Short answer
The autumn school break (höstlov) in Gothenburg's municipal schools in 2026 is week 44, Monday 26 to Friday 30 October. Good ideas with kids are Universeum at Korsvägen, the Gothenburg Museum of Natural History with its mounted blue whale, the seals and penguins at Slottsskogen zoo (free), Halloween at Liseberg (2 October–1 November 2026), the Museum of World Culture, the Maritime Museum and Aquarium and the Gothenburg City Museum. Several museums are free for children and teens, but many close on Mondays.
When is the autumn break in Gothenburg in 2026?
The autumn break in Gothenburg's municipal schools is week 44, Monday 26 to Friday 30 October 2026, according to the City of Gothenburg's school calendar for 2026/2027. Independent schools and schools in neighbouring municipalities may have their own dates.
The day before the break, Friday 23 October 2026, is Kulturnatta, an evening of culture all over the city. According to the organisers, most events are free.
10 ideas for the autumn break with kids
| Idea | What | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Universeum | Science centre with aquarium and rainforest | At Korsvägen, open every day |
| Museum of Natural History | Animals, birds and the Malm whale | Free under 20, autumn break programme |
| Slottsskogen zoo | Seals, penguins and more | Free and open all year |
| Halloween at Liseberg | Amusement park in autumn dress | 2 October–1 November 2026 |
| Museum of World Culture | Exhibitions about the world and its people | Free under 19 |
| Maritime Museum and Aquarium | Seafaring and an aquarium | Free under 20, closed Mondays |
| Gothenburg City Museum | City history and a children's museum | Free under 20, closed Mondays |
| City Library | Library with its own children's section | At Götaplatsen |
| Kulturnatta | Culture across the city for one evening | Friday 23 October 2026 |
| A candy stop in town | Pick-and-mix and soft toys | Kungsgatan, see below |
Museums for a rainy day
Universeum at Korsvägen describes itself as a place where you can travel around the world and out into space on the same day. Inside you'll find an aquarium, a rainforest and the Wisdome dome, among other things. Universeum is open every day and recommends buying tickets in advance.
The Gothenburg Museum of Natural History (Göteborgs naturhistoriska museum) sits at the edge of Slottsskogen park, near the Linnéplatsen stop. Its star is the Malm whale, which the museum says is the world's only mounted blue whale. It stranded in Askimsviken south of Gothenburg in 1865 and has been on display at the museum since 1918. During the 2026 autumn break the museum runs its own programme, including wild animal facts. Everyone under 20 gets in free. The museum is normally closed on Mondays, but the autumn break programme starts on Monday 26 October.
The Museum of World Culture (Världskulturmuseet) is also at Korsvägen, between Liseberg and Universeum. Everyone under 19 gets in free.
The Maritime Museum and Aquarium (Sjöfartsmuseet Akvariet) on Karl Johansgatan combines maritime history with an aquarium. The Gothenburg City Museum (Göteborgs stadsmuseum) on Norra Hamngatan has a children's museum with workshops, performances and holiday activities. Both are free for everyone under 20 and closed on Mondays.
The City Library (Stadsbiblioteket) at Götaplatsen has its own children's section. A good place to rest for a while when little legs get tired.
Outdoors: Slottsskogen and its zoo
Slottsskogen is Gothenburg's big city park and home to Slottsskogen zoo (Slottsskogens djurpark). It is free and open all year. Seals and penguins live here, and the keepers give animal talks listed in the park's calendar. The children's zoo with Swedish farm animals is only open April to September, so it is closed during the autumn break.
Combine it with the Museum of Natural History in the same park. Dress for the weather: late October can be both windy and wet.
Halloween at Liseberg
Liseberg is open for Halloween from 2 October to 1 November 2026, so the season covers the whole autumn break. According to Liseberg's calendar the park is open every day during the break week, but hours can change, so check the calendar before you go.
For the youngest there is Kaninlandet (Rabbit Land) and Sagoskogen, with pumpkins and friendly creatures. The haunted houses are for older kids: several have an age limit of 11, and one of 15. Check the limits on Liseberg's website so nobody is disappointed at the door.
A stop on Kungsgatan
Between two museums, take a break on the pedestrian street. At Kungs Gotter, Kungsgatan 26, there is a wall of pick-and-mix where kids choose their own candy and you pay by weight. Among our souvenirs you'll also find soft toys, such as moose, bears and Pippi Longstocking. The shop is open every day, between the cathedral and Kungsportsplatsen, close to the Domkyrkan and Grönsakstorget stops. Curious about what makes candy Swedish? Read our guide to Swedish candy.
Sources
- City of Gothenburg: School calendar 2026/2027
- Liseberg: Halloween at Liseberg
- Gothenburg Museum of Natural History: Plan your visit
- Gothenburg Museum of Natural History: The Malm whale
- City of Gothenburg: Slottsskogen zoo
- Museum of World Culture: Visit
- City of Gothenburg: Maritime Museum and Aquarium
- Gothenburg City Museum: Visit us