The following is a list of notable events and releases that happened in Scandinavian music in 2016. (Go to last year in Scandinavian music or next year in Scandinavian music.)
Events
January
8 – The first recording is released of Danish composer Hans Abrahamsen's Grawemeyer award-winning work, let me tell you. 15 – Icelandic broadcaster RÚV reveals the songs competing to be Iceland's entry in the Eurovision Song Contest 2016 during the Rás 2 radio programmes Virkir morgnar and Poppland. Five of the competitors enter English versions of their songs. 21 – The 2016 Ice Music Festival opens in Geilo, Norway (January 21–24). 25 – The draw to determine which country will participate in which semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2016 takes place in Stockholm City Hall. Sweden is pre-allocated to vote and perform in the first semi-final for scheduling reasons. 27 The Léonie Sonning Music Foundation announces Leonidas Kavakos as the recipient of the Léonie Sonning Music Prize 2017. The 2016 Bodø Jazz Open opens in Bodø, Norway (January 27–30). 29 The Ernst von Siemens Music Foundation announces Per Nørgård as the recipient of the 2016 Ernst von Siemens Music Prize. The 2016 Nordlysfestivalen opens in Tromsø, Norway (January 29 – February 7).
February
6
Opening of the 56th Melodifestivalen in Sweden. The first of the Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu 2016 Semi-finals takes place in Finland. 7 The annual Oslo Operaball takes place in Oslo, Norway. Knut Kristiansen and Bergen Big Band hold a release concert for the album Kuria Suite at Verftet in Bergen, Norway. 10 – The Ojai Music Festival announces the appointment of Esa-Pekka Salonen as its music director for the 2018 season. 13 – The Dansk Melodi Grand Prix Final takes place at the Forum Horsens in Horsens, Denmark. Lighthouse X are selected to represent Denmark at the Eurovision Song Contest 2016. 15 – It is announced that Swedish jazz saxophonist and composer Jonas Kullhammar is the recipient of the 2016 Gullinpriset (awarded in memory of the saxophonist Lars Gullin (1928–1976)). 16 – Andreas Loven holds a release concert for the album District Six (Losen Records) at Victoria – National Jazz Scene in Oslo. 20 – At Söngvakeppnin 2016 in Reykjavík's Laugardalshöll, Greta Salóme is selected to represent Iceland at the Eurovision Song Contest, with the song "Hear Them Calling". 26 – A remix of Zara Larsson's hit single "Lush Life", featuring Tinie Tempah, is released, and soon becomes a top 10 hit internationally. 27 – The Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu 2016 Final takes place in Finland.
March
2 – By:Larm 2016 starts in Oslo (March 2–5). 3 Frode Alnæs holds a release concert for the album Kanestrøm (Øra Fonogram) at Victoria – National Jazz Scene in Oslo. The Oslo International Church Music Festival 2016 starts in Oslo (March 3–13). 12 – The final of Sweden's Melodifestivalen takes place. 17 – Norwegian musician John Martin is convicted of the murder of his wife Natalia Strelchenko, a Russian-born concert pianist, and is sentenced to life in prison. 18 – The Vossajazz event opens in Voss, Norway (March 18–20). 23 – Inferno Metal Festival 2016 starts in Oslo (March 23–26).
April
1 – In the final of season 9 of Denmark's X Factor, the sister duo Embrace emerge winners, obtaining 60% of the public vote. 22 – The final of season 5 of The Voice of Finland is won by Suvi Åkerman, mentored by Tarja Turunen. 23 – The Gamlestaden Jazzfestival opens in Göteborg, Sweden (April 23 – April 30).
May
14 – The final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2016 takes place at the Ericsson Globe in Stockholm. Sweden, the only Scandinavian country to reach the final, finishes in 9th place. Finland, Iceland, Denmark and Norway are all eliminated in the semi-finals. 25 – Festspillene i Bergen 2015 starts (May 25 – June 8). 26 – Nattjazz starts in Bergen (May 26 – June 4).
June
15 – Bergenfest 2016 with headliner Sigur Rós (June 15 – 18). 25 – The 2016 Roskilde Festival opens with a performance by the Syrian National Orchestra for Arabic Music and Damon Albarn (June 25 – July 2). 30 – Bråvalla Festival opens near Norrköping, Sweden.
July
3 – The Copenhagen Jazz Festival 2016 opens (July 3–12). 6 – The 17th Folk music festival of Siglufjordur opens in Siglufjordur, Iceland (July 6 – 10). 14 – G! Festival opens in Göta, with a line-up including Songhoy Blues, Lucy Rose, Federspiel and the Hot 8 Brass Band. 18 – Moldejazz 2016 starts with Ola Kvernberg as artist in residence (August 18 – 23). date unknown – Magnus Söderman (guitars) and Lawrence Dinamarca (drums) join Nightrage.