New exiting exhibitions during spring 2026

Spring is here with sunshine It is a wonderful time to explore the island’s natural surroundings, why not take a long walk along the Djurgården Canal and then settle down at one of the many cafés to enjoy something warm to eat and drink.

In spring, many of Djurgården’s museums and attractions are also busy preparing for the opening of new and exciting exhibitions. Some opened new exhibitions as early as January and February, while others open later in the spring. Below, we have gathered information about the upcoming exhibitions. Make a note of your favourites in your calendar and get ready for a spring filled with culture and discovery.

Våren finns i vintern- Jockum Nordström at Konsthall 16 30/1

In the first exhibition of the year at Konsthall 16, Hanna Sjöstrand presents a series of conceptual paintings that explore the structure and visual language of football. The works analyse the pitch’s geometric forms — the rectangle, the triangle, and the circle, a shape that is among the oldest symbols, representing the sun, unity, and infinity, and thus carrying mythological power.

Vårsalongen 2026 at Liljevalchs 13/2

Liljevalchs Vårsalong is a cherished tradition with more than 100 years of history, presenting art from across Sweden. The exhibition features everything from painting, drawing, and sculpture to installation, video, and AI-generated art. This year, for the first time, artists from the entire Sápmi region were invited to apply, resulting in the participation of several artists from the area.The exhibition is jury-selected, all works are for sale, and prices are set by the artists themselves. From a total of 3,394 applications, 255 artists were selected.

At the Royal Djurgården Visitor Center, we are offering an early preview: as early as 13 January, visitors can experience the artwork Bengalia. The work is created by Nils Lagergren, who is also exhibiting in this year’s Vårsalong.

Enchanted Every Day Life- Elsa Beskow at Thiel Gallery 14/2

Enchanted Everyday Life is a atmospheric exhibition that invites visitors into the visual world of Elsa Beskow, where the everyday meets the magical. Through original works by the artist and children’s book author, a pictorial language emerges that has shaped generations of children and adults alike.

With works on loan from museums and private collections, the exhibition offers a rare opportunity to experience Beskow’s richly detailed and poetic illustrations up close, and to explore how her art continues to shape our ideas of childhood, nature, and imagination.

Challenging the deep- James Cameron at Vasamuseet 4/3

Challenging the Deep is a spectacular and thought-provoking exhibition about filmmaker, explorer, and technological innovator James Cameron. Through film props, large-scale projections, and unique objects, visitors are taken into the depths of the ocean and introduced to both real-life expeditions and the visions that have shaped films such as Titanic and Avatar.

The exhibition shows how Cameron’s technological breakthroughs have made some of Earth’s most inaccessible environments possible to explore, and how curiosity, science, and storytelling can be brought together. The exhibition is presented in Europe for the first time.

Det blommande- art & botany at Waldemarsudde 14/3  

With spring as a companion, the doors open to an exhibition where the role of the flower in art, design, and our cultural history comes fully into bloom. Painting, sculpture, photography, installations, and illustrated botanical works come together, spanning from the 16th century to the present day. Floral arrangements are also featured, both in the galleries and outdoors in the park.

The exhibition takes its starting point in Prince Eugen’s lifelong devotion to art and gardening. The flowering world is explored as motif, symbol, and source of inspiration. Art and nature are woven into a cohesive whole that reflects the unique spirit of the site. Det blommande is more than an exhibition—it is a living gesamtkunstwerk where nature, art, and history meet through guided tours, workshops, talks, music, food, and drink. Experience Waldemarsudde at its most vibrant and in full bloom.

Police Museum – New Exhibition Polisliv opens March 28
Polisliv portrays both dramatic and more everyday aspects of police work through a series of themed environments. The officers’ personal stories are sometimes powerful and difficult to take in, at other times uplifting, and occasionally quite humorous. Ultimately, you are given the chance to meet the person behind the uniform.

