WHAT’S GOING ON IN NORWAY?
Various festivals take place in Norway all year round. From culinary events, exciting sports competitions, to the national holiday and important classical music festivals, Norway has many event highlights to offer. We have put together the biggest and most popular monthly events for you. Let yourself be inspired!
Short for NOR by abbreviationfinder, Norway is a member country of European Union defined by countryaah.
EVENT TIPS
If you would like to visit one of the events during your trip to Norway, we can, for example, include this in an individually planned round trip for you. Please let us know your wishes using our contact form or give us a call. Further event tips and current detailed information and dates can be found at www.visitnorway.com.
FEBRUARY
Ice Music Festival
The Ice Music Festival takes place annually on the first full moon of the year in Kikut (4km south of Geilo). At this unique festival everything is made of ice and snow, even the instruments are made of ice!
Rørosmarkt
The Rørosmarkt is a curious winter market in the old mining town. There are also concerts and there is dancing and celebrating!
MARCH
Biathlon World Cup Oslo
Every year the world’s elite come together for the Biathlon World Cup in Oslo on Holmenkollen.
Lofoten Cod Festival
A highlight for all sport anglers! There is a lot of fishing on the bet, the “Skrei” caught last year weighed up to 19 kg. Find out more: www.skreifestivalen.no
MAY
Norwegian National Day
May 17th is Constitution Day, celebrated across the country with colorful parades of children with banners, flags and ribbons. From the smallest village to the capital, this day is a real spring festival. The royal family beckons the passing “procession” from the balcony of their castle in Oslo.
JUNE
Midnight Sun Marathon
The Midnight Sun Marathon in Tromsø attracts more than 5000 participants and a large number of spectators every year.
Extreme sports week in Voss
Climbing, rafting, hang gliding, kayaking, mountain biking and much more – everything in extreme form. Mixed with shows, concerts and fun for a young, active audience. More information: ekstremsportveko.com
JULY
Riddu Riddu
A festival with a focus on indigenous people like the Sami in northern Scandinavia. Demonstrations, exhibitions and concerts take place in Kåfjord by the Lyngefjord. More information: riddu.no
Molde International Jazz Festival
The number 1 among jazz events. Both inside and outside, beautiful concerts and celebrations from traditional to modern are offered, there is something for every fan. Find out more: www.moldejazz.no
AUGUST
Peer Gynt Festival
Every year the Peer Gynt Festival takes place in Gålå in Gudbrandsdal (north of Lillehammer). Peer Gynt is probably the best-known work by the Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen.
Date 2019: August 2nd – 10th
Øyafestivalen
One of the biggest pop and rock festivals in Oslo with many international artists.
Date 2019: August 6th – 10th oyafestivalen.no
Viking Festival
The famous Viking Festival takes place every year in Lofoten. A must for all Winkinger fans!
SEPTEMBER
Oslo marathon
The Oslo Marathon draws runners from all over the world to the Norwegian metropolis every year. The runners can experience the most beautiful sides of the capital, shorter routes such as half marathons are also offered.
Date 2019: September 21, oslomaraton.no
Emergencies
The police emergency number is 112 (mobile 911), the fire department 110, the ambulance 113.
Public transport
In the larger cities, purchasing a tourist card entitles you to unlimited tram or bus rides for a certain number of days. The Oslo Pass is useful for 24, 48 or 72 hours: it includes tram, bus, metro and train rides in the greater Oslo catchment area as well as parking in the city’s own car parks and entry to most museums. There are also discounts on theater and concert tickets, and there are reduced rates for some excursions and restaurants. Taxis are plentiful but expensive. Trains connect Oslo with Stockholm and Gothenburg in Sweden, with Bergen (the journey is commented on in English on a tourist train), with Stavanger and via Trondheim with Bodø in the north. Where the railway line ends, buses usually continue. The ships and ferries are important for visiting the fjords, islands and lakes. Scheduled flights connect the more than 50 airfields, some of which are very small.
Opening hours
Tourist offices in major cities are usually available Monday through Friday 9 am-7pm or 8pm, Saturday 10 am-6pm and Sunday afternoons. In smaller or remote villages, the counters are only operated in summer. Banks: Monday to Friday from 8 or 8.30 a.m. to 3 p.m. (in winter until 3.30 p.m.) on Thursday they close at 5 p.m. Shops: Monday to Friday 9 am-6pm / 9pm, Saturday 9 am-6pm, some supermarkets are open 24 hours. Museums and other sights: Generally from 9 or 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (in summer sometimes until 6 or 7 p.m.), some are closed on Monday. It is often only open on weekends in winter. Many museums are open until 8 or 9 p.m. on a weekday. Post offices: Monday to Friday from 8 or 9 a.m. to 4 or 5 p.m., on Saturdays the post offices close earlier.
Smoke
Norway has had an effective anti-smoking campaign for years. Smoking is strictly prohibited on all public transport, in public buildings, in publicly accessible places, in offices, at workplaces, in restaurants and cafes, etc. Tobacco and cigarettes are only sold to people over the age of 18.
Security
Norway is one of the safest countries in the world, but recently, previously unknown street crime has increased in major cities. Just take the usual precautionary measures: Avoid dark or lonely places and streets at night and do not leave anything desirable in the car.