Here are the highlights in Stockholm during Eurovision Song Contest 2016

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

ABBA became overnight superstars by winning the Eurovision Song Contest in 1974. We will kick off the festival, May 6 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 May 6 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.

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 takes place on the big stage in the Eurovision Village, Saturday May 7 at 7:30 PM. The cavalcade 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 May 9 and 13.

Dance dance dance in Dammen between noon and 3PM. On Sunday May 9  the Balettakademien (Stockholm Ballet Academy)  will mix performances with try-outs in three genres; street dance, jazz dance and dancehall.

The Eurovision semi-finals will be the focus at Eurovision Village on May 10 and May 12. We will start off the evening 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 (May 10) and Magnus Carlsson (May 12) . The sing-a-long will be followed by a public viewing of the semi-final.

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

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

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 May 13 with artists such as Molly Lidén, Aphrodite, Magnus Carlsson, Apollo 5, Martin Stenmarck and dancers from Base 23 dance classes.

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 May 9, the six former Swedish ESC winners will be honored by Melodifestivalklubben, the Swedish chapter of the international Eurovision fan club.