The experience
Your visit to the Concert Hall begins here
When do I need to arrive before the concert starts, what does the arena plan look like and where should I be seated for the best sound? Prepare for your visit to Gothenburg Concert Hall here.
A warm welcome to us! Here you will find information about things that can be good to know when it’s time for your visit to Gothenburg Concert Hall, like how we handle bags. Do you want to make your visit something really special and eat in one of our restaurants before the concert? Our audience hosts are on site before, during and after the concert to help you get it right.
Frequently asked questions about the concert visit
Can I bring a bag?
It is ok to bring smaller bags with a maximum size of 21 cm x 30 cm x 10 cm (length x width x depth). The maximum size applies to all types of bags, pouches and purses.
Larger bags are not allowed and we do not offer storage of larger bags in our wardrobes or lockers. Diaper bags are excluded.
Can I leave outerwear and bags somewhere?
You can leave outerwear in our foyer, there are unmanned free cloakrooms and usually also manned cloakrooms (cost SEK 25).
We do not offer storage of larger bags (larger than 21 cm x 30 cm x 10 cm, length x width x depth) in our wardrobes or lockers, except for diaper bags.
We do not take responsibility for lost belongings.
Where should I be placed to see and hear best?
Our concert halls are acoustically designed and give you a wonderful art experience no matter where you choose to sit in the hall. The location of your seating is therefore entirely up to you. Many of our concertgoers prefer “their” specific places in the concert hall. It can be in the middle, while others like to be higher up in one of the lodges or on the balcony to be able to see the whole orchestra better. It can also depend on the repertoire performed at the concert. For example, if there is a piano soloist, some listeners prefer to have a place where they can see the soloist.
What does the arena plan look like for Stora salen and Stenhammarsalen?
The first time you enter Stora Salen, the Concert Hall’s main auditorium, will be an experience that you will never forget. It is a breathtaking sensation to look up at the walls and ceiling and take in the stylish and impressive auditorium and the warmth of its sycamore wood. Here you will find the arena plan for Stora salen (PDF) so you can see how the audience seats are positioned in the beautiful room.
When you step into the Stenhammarsalen auditorium, you immediately feel that you have entered a friendly and welcoming room with a warm and perfectly subdued atmosphere, an ideal setting for whispered conversations and an intimate meeting with the musicians and their music. Here you will find the arena plan for Stora salen (PDF) – which seat will be your favourite?
When do I need to arrive before the concert starts?
We recommend that you arrive at the Concert Hall at least 15 minutes before the concert starts. Then you will have plenty of time to hang your outerwear in the closet and find your seat. If you are going to pick up tickets from the ticket office, or are planning a visit to one of our bars, we recommend that you arrive at least 30 minutes before the concert.
Classical concerts in the Great Hall
At a concert with the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra in the Great Hall, you are welcome two hours before the start of the concert, and to visit our foyer. If you have booked a table in our restaurant, we welcome you 2.5 hours before the concert starts so that you have time to enjoy the meal in peace and quiet.
Family concert in the Great Hall
At a family concert in the Great Hall, you are welcome one hour before the concert starts.
Other concerts in the Great Hall
Opening hours vary depending on the concert start. Please contact the ticket office for more information.
Concert in Stenhammarsalen
Welcome one hour before the concert starts.
About ten minutes before the concert starts, we call for the first time. The second ringing indicates that there are about five minutes left and the third that three minutes remain. After the third ring, the doors to the salon close and the concert begins.
Is there any restaurant and bars in the concert hall?
In the Great Hall’s wardrobe hall, you will find the toilets on both sides of the large marble staircase, as well as in the Götaplats foyer. Adapted toilets for wheelchair users can be found directly to the right in the wardrobe hall and in the Götaplats foyer. In the foyer of Stenhammarsalen, you will find the toilets on both sides of the entrance to the concert hall. There is also an adapted toilet for wheelchair users.
In the toilets, there are menstrual boxes containing pads and tampons. The boxes are produced by Herbox, a company with local production in Gothenburg with a strong focus on sustainability, with a stylish design. The menstrual pads and tampons are made of 100% organic cotton, which means that they are completely free from both chemicals, perfume and bleaching agents. Being able to offer our visitors and employees access to menstrual protection is part of our equality work.
Can I eat and drink during the concert?
Neither eating nor drinking is allowed in the concert halls.
What happens if I arrive late?
When a concert starts, the doors close and those who arrive late are not let in until a suitable break in the concert occurs. In some cases, it may only be possible during a break. This is done to show consideration for our artists, musicians and our audience. Our audience hosts are on site before, during and after the concert to help you get it right. Do not hesitate to ask if you need help with anything.
Is the restaurant open in connection with my concert?
Our opening hours are adapted to the performances. Find when your particular event starts on your ticket or in our concert program.