Tekniska Museet – Land of Dreams
Tekniska museet presents its largest exhibition ever: Land of Dreams. The exhibition takes visitors on a journey through 150 years of technological history, telling the story of how a small, poor country on the outskirts of Europe became one of the world’s most innovative societies. By exploring the role of technology, innovation, and dreams in Sweden’s development, visitors gain insight into how ideas and inventions not only transformed the nation but also left a lasting mark on global technological progress.

Absolut, Absolut- Museum of Swedish Drinking Culture, planned start 9/5

Discover the story of Absolut Vodka – the Swedish brand that took the world by storm. The exhibition features iconic advertisements, unique bottles, artistic collaborations, and creative environments that show how boldness and innovation turned a simple product into a global icon.

We continuously update with new information about upcoming exhibitions on Djurgården, so keep an eye on this page.

Friends of Handicraft 150 year-jubilee!

It is now 150 years since Friends of Handicraft was founded, and it must of course be celebrated throughout 2024! They have preserved and developed the art of textile craftsmanship through several generations. They have contributed works to, among others, the Cultural Center, the Lifeguard, the UN headquarters, KTH, Drottningholm Palace and the Royal Opera House, to name a few. The jubilee-year offers new exhibitions, courses, events and more.

Poto. Friends of Handicraft

In 1874, Friends of Handicraft was founded by Sophie Adlersparre and her friends, and since then has been a leader in the textile arts while fighting for women’s right to education and self-support. Since founding, they have worked with several well-known artists as well as clients. Friends of Handicraft also educate the next generation of textile workers in their school and carries on the legacy.

Poto. Friends of Handicraft

It will be celebrated well!

The Friends of Handicraft have plans for the whole year and it will be celebrated big. They are starting already with a brand new exhibition called ‘Fiber futures – Alumni – next generation textile art’ which will open on March 21, 2024. In the exhibition, the visitor can meet textile artisans and textile artists who have been trained at the Friends of Handicraft school.

The official 150-year exhibition opens in HV Gallery on October 10. A selection of textile art, sketches and samples, created by Handarbetets Vänner in collaboration with the great artists of the past and present. Mastering traditional techniques and at the same time being constantly innovative has meant that Friends of Handicraft has been at the forefront of the textile field throughout its 150-year history.

From October 2, Friends of Handicraft will have a pop-up exhibition in the middle of Sergels Torg. A student exhibition where you can see the work of the school’s students who play with the idea of what a pillow can be. The exhibition ‘Hyende, Mumrik, Puff, Pöl, Plymå’ opens in connection with Stockholm Craft Week.

Poto. Friends of Handicraft

A brand new book.

A large part of the celebration is also the new book ‘En Textil historia’, which will be published in the fall of 2024. In the book, we get to meet several of the well-known artists who in our time collaborated with Friends of Handicraft. We also get to know the skilled artisans who transform their sketches into monumental works of art, which are displayed in public settings. As well as a unique insight into the process and knowledge transfer that takes place from master to journeyman, teacher and student.

Try it yourself.

Part of their preservation of the craft is of course to pass on the knowledge. On May 15, Friends of Handicraft will visit Nordiska museet for an AW with lecture and creation. The event is also in collaboration with SKH, Stockholm Women’s History, and therefore highlight the woman who founded it, women in the industry and how women have paved the way for subsequent women.

Photo: Nordiska Museet

On September 14, Friends of Handicraft starts an anniversary course where you can participate and A course that focuses on the value, role and impact of textiles in society now and historically. The course contains both theoretical and practical elements.

Jubilee carpet

Twelve graduating students from Higher Textile Craftsmanshipat the Friends of Handicraft school have created it together by weaving each part. One of the projects to celebrate our 150 years in the service of textiles. A colorful carpet with different techniques that create a common textile artwork.

Poto. Friends of Handicraft
Poto. Friends of Handicraft

Friends of Handicraft – School

On 21 March 2024 at 14:00 – 16:00 you are welcome to the Friends of Handicraft school classroom and can meet teachers and students. Get an insight into the work and art in the courses and be inspired. Whether you yourself are keen to apply or are just curious, you are most welcome!

The school provides full-time post-secondary education and is included under the Art and Culture Education (YH education) regulation. It offers full-time textile courses that combine artistic and formal expression with advanced craft skills. The last day to apply is April 15.

