’s most popular music festivals. Photo: Adam Jonsson Art walks at Boviksbadet, P13, 22–23 June 12–17. Over two days, five artists and craftsmen open their studios for art walks at Boviksbadet.
Stadsfesten, D4, 26–30 June. During this week the centre of Skellefteå will be transformed into a festival area. As well as live performances by popular artists, the town is a carnival of food, music and merrygo-rounds. During Stadsfesten, a great deal happens and for both young and old. www.stadsfesten.nu. Venue: Skellefteå town centre. Bonnstan Church Festival, B4, 28–30 June. Bonnstan bursts into life and activity and old traditions are revived when the annual church festival is held at the end of June. With market stalls, children’s activities and art exhibitions, Bonnstan is one of the biggest treats of the summer. www.bonnstan.skelleftea.org. Venue: Bonnstan, Nordanå.
Sagofesten, C4, 31 May 9.30–13.00. The final of the storytelling relay; all children born in 2007 are guests of honour. The picture book Apan och jag (“Monkey and Me”) by Eva Lindström will be the main attraction. All ages are welcome to try out on the day. For more information: www.skelleftea.se/kulturpedagogisktcentrum, Nordanå Reception +46 (0) 910 73 55 10.
The Storytelling Festival, 22–28 April. This year’s edition offers the usual mix of stories read from the stage and coffee tables, seminars and lectures, the Berättarkraft contest, festival club and much more. Complete programme available at www.berattarfestivalen.se Spring expo, E2, 24–26 May. Home and leisure shows with around 200 exhibitors and 15,000 visitors. Venue: Skellefteå Kraft Arena. www.skellefteamassan.se Market in Bonnstan, C4, 18 May–7 Sept, Saturdays 10–14. Old fashioned market in Bonnstan where anyone wanting to sell home-produced products can participate. Handicrafts, fruit, jam, home-baked goods, mushrooms, honey, berries, fish, flowers, sewing, knitting, woodwork, woven goods, etc. Note! No flea market. Organiser: Skellefteå Kyrkstad Kammarägarförening Greyhound races, P13, 8 June–24 Aug. SM (Swedish championship) 20–27 July. Greyhound racing is fast and furious. Come along and enjoy the speed, excitement, action, betting and good food. A day for all the family. Venue: Fällbäcken/Boviken
Båtens dag (“Boat Day”), P13, 15/6, 11–15. Family festival on land and at sea with entertainment for all ages. Rescue demonstrations, boats and cars on show, fisherman’s knots and nets with coffee and cakes on sale. Free entry. Venue: Kåge marina. Tai chi and Qigong, C4, Summer holiday training with the Norr-Chi Association. Tai chi 17/6–19/8, Mondays 17.30 in Nordanå Park. Qigong 1–29/5, Wednesdays 6.45–7.30 in Stadsparken. No fee and everyone is welcome.
church in Ursviken and Skelleftehamn has joined as event organizer. www.joypeak.se. Venue: Pingstkyrkan, Ursviken Fallets Dag, M14, 16 June 11.30–15. In a single moment, the incredible power of the waterfall is released, allowing the thunderrous water to blast its way through the open sluice gates. This performance takes place twice. Together with musical performances, refreshments and children’s activities, the spectacular sight makes for a popular day for all the family. www.skekraft.se. Venue: Finnfors Kraftstation Midsummer in Bonnstan, B4, 21/6 Traditional Midsummer celebrations right in the cultural heart of Skellefteå. Venue: Bonnstan.
