Norwegian culture is a vibrant mix of music, film, and various popular festivals. With over 900 festivals throughout the country, Norway offers events that celebrate music, food, literature, sports, film, theatre, history, and more.
While festivals take place year-round, the summer season is the peak time for celebrations. If you’re planning to attend a festival, be sure to check the dates on the festival’s official website or through Tour The Nordic. Keep in mind that major festivals, particularly in big cities, as well as national holidays, are widely observed across Norway, often leading to closures of attractions and banks. According to Rick Steves, the upcoming major festivals and holidays in Norway for 2024 and 2025 include:
2024
June 23: St. John’s Eve (midsummer festival)
June 26–29: Gladmat, Stavanger (food festival)
August 19–31: Grieg in Bergen (concert series)
August 6–11: International Chamber Music Festival, Stavanger
August 7–14: Oslo Chamber Music Festival
August 11–17: Oslo Jazz Festival
September 12–21: Ultima Contemporary Music Festival, Oslo
October 19–22: DølaJazz, Lillehammer
December 10: Nobel Peace Prize Award Ceremony, Oslo
December 13: St. Lucia Day, across Norway (festival of lights, parade)
December 24–25: Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (closures)
December 26: Boxing Day (closures)
2025
January 1: New Year’s Day (closures)
April 17–21: Easter weekend (Maundy Thursday through Easter Monday; closures)
May 1: May Day (parades, some closures)
May 7–11: MaiJazz, Stavanger (international jazz festival)
May 8: Liberation Day
May 15: St. Hallvard’s Day, Oslo (theater, concerts)
May 17: Constitution Day (parades, closures)
May 21–June 4: Bergen International Festival (concerts, ballet, opera, theater)
May 29: Ascension (closures)
May 30–June 1 (likely): Oslo Middelalderfestival (medieval festival)
June 8 & 9: Pentecost and Whit Monday (closures)
June 11–14 (likely): Bergenfest (rock, pop, hip hop, and folk music)
June 23: St. John’s Eve (Sankthansaften; midsummer festival)
June 25–28 (likely): Gladmat, Stavanger (food festival)
