An internationally renowned events venue, Dalhalla is one of the most impressive and beautiful outdoor arenas in Europe – located in a former limestone quarry.
CONCERTS IN A QUARRY
Every summer, a wide range of events take place at Dalhalla, an eye-catching Swedish open air concert arena that attracts and captivates more than 100,000 visitors a year.
It hosts artists from both Sweden and around the world, spanning various music genres, with the single-night attendance record of 6,156 set in 2023 by US rock band, Kiss.
This striking destination, seven kilometres (km) north of Lake Siljan and the municipality of Rättvik in Dalarna, Central Sweden, is uniquely located in the former Draggängarna limestone quarry, where mining ceased in 1990.
Dalarna was struck by a meteor that fell from space over 360 million years ago during the Late Devonian period, creating the Siljan Ring and the surrounding Siljan area.
The impact left quite a mark, with the scar still recognisable even after hundreds of millions of years of erosion and especially apparent when viewed from above.
With a diameter of more than 50km, the Siljan Ring is the largest-known impact structure in Europe and amongst the 20 biggest on Earth.
The entire bedrock of the Dalarna region was affected by the meteor, forming an intriguing composition of colourful vertical stripes representing various layers of earth and rock, amongst which limestone became easily accessible.
FROM LIMESTONE QUARRY TO ARENA
Over half a century of excavation and blasting at Draggängarna revealed what has now become the foundation for Dalhalla, an acoustically designed arena shaped in measurements that form an idealised golden ratio but in three dimensions.
This stroke of luck places the venue on par with renowned stages from ancient Greece and Italy, as Dalhalla’s dimensions provide excellent resonance and a balanced length of reverberation.
The founder of Dalhalla, Margareta Dellefors, first visited the Draggängarna limestone quarry in 1991 during the Christian holiday, Pentecost.
An ex-opera singer and radio producer, Dellefors had long been searching for a summer festival venue until Åsa Nyman, former Cultural Director of Rättvik, “discovered” the abandoned quarry.
The site was ideally situated far from any settlements, well shielded from disruptive noise, and truly an experience for the eyes and ears.
Astonished by the incredible acoustics, Dellefors immediately saw the potential to create a music arena on an international level, described as truly exceptional by artists who have performed there.
Its rugged limestone walls prevent sound from becoming too harsh or creating echoes, whilst the design of the audience sections ensures a quality sound experience from any seat, although wind and rain – common in the Swedish summer – can sometimes affect the acoustics.
To take part in Dalhalla’s rich history and geology, from the meteor impact through to today’s concert arena, visitors can embark on a guided tour.
HIGHLIGHT EVENTS
This year marks the 30th anniversary of Dalhalla’s official inauguration on 21st June 1995 in which a grand opera concert was broadcast on Swedish television, making it known throughout the country, with foreign press also covering the event.
28 concerts were held last year during the summer season, with an impressive average attendance of 3,862 visitors per event.
Highlights in 2024 included a sold-out premiere from rock legends ZZ Top to kick off the summer, a first-ever “EPA dunk” performance as Northern Swedish act Hooja took to the stage, and the return of Gene Simmons with his own band a year after the massive success of Kiss’ performance, reuniting him with many fans.
This summer, there is another extensive range of events on offer from the likes of Daniel Norgren, Avenged Sevenfold, Bryan Adams, Judas Priest, Laleh, Miriam Byrant, Sting, and many more.
Seats towards the front offer close-ups of the stage and performers, whereas further back, attendees can experience a view of the unique arena and the surrounding mountain walls.
As well as enjoying the surroundings of Dalhalla and a variety of performing artists, attendees can find fantastic food experiences that cater to everyone’s tastes at the venue, with the Dalhalla Restaurant’s carefully selected menu prepared using the best local and seasonal ingredients.
Alternatively, there is a wide selection of street food available, including pizzas, tacos, burgers, and sandwiches, as well as numerous bars serving a well-crafted selection of beers, wines, spirits, cocktails, and non-alcoholic beverages.
SUSTAINABLE VENUE
As a former limestone quarry transformed into a spectacular concert venue, Dalhalla is fundamentally a large-scale reuse project.
Today, the arena is tasked with conducting sustainability efforts that allow it to continue to develop whilst also preserving it from both a local and global perspective.
Sustainability is therefore an ongoing effort for Dalhalla, as it works to make improvements for every season.
2024, for example, marked the first year in which no food or drinks were served in single-use plastic as part of active efforts by the arena to reduce plastic usage.
Beverages available for purchase at the arena’s sales outlets also come in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles rather than glass as the material has a lower carbon footprint and is easier to handle and recycle.
Since 2022, only electric vehicles (EVs) have been used at Dalhalla to reduce emissions and contribute to a better work environment, whilst the electricity used is 100 percent green.
Such careful and conscious choices are required in order to leave as little impact on the environment and climate as possible whilst making a big impression on visitors.
