Junibacken

Junibacken – a magical world of fairy tales and stories

Step into the world of fairy tales and experience magic. Junibacken offers theater, song, and stories for both youngsters and adults.

Junibacken is centrally located on Djurgården with beautiful views of Stockholm and Nybroviken. Junibacken opened its doors in 1996 following an initiative by Staffan Götestam (Swedish actor, director, etc.). As a kid, he thought museums were quite boring, and therefore he wanted to create something playful and interactive – a cultural house for children where the world of fairy tales comes to life through song and theater.

Today it’s a well-visited experience house for the little ones with playful exhibitions, children’s books, and theater performances. The name comes from the home of Astrid Lindgren’s children’s book character Madicken.

Children’s literature is the very heart of Junibacken. Here you’ll find Sweden’s largest children’s bookstore with a wide selection of children’s books, from Astrid Lindgren’s beloved classics to newly written favorites. Many titles are also translated into languages other than Swedish. The main goal of the cultural house is to awaken children’s desire to read by illustrating and making the stories come alive in everything from singing and theater to reading aloud and playful activities.

The most popular activity is the Story Train, where you can go on a magical journey and visit Madicken, Emil, Ronja Rövardotter, and many other fairy tale favorites. The Story Train is the last text Astrid Lindgren wrote, and during the journey, it’s her voice you hear in the speakers.

The settings are built in three dimensions, according to Marit Törnqvist’s illustrations, with the help of Sweden’s leading scenographers – a process that took more than two years to complete. With detailed and handmade dolls and landscapes, sounds, and lights, a beautiful and somewhat sad fairytale world is painted. The ride itself takes about 15 minutes, and sometimes it can be a good idea to hold an adult’s hand as the rat in Nils Karlsson Pyssling, and the dragon Katla can be a bit scary.

Other popular activities are checking out Villa Villekulla, and visiting the Storybook Square where you can meet Pettson and Findus, Karlsson on the roof, and LasseMaja. You can also play at Sweden’s largest outdoor Moomin playground, which offers play in both summer and winter. Here’s something fun to do for everyone, regardless of preferences.

You can also see Astrid Lindgren’s fairytale world played out in the theater with the performances Pippi moves in, Skinn Skerping or the baby drama Titta! Pippi!. And you mustn’t miss the fast-paced show Bokstavsbageriet where we get from A to Z or watch Jan Lööf’s classic The Tale of the Red Apple in an entertaining drama for the whole family.

If you’re hungry after all the adventures, you can get your share of meatballs and pancakes in Junibacken’s restaurant and, at the same time, enjoy Stockholm’s most beautiful view. Seasonal ingredients, vegetarian, and sustainability are the keywords – not to mention good food, of course! There’s also a master baker here who makes bread, buns, and cakes. Besides, you can rent Junibacken’s banquet hall for various events such as weddings and birthdays, company kickoffs, and family gatherings.

Astrid Lindgren is just as relevant to the children as she is to the parents. Her books have touched people all over the world, and few people are as timelessly loved as the Swedish author.

“I think she is such a popular phenomenon because she is always on the children’s side. She stands up for the little person,” says Linn.