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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

How to check the water quality when swimming in Norway 

Known for its pristine nature, it's no wonder many dip into Norway's lakes, rivers and fjords. Here's how you can check the water quality. 

How to check the water quality when swimming in Norway 

When you see a great spot of water to paddle in, it’s natural to want the water quality to match the surroundings—after all, nobody wants to pick up a nasty bug while going for a swim. 

Thankfully, water quality is taken relatively seriously in Norway. For example, out of more than 40 open swimming spots monitored in Oslo, covering beaches, lakes, and fjordside spots, just three received a “bad rating.” 

These ratings were based on the water’s appearance, but also on lab tests for bacterial levels. 

Tests of the quality of water occur fairly regularly, and factors such as the weather and the water becoming contaminated can affect the overall water levels. 

Checking the water quality before you pick a spot to go swimming can help inform your trip. 

Where to find water quality information

Local authorities in Norway will publish information on the quality of the water. Samples are typically collected from the most popular spots, meaning you may not have information for every spot you wish to check. 

Oslo Municipality tracks the water quality of 49 saltwater and freshwater swimming areas

The authorities in Bergen also take weekly readings of the water quality across 23 different spots open to the public

Water quality is also regularly monitored in Trondheim, and like with other local authorities – regular warnings are posted. You can find ratings for each of Trondheim’s public swimming spots here

To check your local area, simply search badevannskvalitet followed by the municipality. Not every area will have a dedicated section for water quality checks. You can also search for just vannkvalitet. 

However, other ways would be to ask local outdoor groups about areas prone to issues. 

Furthermore, there are some general tips to help you avoid poor-quality water. Typically, be wary of the water quality after heavy rainfall, as sewage may have overflowed in waterways, or contaminants may spill into the water. 

Areas with blue-green algae should also be avoided, as they can cause skin irritation and an upset stomach. They can also cause very serious health issues for pets. 

What if there are issues? 

When a water issue is found, the municipality typically issues a notice for the public, which is posted on its website or appears in the local press. Furthermore, health authorities in Norway also publish information on specific issues. 

For example, the Norwegian Institute of Public Health has an overview of all the waters in which the parasite “swimmers itch” has been discovered

It has also published information on the potential health risks of swimming in Norway.  

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