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DISCOVER NORWAY

DISCOVER NORWAY: Seven unmissable events in June 2023 

Music festivals, street food meetups, Pride events and culture workshops for children are among the best events happening in Norway in June.

Pictured is a group of friends sat on the grass at a music festival.
These are some of the best events in Norway in June. Pictured is a group of friends sat on the grass at a music festival. Photo by Aranxa Esteve on Unsplash

Pride events 

Oslo Pride begins on June 23rd and lasts until the beginning of July. Oslo Pride is Norway’s largest pride celebration. Organisers have said that volunteers are working to make this year’s event the biggest yet. 

The main parade is actually on July 1st, but other events in June include Pride Park, Pride House and Mini Pride. You can read more about Oslo Pride (in Norwegian) on the website of the organisers

Bergen Pride will run much earlier in June, beginning on June 2nd and lasting until June 10th. Over 80 different events with 50,000 participants are planned. The parade itself is on the 10th. 

NEON music festival

The NEON music festival returns for the second time on June 9th and 10th in Trondheim’s Bryggeribyen E.C. Dahls Arena. 

Lewis Capaldi, James Bay, Mimi Webb, Benjamin Ingrosso, and Dean Lewis, as well as several Scandinavian pop and dance-pop stars, such as Sigrid, Dagny, and Zara Larsson, are among the performers. 

Tickets are already available, and you can choose between a festival pass, daily tickets, or premium ticket options.

Other festivals 

Norway’s two largest cities will also host several festivals in June. First, Natt Jazz and Bergen International Festival wrap up at the beginning of June. Then between June 14th and June 17th, Norway’s second city will host Bergenfest. Sigrid, Ayra Starr, Iggy Pop, and Ylvis are among the headliners. 

In Oslo, there will be two festivals running (almost) simultaneously. The Oslo music festival takes place between June 14th and June 17thPiknik I Parken (or PiP festival) will begin on the 15th and end on the 17th. The festival, taking place in Sofienberg Park in Gruneløkka, will host acts like alt-J, The 1975 and Busta Rhymes. Tons of Rock and Loaded Festival also take place in Oslo in June. Kristiansand and Stavanger will also host festivals in June. 

Sankthans 

Friday June 23rd is Sankthans Aften, which is a midsummer celebration. For the uninitiated, the evening celebrates a shared gratitude for long days and warm nights. 

It is popular to celebrate the occasion by gathering around a bonfire with friends. The city is a special occasion in the city of Ålesund, where the celebrations are famous for the massive bonfire which is lit on the shores of the waters surrounding the city. 

Many Norwegians say that if you sleep with a sankthansblomst or a “red campion flower” underneath your pillow on the night of sankthans, then your future spouse will appear in your dreams. 

Miniøya 2023 

An activity for kids will be Miniøya (mini islands) 2023. The event is a culture and music festival for children. The festival takes place between June 10th and June 11th in Tøyen Park in Oslo. 

In addition to music, there will be performances from the National Theatre, literature events and activity workshops. 

Summer at the Museums 

From June 23rd to August 20th, 12 museums and 32 attractions in south Trøndelag will run a packed schedule of summer activities for all ages. 

Events are planned at attractions such as Sverresborgthe Norwegian Deaf MuseumRingve Music MuseumRockheim and Trondheim Maritime Museum, to name a few. 

Food trucks across Norway 

Street Food Norway is taking several food trucks on tour across Norway. During June, the food trucks will visit Fredrikstad, Moss, Hønefoss, Drammen, Skien, Larvik, Amfi, Halden and Åsane. Other events will be held in Bryne, Karmøy, Eidsvoll, Kingsberg and Holkksund. 

Gyros, Belgian fries, churros, dumplings, raclette, poke, waffles and pizza are among the dishes on offer. In addition, cuisines such as Mexican, Italian and Thai will also be offered. 

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DISCOVER NORWAY

Eight unmissable events happening in Norway in May 2024 

A trio of jazz festivals, a new museum opening, and the seven mountain hike in Bergen are among the best things happening in Norway in May. 

Eight unmissable events happening in Norway in May 2024 

Three different jazz festivals 

May is looking to be a good month for music lovers in Norway, as three different festivals will be held throughout the country.

First up, is Maijazz Stavanger. The festival started in 1989 and is one of the largest events in the Stavanger region. 

The festival begins on May 3rd and runs until May 8th. Tickets are available for individual concerts and shows

This is followed by Jazzfest Trondheim, which commences on May 6th. The festival will run through to the 11th. Jazzfest places a focus on jazz music and musicians from Norway, the Nordics and northern Europe. 

The festival also includes workshops and jam sessions. 

Bergen Jazz Festival then closes out a month of concerts. The week-long festival begins on May 24th and extends into the beginning of June.

New museum in Kristiansand 

A grain silo from 1935 will get a new lease of life when Kunstsilo opens in Kristiansand on May 11th. 

The museum will combine three permanent collections, the Tangen collection, the Sørlands collection and the Christianssands Picture Gallery.

The museum’s collection will comprise the world’s largest collection of Nordic modernism. Visitors can also enjoy international digital contemporary art, temporary exhibitions, lectures, concerts, dining experiences, workshops, function rooms, and events.

May 17th and public holiday galore 

It doesn’t matter where you are in the country. May 17th promises to be a special day across Norway

The country’s national day will see the public dressed in folk costumes and attend parades with marching bands. 

Oslo is set to have the largest parade, which makes its way up Karl Johan Street to the Royal Palace. 

Wednesday, May 1st will see workers off for Labour Day, this is followed by Ascension day on May 9th. 

This is followed by Whit Monday on May 20th, meaning workers in Norway will have a long weekend between Constitution Day and Whit Monday. 

Bergen International Festival 

Norway’s oldest cultural festival (established in 1953), the Bergen International Festival (Festspillene i Bergen), is scheduled to take place between May 22nd and June 5th.

The festival usually offers visitors a blend of theatre, dance, music, opera, and visual art, showcasing both Norwegian and international talent.

Each year, the Bergen International Festival captivates audiences with hundreds of live performances staged both indoors and outdoors.

Seven mountain hike in Bergen 

The annual seven mountain hike in Bergen will see residents and visitors scramble across the seven peaks that sit above the city. The whole day can be used to complete the 30 km-long route.

You can also opt to do just five or three mountains instead. The event begins on May 26th. 

Oslo medieval festival 

The Oslo Medieval Festival is at Akershus Fortress in the capital. Each day promises fun events for the whole family, with the fortress, which dates back to the 1200s, providing plenty of authentic medieval atmosphere. 

Wandering jugglers, jesters, musicians, beggars, historical plays, longbow shooting, and concerts with medieval songs and instruments are all on the itinerary. All this is in addition to the market selling goods from Norway and abroad. 

The festival takes place between May 26th and May 29th. 

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