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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. 

Published: 25 April 2024 12:09 CEST
Pictured is a jazz concert.
Jazz festivals are among the best events happening in Norway in May. Pictured is a jazz concert. Photo by Jens Thekkeveettil on Unsplash

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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For members

WHAT CHANGES IN NORWAY

Taxes and budgets: Everything that changes in Norway in May 2024 

Tax rebates, an update on the ‘exit tax’, the revised national budget, and a potential new interest rate strategy are among the key things to look out for in May. 

Published: 24 April 2024 15:53 CEST
Updated: 1 May 2024 14:00 CEST
Taxes and budgets: Everything that changes in Norway in May 2024 

Deadline to pay back taxes, and tax rebate payouts 

May 31st is the deadline for business owners to submit their tax returns. This applies to sole proprietorships (Enkeltpersonforetak/EK) and companies (Selskap/AS). 

The end of May is also a key date if you expect a rebate. If you overpaid tax in 2023, this is when you will be confirmed to receive a rebate. Those who submitted their tax returns early may also receive their rebate in May. 

Those who have paid too little tax will have until May 31st to pay back any tax they own to avoid interest. 

Revised national budget

The Norwegian government will unveil its revised budget for the rest of 2024 on May 14th. In the morning, the key figures will be presented, before finance minister, Trygve Slagsvold Vedum, unveils the full set of proposals. 

Norway’s government has previously announced that it will increase defence spending heavily to meet the NATO “2 percent” target.  

One thing the parents of international school students may want to keep an eye on is whether the government will announce any changes to how it will fund private schools. 

Proposals in the last budget threatened the futures of some of Norway’s international schools. 

Norges Bank could change its interest rate strategy 

When it raised the key policy rate to 4.5 percent at the end of last year, Norges Bank said that rates would likely begin to come down again from September. 

However, economists are now of the opinion that the central bank will hold off doing this until December due to the economy, a weak krone, and wage rises this year. 

The central bank will convene on May 3rd, and it may wish to outline a new interest rate strategy. 

Consultation for the “exit tax” ends

Norway’s Ministry of Finance has proposed amendments to the emigration tax. The government wants tougher tax rules for people leaving the country. 

The new system will see the state close loopholes that exist within the current exit tax rules, and emigrants will be charged on the gains they have made on shares while residing in Norway when moving assets overseas. 

The tax will apply retroactively from March 20th, 2024. Emigrants will be presented with several options for fulfilling this tax obligation. They will be able to choose to pay the tax immediately, opt for interest-free instalments spread over a 12-year period, or defer payment until after the 12-year deadline, but with accrued interest.

On May 21st, the public consultation period for the proposed policy ends. This means that the government will have had input on how the tax will, or should work. 

READ MORE: What we know so far about Norway’s plans for an exit tax

Public holidays 

Workers in Norway can expect no less than four days off from work in May due to several public holidays. 

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

The largest public holiday will be the Constitution Day celebrations on May 17th. This sees parades and celebrations across the country to mark the signing of Norway’s constitution. 

READ MORE: Why does Norway celebrate May 17th?

This is followed by Whit Monday on May 20th, meaning workers in Norway will be treated to a long weekend. 

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