Events in the Great Hall
The doors to the Concert Hall open 2 hours before the start of the concert. Welcome to our beautiful foyer and bars, which are always open in connection with events in the Great Hall. Do you have a reservation in the restaurant? Welcome to begin your seating 2.5 hours before the start of the concert. See your ticket or our concert program for the start time of the event.
Events in Stenhammarsalen
Events at the Stenhammarsalen, the doors to the Concert Hall open 1 hour before the start of the concert. The serving opens at the same time. See your ticket or find your event in the concert program for the event’s start time.
Do you have any questions?
The specific opening hours for what applies to your event can be found in our “Before the Visit” email, which is sent to your inbox a couple of days before your visit at the Concert Hall. You are also welcome to contact the ticket office for more information regarding our opening hours.
A warm welcome to Gothenburg’s Concert Hall!
What should I wear?
No formal attire is necessary. However, keep in mind that there are visitors who may be sensitive to strong odors. Feel free to refrain from strong perfumes and hair sprays with regard to allergy sufferers or odor hypersensitivity.
When should I applaud?
At classical concerts, many concertgoers only applaud at the end of a complete work, even though the piece has several movements. This means that there may be quiet moments when the music has stopped, but no one applauds. In the concert program on each concert page, you will find all the works that will be played during the concert and its length. Here you will also find work comments, as well as biographies of the participants. If you are unsure, you can also wait for the rest of the audience to clap before you applaud. But remember, in the end, it’s just applause and nothing to worry about.
Can I photograph and film during the concert?
It is not permitted to film or to take photos during an ongoing concert. However, you are welcome to take photos or film before the concert and during the applause.
We welcome everyone to a relaxing mobile-free zone, where the music can take its place and the outside world wait for a while. So don’t forget to turn off your cell phone or put your phone on airplane mode during the concert. Keep in mind that it is not only a call that can be disturbing to others in the audience, but also a bright screen that steals attention from the concert experience.
Which classical concert do you recommend me as a beginner?
Under the concert category “Beginners classical music” we have collected our recommendations for you who are curious about classical music. If you would rather botanize among our entire concert offer, you can easily do so in the concert program. Many make their selection based on composer, soloist, repertoire or the date and time of the performance.
Why does it ring before the concert and at the end of the intermission?
About ten minutes before the start of the concert, a bell rings in the public spaces to signal that the concert is about to start and that it is time to take a seat in the salon. The second ring tells you that there are about five minutes left and the third that three minutes remain. After the third ring, the doors to the salon close and the concert begins.
The same thing is repeated at the end of the concert’s intermission.
Do you have an age limit?
In the case of events arranged by external organizers, each organizer decides on the age limit that applies to their arrangement. You will find information about it under the information about the each concert in the concert calender.
For the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra’s own arrangements, we recommend that visitors should be over 13 years of age (except for children’s and family concerts where the content is adapted for young people). We follow Folkhälsomyndigheten’s recommendations and the Miljöförvaltningen’s guidelines, but for a child the sound volume can be perceived as loud and not all young people appreciate having to sit still and enjoy an entire concert.
But you know your company best: We of course also welcome young music lovers who are accompanied by an adult, get help with taking other visitors into account and maybe sneak out if necessary. However, each person needs their own seat and their own ticket. Babies are most welcome at our baby concerts, but out of consideration for both the really little ones and the rest of the audience, they cannot come along to other concerts – even if they are sitting on an adult’s lap.
What help can you give me who has special needs?
Gothenburg Concert Hall is a place for everyone. Here you can read more about the house’s availability. Feel free to contact us about your needs and wishes, before or in connection with your purchase, and we will do our best to help.
When you arrive to the Concert Hall, our foyer hosts are there to show everyone to the right place. Their responsibility is to provide information and service to all visitors, but also manage security in the Concert Hall. This means that they do not have the opportunity to, for example, help a person all the way from the door to their seat, book a taxi or guard personal equipment.
Do you need a attendant? Contact our ticket office to book an attendant ticket. The attendant ticket is free, provided that you are accompanied during the entire visit. For safety reasons, all guests who have not purchased wheelchair spaces must be able to get in and out of the halls themselves – on their own or with the help of an attendant.
How do you handle the Swedish security situation & bags in the concert hall?
We have ongoing, good, security routines and follow all the recommendations made by the authorities. Contact the audience hosts if you have questions or concerns during your visit in Gothenburg Concert Hall.
On the page A safe & secure visit you will find information about how we can all help each other to make your visit to Gothenburg Concert Hall as safe and secure as possible. Here you can find, for example, information about the Police’s bag ban and answers to the most common questions we get about this.
On the police’s website you will find current information about the security situation in Sweden.
Do you have more questions?
Contact the ticket office
031-726 53 00 
biljett@gso.se 
