The Performing Arts Museum, Stockholm Travel Guide

4.4 (629)

Step behind the curtain into 400 years of Swedish theatre, dance, and music at this interactive haven in a historic bakery—where gestures become symphonies and history dances alive.

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The Performing Arts Museum

Housed in Stockholm's oldest industrial building, the Swedish Museum of Performing Arts immerses visitors in the worlds of theatre, dance, and music through interactive exhibits, a vast collection of 60,000 objects, and hands-on experiences like the 'gestrument' that turns gestures into music. Spanning over 400 years, it showcases costumes, instruments, stage designs, and more in thematic storylines rather than chronology, blending history with modern creativity across three floors.

A brief summary to The Performing Arts Museum

Sibyllegatan 2, Stockholm, 114 51, SE
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Duration: 1 to 2.5 hours
Budget
Indoor
Mobile reception: 5 out of 5

Tuesday 11 am-5 pm
Wednesday 11 am-5 pm
Thursday 11 am-5 pm
Friday 11 am-5 pm
Saturday 11 am-5 pm
Sunday 11 am-5 pm

From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring The Performing Arts Museum.

Allocate time for the gstrument—wave your arms to compose music and feel like a conductor in moments.
Explore the shoe collection for a whimsical journey through stage fashion from 18th-century actors to 1980s pop stars.
Visit mid-week to enjoy quieter interactive zones, perfect for immersive dance and music experiments.
Check the auditorium for pop-up performances blending exhibits with live artistry.

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Explore The Performing Arts Museum on the Map

A handpicked selection of must-see spots near The Performing Arts Museum, mapped for you.

Getting There

Metro

Take the red line metro to Östermalmstorg station, 8-10 minute walk along tree-lined streets; frequent services every 3-5 minutes, adult single ticket 40 SEK.
Bus

Bus 2 or 57 from city center to Kungsträdgården stop, then 5-7 minute walk; runs every 10-15 minutes, day pass 130 SEK, limited seats during rush hour.
Walking

From nearby Kungliga Dramatiska Teatern, 12-15 minute stroll on flat sidewalks through Östermalm; fully accessible, scenic passing upscale shops.
Taxi

Taxi from central Stockholm, 10-15 minutes depending on traffic; fares start at 60 SEK plus 12 SEK/km, app bookings recommended for fixed rates.

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Discover more about The Performing Arts Museum

Kronobageriet's Timeless Legacy

The Swedish Museum of Performing Arts occupies Kronobageriet, Stockholm's oldest preserved industrial building from the 17th century. Originally a royal bakery producing bread for the crown, it later served as an arsenal and a vault for brännvin, Sweden's light vodka. This sturdy structure on Sibyllegatan, carefully renovated, now hosts a modern museum over three floors, preserving its historic brick facade while embracing contemporary design.

Merger of Musical Traditions

Formed in 2010 from the union of the Music Museum, Theater Museum, and Puppet Museum, the institution evolved through closures and rebirths. Renamed in 2017 after reopening, it traces roots to 1899's Musikhistoriska museet, inspired by a grand Stockholm exhibition. Over a century, it amassed treasures through donations, becoming a national repository under Statens musikverk.

On Stage: Creativity Unveiled

The flagship exhibition 'On Stage' dives into artistic craftsmanship across dance, music, theatre, and puppetry. Eschewing timelines, it weaves thematic narratives highlighting Swedish performing arts' evolution. Visitors encounter stage designs, handwritten song sheets, premiere artifacts, and costumes evoking 400 years of performance history, from baroque spectacles to modern innovations.

Interactive Symphony of Senses

Hands-on elements define the experience: don theatre masks, compose with instrument samples, or join a virtual dance troupe via multimedia screens displaying ballet, flamenco, and hip-hop. The 'gestrument' lets body movements conjure melodies, blending gesture and sound. Nearly 6,000 instruments, emphasizing Western art and Nordic folk music, invite exploration of sonic heritage.

Hidden Gems in the Collection

Among 60,000 objects shine quirky treasures like 18th-century actor shoes alongside Herreys' golden Eurovision footwear from 1984. Puppets, marionettes, scenography models, and Ingmar Bergman's miniature stage sets reveal backstage artistry. The shoe collection alone spans centuries, illustrating fashion's role in performance evolution.

Creative Hub in Östermalm

Adjacent to the national theatre, the museum fosters ongoing creativity with workshops, a studio, auditorium, shop, and bistro Kavalleriet offering meals and summer outdoor seating. It stands as a voice for performing artists, bridging past mastery with future possibilities in Stockholm's vibrant cultural heart.