Oslo World 2026 (27 Oct–1 Nov): A First-Timer's Guide to Oslo's Global Music Festival

What Oslo World is

Every autumn, Oslo World has filled the city's concert halls, clubs and churches with music from Latin America, Africa, Asia and the SWANA region (South West Asia and North Africa). The 2026 festival runs from Tuesday 27 October to Sunday 1 November. Concerts are spread across venues in central Oslo, and the programme also includes talks, seminars and art exhibitions.

There is no single festival site. Each concert is ticketed separately through Ticketmaster, so you can treat Oslo World as a week of gigs and build your own route through it. You might choose one big seated concert, a club night, or a string of shows across town.

Night by night: the confirmed highlights so far

Tuesday 27 October: opening night at Chateau Neuf

The festival opens at Chateau Neuf. Lebanese oud master and composer Marcel Khalife presents Promises of the Storm in the Storsalen hall at 20:00. In Betong, Sami Galbi (18+) takes over at 22:00. You can see both in one evening without changing buildings, which makes this an easy first night out.

Wednesday 28 October

Pakistani Sufi singer Sanam Marvi plays Cosmopolite. Portugal's Salvador Sobral also plays Cosmopolite, with doors at 20:00 and the concert at 21:00. Los Wembler's de Iquitos play Goldie at 21:30. Check the official programme for the rest of the Wednesday line-up, with venues and times.

Thursday 29 October

This is one of the busiest nights:

• KALEM at Kulturkirken Jakob (Hausmanns gate 14), 19:00 (doors 18:00). This converted church is one of the festival's most atmospheric rooms.
• South Africa's BCUC and Mazaher at Nasjonal Jazzscene (Karl Johans gate 35). Mazaher has doors at 17:00 and the concert at 18:00; check the programme for BCUC's time. A same-night double ticket for the two is available.
• The Oslo World UNG event with Pen Gutt, Kaoroo and SwagTV is listed as Under 18. Check the programme for venue and time.

Friday 30 October

Los Thuthanaka play BLÅ, with doors at 21:30 and the concert at 22:30. Dirty Three play at 18:00, but that show is sold out. Nai Barghouti plays Kulturkirken Jakob with Ruven Ruppik, Tord Gustavsen and Steinar Raknes. Lido Pimienta and Frente Cumbiero are also part of the festival; check the programme for their date, venue and time.

The weekend

Saturday 31 October includes Japanese noise-rock band Melt-Banana at Kafé Hærverk (doors 20:00, concert 21:00; sold out), Los Plantronics at 20:00 and Iris Caltwait at Kulturkirken Jakob at 20:00. Check the official programme for Sunday 1 November and for any further additions.

How to choose your night

If you want a seated, focused concert, start with Marcel Khalife at Chateau Neuf or KALEM at Kulturkirken Jakob. These rooms suit listening more than dancing.

If you want to dance, try Thursday or Friday. BCUC at Nasjonal Jazzscene and the late show at BLÅ are your best bets.

If you want to discover something new, pick a venue rather than an artist. Book a double bill in one place, such as Betong after Storsalen on opening night, or stay at one club for the evening. Some of the festival's best moments come from names you had never heard before.

If you are short on time, cluster your shows by neighbourhood and check the venue addresses before you book.

Venues and getting around

Most venues are in or close to the city centre:

• Nasjonal Jazzscene: Karl Johans gate 35.
• Kulturkirken Jakob: Hausmanns gate 14.

The full list of venues is on the Oslo World venues page. Plan your routes with Ruter's journey planner, especially if you are hopping between venues on a late weeknight.

Families and young audiences

The festival's family programme, Barnas verdensdager, took place earlier in October at Grønland kulturstasjon. Oslo World also runs a youth strand, Oslo World UNG; see the programme for its events.

Tickets and practicalities

Tickets for individual concerts are sold through Ticketmaster, linked from the official festival site. Prices vary by concert and venue, so check the ticket page for each show. Smaller rooms like Kafé Hærverk and Kulturkirken Jakob hold far fewer people than Chateau Neuf's Storsalen, so book those first if a show there is on your list.

Some shows have age limits, and some, such as Melt-Banana and Dirty Three, are already sold out. Times and venues can also change. Check the full programme before you go on osloworld.no.