EVENTS
Kalmar hosts many attractive events, recurring every year. Below are a few tips regarding the many things planned for 2023.
.jpg)
Fantastic sand art is created at Kalmar International Sand Sculpture Festival
APRIL
APRIL–NOVEMBER: PREMIER DIVISION FOOTBALL
For most of the year, there is Swedish premier division football to watch. Kalmar has two teams in the top tier of the Swedish football league system: Kalmar FF and IFK Kalmar.
April 21st: Hammerfall
Hammerfall in concert in the Kalmarsalen Arena.
April 22nd: Backyard Ultra
This Kalmar ultra race is a lap race along a course of 6 706 metres. Neither the end time
nor the total distance is decided when the race begins.
MAY
May 12th-14th: Kalmar Waterexpo
A festival of boating and marine leisure life, held in the Kalmar Guest Harbour.
May 16th: ROYAL VISIT
During the anniversary year of 2023, the King and Queen of Sweden will visit all cities that
serve as county government seats, to celebrate the King's 50th year on the throne and
the 500th anniversary of the election of Gustav Vasa as King of Sweden.
May 18th-20th: NORDIC BARBERSHOP CHAMPIONSHIPS
Competitions will be held in the Kalmarsalen Arena, but you will be treated to fourpart acapella singing in other places around Kalmar, too.
May 18th-21st: KALMARSUND FLOORBALL CUP
International youth tournament attracting 50–100 teams of young people aged 8–15.
Played in sports halls around Kalmar and on Öland.
May 20th-21st: DOG FESTIVAL
A vast array of events for all dog lovers. The Dog Festival is held at Kalmartravet, and includes everything from competitions to activities you can try.
May 27th-28th: GARDEN DAYS
Garden days in the Krusenstierna Garden.
June
June 3rd: Free concerts
The opening of the event series Musik på Larmtorget, offering six free concerts from
June 3rd to September 9th.
June 6th: THE NATIONAL DAY OF SWEDEN
Celebration of the National Day of Sweden.
June 17th: Kalmar on Wheels
The motor festival of Kalmar, held at the Kalmartravet harness racing track. The event
offers everything from tractors and vintage cars to sports cars and motorcycles.
June 21st: Music in the Citypark
The opening of the event series Musik i Stadsparken, offering free concerts from June
21st to August 16th.
JULY
July 2nd-9th: Swedish Boule Championships
Boules players from all over the country gather in Kalmar. The championship is played on 180 courts in the heart of town.
July 14th: HÅKAN HELLSTRÖM
Håkan Hellström in concert in the Fredriksskans Arena.
July 15th: Kalmar Swimrun
A challenging swim/run race held in the middle of town. Participants enter as two-person
teams and make their way along a 21.6 km course. They alternate between swimming
and running.
July 17th-21st: KALMAR INTERNATIONAL SAND SCULPTURE FESTIVAL
The annual sand sculpture festival in Kalmar has become a popular tradition. Over the
course of a week, skilled sand sculptors create amazing works made entirely of sand.
July 21st: GYLLENE TIDER
Gyllene Tider in concert in the Fredriksskans Arena.
July 26th-29th: KALMAR OUTDOOR OPEN
Fast-paced outdoor floorball tournament held at Stortorget.
.jpg)
Kalmar hosts Sweden’s only full-distance Ironman contest.
AUGUST
August 5th: Hansa Bygg Grand Prix Kalmar
Cycling event in Kalmar.
August 10th-12th: Kalmar City Festival
For three days, there is a great party throughout Kalmar! A wealth of free concerts and activities will be hosted around town.
August 16th: Kalmar Mini Tri
The Ironman week opens with a short-distance triathlon. Participants first swim 520 metres, followed by 18 kilometres of cycling, and finally a 4.2 kilometre footrace to the finishing line.
August 18th: Ironkids
A footrace for children, held during the Ironman week.
August 19th: Ironman Kalmar Sweden
The event is Sweden’s only full-distance Ironman contest. The race always gets high
marks from participants, and on several occasions has been voted the Ironman race in the
world that most contestants would recommend to a friend.
August 26th-27th: SWEDISH BEACH TOUR
The Swedish Beach Tour is Sweden's elite beach volleyball tour. This year, the finals are held at the Långviken Arena in Kalmar.
August 27th: PAINTINGS IN THE TREES
Come and see the art displayed in the Krusenstierna garden.
.jpg)
The Swedish Beach Tour is the elite tour of Swedish beach volleyball.
September
September-April: THE SWEDISH FLOORBALL SUPER LEAGUE
The FBC Kalmarsund men's and women's teams play in the Swedish Floorball Super League. Watch their home matches at the SBB Arena.
September-April: THE SWEDISH BASKETBALL LEAGUE
The Kalmar Saints have qualified for the Swedish Basketball League. Their home games are played at the AKEA Arena.
September 8th-13th: FOUR-NATION FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT
The Swedish P17 national team plays two games at the Fredriksskans Arena, and two at Victoriavallen in Nybro.
September 23rd: KALMAR PRIDE
September welcomes the Kalmar Pride, ending with a colourful parade.
September 28th-29th: The Kalmarsund Week
A meeting space for sustainable development. Get inspired by good examples, and learn
more about the ways you and your organisation can take the next step in your sustainability efforts.
September 30th: DARIN
Darin in concert in the Hatstore Arena.
October
October 28th-November 5th: Ljus på Kultur
Culture festival in Kalmar and Öland.
.jpg)
The cultural festival Ljus på Kultur.
December
Advent Weekends: Christmas Fairs
The weekends before Christmas welcome a host of Christmas markets around Kalmar. Two of the highlights among them are the Kalmar Castle Christmas Fair, and the Kalmar Christmas Market held at Stortorget.
December 2nd: MMA-GALA
Kalmar Fight Night 2 is held at the SBB Arena, welcoming some of Sweden's best fighters
for a showdown.
December 31st: Sylvesterloppet
The last footrace of the year is held on New Year’s Eve.
December 31st: New Year´s Lights
Official New Year’s celebration at Stortorget.
Music
There are many concerts, all year round. There are also recurring live music events in
several of the Kalmar restaurants and pubs.
Shows
Kalmar has many dedicated organisers of cultural events, and thanks to them there is a wide selection of shows throughout the year. Experience anything from stand-up comedy to opera performances.
.jpg)
Kalmar Castle during Christmas time.