Gothenburg Fringe 2026 begins with an open invitation to join us at Stora Tullhuset for the opening evening of our festival.

A building steeped in stories of departure, hope and change, it was through these halls that many of those leaving Sweden during the great wave of emigration to America between 1821 and 1930 passed on their journey into the unknown.

Connected to that, this year's opening is built around the theme Embrace the Unknown. Audiences are invited to move through the building as you please, choosing your own Fringe adventure by selecting different paths, each containing different ‘living stations’ that transform the site into an immersive landscape of curiosity, surprise, and reflection for artists and audiences alike.

There is no traditional beginning or end for this event, instead the audience moves freely through the space, making the experience highly personal and dependent on what you'd like to experience. Enjoy pop-up performances and stamp your Fringe passport as you wander through the building.

And this year's first preview night will also take place at the venue, meaning you can enjoy a full evening of Fringe delights and get a taste of what's to come as we kick-off the 10-day festival.