Read more about Friends of Handicraft’s anniversary and activities here.

Spring Salon at Liljevalchs 2024

Liljevalchs Spring Salon is a beloved tradition with over 100 years of history, showcasing art from all over Sweden, ranging from painting, drawing, and sculpture to installations, video, and AI-generated art!

The exhibition includes a catalog featuring each exhibitor along with one of their works. Starting from the opening day, artists present their works and artistic processes on Liljevalchs’ website through their own texts.

This year, 4,974 artists applied to participate in the salon, marking a 25 percent increase compared to the previous year, indicating a positive trend in recent years.

The jury for this year included not only the art hall’s director Joanna Sandell Wright but also curators Ashik Zaman and Tawanda Appiah, as well as Olympic equestrian Peder Fredricson, who is also an accomplished artist. The Spring Salon 2024 runs from February 9 to April 21.

For more information about this year’s Spring Salon at Liljevalchs, click here.

Autumn Exhibitions 2023 at Handarbetets Vänner

Handarbetets vänner

Handarbetets Vänner, has a unique history that goes back 150 years. This is celebrated with an anniversary year that includes new exhibitions and lots of other fun!

 

Here at Royal Djurgården you will find Handarbetets Vänner (HV). The association was founded in 1874 and has since been synonymous with sustainable and high-quality Swedish textiles.

Today, there are several examples of how there is a strong identity at Handarbetets Vänner that is linked to quality and sustainability. Not least because HV is often hired for textile art with high quality requirements by government authorities. Since 1920, they have also held teaching and training through HV school. Handarbetets Vänners school offers full-time training and a wide range of short courses in textile craft.

During the autumn and winter, several wonderful exhibitions will be shown on a conveyor belt. A visit to Handarbetets Vänner Gallery is free of charge, so come by and explore the world of textiles and its talented creators. Below is the list of upcoming exhibitions:

Varje Maska en bokstav – Ann Bonander Looft September 7 – October 14

Ann Bonander Looft’s knitted garments and objects that range between craft, fashion and art and have been seen in both films and on stage. Ann Bonander Looft has worked as a costume designer and scenographer for over 30 years, mainly at Dramaten Stadsteaternhere in Stockholm. For fifteen years, Bonander Looft also has its own studio for its unique knitting. Her knitted works have been exhibited at Sven-Harry’s Art Museum in Stockholm and Blå Hallen in Höganäs, among others. The exhibition Each Maska en letter is a continuation of the exhibition “Stickerskan” which Galleri Glas showed during the spring and summer of 2023 and which is now coming to Handarbetets Vänner Gallery.

(Only in Swedish) Learn more about the exhibition here.

 

Länk-Link-Linkki II October 26 – November 18

The artist organizations Artists O and Fiber Art Sweden have organized and curated the joint traveling exhibition LÄNK – LINK – LINKKI. A total of 19 artists from Finland and Sweden participate in the exhibition. The members of both organizations work in the fields of art, craft and design – they all have a strong connection to materials, something that is defined in the works both concretely and in a conceptual approach.

Fiber Art Sweden continuously seeks out new places and contexts to take up new positions – both in the form of curated exhibitions and conversation series and workshops. LÄNK – LINK – LINKKI has been shown at Hanaholmen’s gallery in autumn 2021 and is now coming to Djurgården.

(Only in Swedish) Learn more about the exhibition here.

 

Ta plats – Kvinnorum November 23 – January 13

Two image weavers have portraits, community involvement and monumental image weaves as a common denominator. The textile artists Berit Sahlström and Astrid Bäckström are two textile artists who throughout history have taken a variety of positions in relation to the works they produced. For the exhibition, the artists have worked with new interpretations of historical works and drew attention to power structures with a certain playfulness. In several of the works, they link to artists and writers via portraits and in this way want to contribute to the discussion about the importance of textile art in the artistic scene today. The exhibition will be framed with performances, poetry and music as well as a workshop. More information on content and dates for this will follow.

(Only in Swedish) Learn more about the exhibition here.