Oslo, Norway » Entertainment » Festivals

People of Oslo often celebrate different festivals to express their rich heritage. There are regular concerts at the Norsk Musikkhogskole, the Spektrum Hall, the Vallehoven Arena and the Ullevaal Stadium. The Holmenkollen Ski Festival is also quite a popular festival held in Oslo. Furthermore, The Finken Cup is one of the biggest sporting events in Oslo.

• January

Disney on Ice

Held in mid January at the Oslo Spektrum on Sonja Henies Plass, Disney on Ice is an event where all the family members can come together to enjoy ice skating performed by some of Walt Disney’s best loved characters.

• February

No major events take place in the month of February.

• March

Oslo Kirkemusikkfestival (Church Music Festival)

Marked with choir, concerts, pipe organists and gospel groups performing in different churches and cathedrals, this event is hosted throughout the month of March.

Lillehammer WinterArts Festival

Lillehammer WinterArts Festival is also held throughout March. People come together to enjoy the natural icy wonders and frozen waterfalls in Lillehammer, close to Oslo.

• April

Inferno Festival

Held in early April, Norwegian groups play to a fully packed auditorium at the Rockerfeller Music hall. This is the biggest heavy metal festival in Oslo.

• May

Grete Waitz-Lopet

Grete Waitz-Lopet is a race for women athletes of all ages and generally it is organized at the start of May.

Norwegian Constitution Day / National Day

Celebrations of Independence Day in Norway, Norwegian Constitution Day / National Day is generally held in mid May.

Norwegian Military Tattoo

A colourful event marked with gymnastic displays and marching brass bands at the Oslo Spektrum.

• June

Norwegian Wood

The most popular Nordic Music festival, Norwegian Wood is carried out throughout June.

Bislett Games

Bislett Games is an athletics event held at the Bislett Stadion.

Oslo Middelalderfestival

A famous medieval folk festival, Oslo Middelalderfestival features Norwegian fare and concerts along with traditional arts and crafts based around the Stortorget area.

Ta Sjansen

One of the unusual events in Oslo, Ta Sjansen is a fun boat event. Thousands of people gather to watch the skiers race down Holmenkollen ski jump into the boats before they drop themselves into the water below.

• July

Oslo Grieg Festival

Oslo Grieg Festival is an annual celebration wherein concerts are held throughout the month of July in the National Library and National Gallery.

• August

Norway Cup

Celebrated in July and August, Norway Cup is a week-long soccer championship.

• August

Oslo Kammermusikkfestival (Chamber Music Festival)

A cultural music festival with chamber music performed by most of Norway’s leading musicians at various venues.

Oslo Jazzfestival

Oslo Jazzfestival is celebrated in mid August with many Live Jazz performances.

Arts and Crafts Fair

Arts and Crafts fair is the biggest event in Norway, held in late August on the outskirts of Oslo in Lillestrom.

• September

Ultima

Held from late September to early October, Ulitma is a modern music festival held in Oslo.

Oslo Half Marathon

Oslo Half Marathon is a central race held in late September every year. There are over 10,000 participants who start their journey from the Bislett Stadium and make their way through the Karl Johans Gate.

• October

Oslo Horse Show

A three day event marked with everything right from show jumping to horse racing.

• November

Samler and Antikk Messen

Held at the Norges Varemesse, Samler and Antikk Messen is the biggest antique fair held in Oslo.

• December

Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony

The ceremony starts when the Christams tree on the University Square is lit up. It is an outdoor event attended by a lot of people.

Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony

Hosted by the Norwegian Nobel Institute, the Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony is a world famous event held on December 10th every year at the Oslo Town Hall.

Christmas at Bogstad

A traditional Scandinavian Christmas fair celebrated throughout December, marked by the Norwegian handicrafts and held inside the Bogstad Gard area outside Oslo.