Stockholm is getting ready for the forthcoming Eurovision Song Contest with a mega programme in store for its visitors and Eurovision fans. Ladies and gentlemen Stockholm is ready to embrace the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest!

Popular Swedish artists like Martin Stenmarck, Magnus Carlsson and Shirley Clamp; The ABBA choir, a tribute to Ted Gärdestad and a spectacular show, a tribute to the Polar Music Prize winner Max Martin, are some of the highlights in Stockholm during the nine-day Eurovision festival at the Eurovision Village in Kungsträdgården.

In addition, the program includes club nights, sing-a-long and a glittering pop night. The park will be open daily between noon and midnight and offering activities, entertainment, food and drinks. Don’t miss the City Skyliner, the 81 meter high tower in the middle of the Kungsträdgården. Here are the highlights:

Eurovision Village in Kungsträdgården is the festival area open to the general public. The area includes two stages, full of entertainment and a series of interactive activities for all ages. The big stage will mainly offer live performances and shows from popular Swedish artists and performers from the participating countries. The new stage Dammen will have DJs and club nights.

FRIDAY 6 MAY

ABBA became overnight superstars by winning the Eurovision Song Contest in 1974. Stockholm will kick off the festival on Friday 6 May  with The Choir – established by ABBA the Museum. The Choir will sing a cavalcade of ABBA classics at 7 pm. The popular swedish singer Martin Stenmarck will wrap up the festival premiere with a concert on the large stage.

The party continues on 6 May at Dammen. Soul Train is one of the most popular and longest running clubs in Stockholm. DJ Anders Müller and René Disteli Hedemyr will move the club to the pond-stage for a night and will play the best soul, funk, disco and RnB.

SATURDAY 7 MAY

Do not miss the tribute to Ted Gärdestad and his music, life and love. This year Ted would have turned 60 years old. The homage will take place on the big stage in the Eurovision Village, 0n Saturday  7 May at 7:30 pm. The line up of artists includes Janne Schaffer, Kristin Amparo and Sonja Aldén.

Saturday evening will continue with a colorful party and pop evening with the Eurovision Village’s own residence DJ Leo B at the Dammen stage. He will also play on Monday 9 and  Friday 13 May.

SUNDAY 8 MAY

Dance, dance, dance in Dammen between noon and 15:00 hrs. On Sunday 8 May  the Balettakademien (Stockholm Ballet Academy) will mix performances with try-outs in three genres; street dance, jazz dance and dancehall.

TUESDAY 10 MAY and THURSDAY 12 MAY

The Eurovision Semi-finals will be the focus at Eurovision Village on Tuesday 10 and Thursday 12 May . The evening will kick off with a Eurovision sing-a-long. One of Sweden’s most renowned choir leaders Gabriel Forss will lead the best-ever sing-a-long with music from Eurovision Song Contest and Melodifestivalen. Guest artists include Shirley Clamp (10 May) and Magnus Carlsson (12 May) . The sing-a-long will be followed by a public viewing of the semi-final.

WEDNESDAY 11 MAY

Stockholm Pride and Rille Hante will present a glittering pop evening to celebrate diversity on Wednesday 11 May on the big stage in Eurovision Village. It will for sure be an unforgettable evening, where differences will be celebrated and you will be able to dance to the best pop music. All packaged in rainbow colors. Greek-Swedish Helena Paparizou and Katrina (Katrina and the Waves) will be gracing the stage.

On Wednesday 11 May, it will be 35 years since Bob Marley passed away. Daniel Lemma & Hot This Year Band will honor the legend with a reggae concert on Dammen stage at 6.30 PM.

FRIDAY 13 MAY

Friday Night Live is the name of a spectacular stage show and tribute to this year’s Polar Prize winner Max Martin. Max Martin is the creator of 21 billboard number ones! There will be magnificent shows on the big stage on Friday 13 May with artists such as Molly Lidén, Aphrodite, Magnus Carlsson, Apollo 5, Martin Stenmarck and dancers from Base 23 dance classes.

Euro Fan Café

Don’t miss the Euro Fan Café at Skeppsbron. Meet over lunch or revel in Eurovision quizzes and enjoy meet and greets with participating Eurovision artists. On Monday 9 May, the six former Swedish ESC winners will be honored by Melodifestivalklubben, the Swedish chapter of the international Eurovision fan club.

Don’t forget to read our series of Discover Stockholm articles leading up to the forthcoming Eurovision Song Contest.

For more information on Stockholm you can visit visitstockholm.com

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