The Nobel Prize (in Swedish it is called “Nobelpriset” ) was introduced in 1901 after Alfred Nobel’s request to establish such a prize in his will in 1895. Where is the Nobel Prize awarded?
In December, the biggest annual science event, which always takes place in Stockholm city hall (Swedish: Stockholms Stadshuset), Sweden, awards Nobel Prize winners for each category. The address of the city council is Ragnar Östbergs Plan 1, Stockholm.
Stockholm City Hall can only be visited with a guided tour, as it is an active political office building. Tours run daily in English and Swedish. You will visit the Blue Room where the Nobel Banquet is held annually on December 10, and you will also see the Golden Hall (the banquet ballroom) and the Council Chamber where Stockholm’s local parliament meets. Tickets are sold at the box office for same day tours. You cannot book tours online, but you can check the website for hours and prices.
When is the Nobel Prize awarded?
The award ceremony takes place on the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death, which is December 10. Every year on December 10, travelers and locals will discover that the city of Stockholm has Nobel Prize fever.
In the evening of that day, there is an awards ceremony and an elegant dinner banquet in the “Blue Room” of the town hall that follows.
The dinner is called Nobel Banquet (Swedish: Nobelfesten) and is an excellent restaurant for senior officials and Nobel Prize winners and their families, the Swedish royal family, Swedish government ministers, and invited guests by the Nobel Foundation. The Nobel Prize ceremony and the Nobel banquet are broadcast live on Swedish television.
Who presents the Nobel Prize?
The King of Sweden (Carl XVI Gustaf) presents the awards in Stockholm to each winner in the different categories.
What are the categories of the Nobel Prize?
There are several areas of scientific specialization in which this award is awarded. The categories for Nobel Prize winners are Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, Literature, Peace, and Economics.
The only Nobel Prize not awarded at this annual event in Stockholm is the Nobel Peace Prize, which is awarded in Oslo, Norway.
Nobel Prize Conferences
The actual Nobel Prize award ceremony is not really accessible to visitors, unfortunately, and getting tickets is almost impossible. However, there is a much easier way to be part of the Nobel Prize each year. How? You can go see the nominees! The conferences of the Nobel Prize nominees (who are officially called Laureates) take place the week before December 10 in Stockholm. You can attend most conferences; They are open to the public and admission is free. It is very difficult to attend the Nobel Prize ceremony due to the number of special guests and popular demand.
So, if you visit Stockholm in the last month or two of the year, be sure to stop by the town hall to learn more about the Nobel Prize and to be part of a historical event.