Summer theatre, C4, Three Loves, 15 June–14 July. Västerbotten Theatre offers a summer adventure on Nordanå. The play is based on Lars Molin’s hit TV programme from 1989 of the same name. Three generations. A waterfall. An electricity company. The Second World War is drawing to a close, but for the Nilsson family the struggles have just begun... www.vasterbottensteatern.se. Venue: Nordanå Joypeak, P14 Q14, 15 June. Family festival where everything, apart from food, is free. It is now 16 years since the JOYPEAK festival was born. The idea was to offer a drug-free festival for all young people leaving school at this time. The festival was launched by the Pingst parish in Ursviken but, over the years, every
Midnattstrav, D7, 22 June, 19.00. Skelleftetravet organizes classic midnight trotting races on Midsummer’s Day. A public celebration of the light midsummer night that attracts large numbers of spectators every year. Bouncy castles and pony riding for children. www.skelleftetravet.com. Venue: Skelleftetravet
Burträsksvängen, O16, Music festival 3–5 July, Folk musicians gathering 11–13 July. Burträsksvängen is one of Swedish Lapland most popular and well-attended musical events.Burträsksvängen now takes place over two weekends: music festival 3–15 July and folk musicians gathering 11–13 July. www.burtrasksvangen.nu. Venue: Burträsk Camping.
Gold town Dragrace, Swedish Championship, O10, 12–13 July, 9.00. Event that attracts a huge amount of public interest as well as an impressive line-up. The races are held over the three days and the constantly recurring question is: Who is actually the fastest over 402 metres? www.shraskelleftea.se. Venue: Skellefteå Drive Center, Fällfors
Local growers jostle with makers selling their own products. Words such as authentic and locally-produced apply to products ranging from potatoes, vegetables, home-baked bread, honey, mushrooms, fish, bacon, jam, juice, marmalade, berries, eggs and much more! www.lovanger.se Venue: Lövångers Kyrkstad.
Trästockfestivalen, C4, 18–20 July. One of Sweden’s largest free festivals, , with three music stages, a film festival, a campsite and a cultural area with dance, theatre, music and poetry. Major Swedish artists and groups interspersed with smaller local bands who may well be standing on a big stage for the first time. www.trastockfestivalen.se. Venue: Nordanå. Norrlandsveckan, O14, 20 July. There is huge interest in motorsport in Swedish Lapland, and that is something the organisers of the Rallycross circus are well aware of. Right in the middle of summer heat, the Rally cross tournament Is held at Skellefteå motor stadium. SAMEC, 22–24/8. Sweden’s largest transportation and machinery fair. A trade fair with real diesel fumes, with the chance to test drive there on the spot in the best environment. Venue: Skellefteå Drive Center. Lövånger farmers’ market, Q18, 10 Aug and 20–21 Sept The region’s farmers’ market days are well-attended occasions packed with living traditions.
Matfesten, C4, 29 Aug–1 Sept. This popular food festival offers an undemanding amble through a multiplicity of flavours and aromas. The festival offers a range of attractions and entertainment for families with children as well as those seeking something a little bit different in the way of culinary experiences. www.matfesteniskelleftea.se. Venue: Nordanå.
See www.destinationskelleftea.se/sv/event for more events. See all maps on pages 48–49. Please be aware that changes in opening hours may occur.
Norwegian National Day, D4, 5 July. This is the day our Norwegian visitors should feel even more appreciated, but, of course, our other visitors and local residents should also have fun. Many shops and shopping centres will have special offers and activities. Nordic Light Beach Soccer, P13, 5–7/7. Welcome to the Nordic Light Beach Soccer football festival at Boviken beach. 90 teams, approx. 12,000 spectators and a trillion grains of sand between your toes. Venue: Boviken.
18-20 Juli!
Villvattskampen, M16, 5–7 July. Fri, dressage, first start 9.30. Sat, hurdles, first start 12.00. Sun, precision, first start 11.00. The hurdles on Saturday are quite extraordinary, especially the spectacular bridge which is 4 metres high. All hurdles will be gathered in one arena to allow the public to see as much as possible. On Sunday the event will conclude with a game of ringränning (catching rings on a lance). www.villvattnet.se. Venue: Villvattnet. Art walk – open studios, 6–7 July 12–20. Artists and craftspeople in the region south of the river Skellefteå open their studios to the general public. All of the studios are well sign-posted and advertisements are published in the local press. Take the opportunity to see the artists at work in their studios! Venue: Various studios south of the Skellefte River.
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