Malmö is counting down to Eurovision

 The host city of the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest, Malmö, is preparing for the Eurovision Song Contest.

There is a countdown screen on one of Malmö’s squares – watch below how the countdown was started.

The city is currently being decorated ahead of May, and one element are the colourful butterflies of the team art being placed on the city’s landmarks.

And just like most years, the panic with the availability of hotel rooms has been premature, and there are still hotel rooms of different categories available in Malmö.

SVT (Swedish Television) also reports tickets are available for all of the events at Malmö Arena, apart from the Grand Final on 18 May.

As every year, the host broadcaster and EBU block book hotel rooms to make sure all the delegations arriving for the contest get their rooms.

The spare capacity has now been released, which is why there are again plenty of rooms available to book.

Programme for the Eurovision weeks at a glance:

Wonk Eurovision parties at Amiralen (Folkets Park), supported by esctoday.com

11 to 18 May five parties with special guests, outdoor bar daily from the 11th.

Euro Fan Café at Moriskan (Folkets Park)

Artists, talk shows, karaoke
6 to 18 May, website

Folkets Park

Big screen transmission of the semi-finals and the Grand Final from Malmö Arena
Program hosted by Monika Hoffman
Sing-along events hosted by Jonas Hedqvist 14, 16 and 18 May
Child and family friendly events

Malmö Opera

Official opening party. A public party with the delegations arriving on the red carpet outside, with big screen transmissions.

Eurovision Village, Gustav Adolf square

Sponsor village with artist performance between 11 and 18 May
Also big screen showing of the semi-finals and the final

Palladium theatre

Several Eurovision themed events from 9 May

Lilla torg -square

Extended opening hours for bars and restaurants and events on a stage

Slagthuset

Euroclub for the accredited delegation members and press 6 to 18 May, Nightclub Euphoria

Malmö Sommarscen will also arrange several parties around Malmö during Eurovision, which will be announced later