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DISCOVER NORWAY

DISCOVER NORWAY: Seven unmissable events in July 

Comedy festivals, Pride marches and summer events are among the great activities happening across Norway during July. 

Published: 27 June 2023 16:55 CEST
Updated: 1 July 2023 08:54 CEST
Pictured is the Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim.
These are the best events happening in Norway in July. Pictured is the Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim. Photo by Joshua Kettle on Unsplash

Oslo Pride parade 

The biggest Pride parade in Norway takes to the streets of Oslo on July 1st. The route will begin in Grønland and stretches all the way to the town hall. 

The parade begins at 1pm. Organisers write that Grønlandsleiret/Vaterland/Spektrum and Grensen are the best places to join this year’s parade.  

Participants are asked to bring water and dress for the weather if there is rain. Alcohol is forbidden as it would break the rules on drinking in public. 

The 10-year anniversary of the 7 Fjell Bryggeri

On the other side of the country, at the beginning of July, the brewery the 7 Fjell Bryggeri will hold a number of events to mark ten years of business. 

The party will run between midday and 11pm at the brewery, located at Fjellsdalen 5. The beginning of the afternoon will be marked with family events, serving hot dogs and soda and will feature a bouncy castle. Children will have free entry. 

Throughout the rest of the day, there will be food trucks, live music and standup delivered in the traditional Bergen standup. 

A number of other breweries will be making the trip to Bergen for attendees to sample their wares. Tickets start from 200 kroner per person. 

Stavernfestivalen

Stavernfestivalen is an annual music festival that takes place in the small town of Stavern in Larvik Municipality at the Larvik Golf Arena. It has been running strong for more than 20 years.

The festival usually takes place in July (from July 6th to July 8th this year), and tens of thousands of people visit the event.

As of the time of writing, confirmed performers for the 2023 Stavernfestivalen include Karpe, Kygo, Nial Horan, Tyga, Dagny, Ice Spice, and many others. You can find the full line-up on the official festival website.

Remember that you’ll need to show an ID before entering and that the festival has strict age requirement rules in place – both are common for most major festivals in Norway.

Tickets for the festival are still available online. 

Molde International Jazz Festival

The Molde International Jazz Festival, also known as Moldejazz, is among the oldest jazz festivals in Europe. It takes place every year in July – this year, the festival will run from July 17th to 22nd – and it has been bringing joy to jazz lovers in Norway since 1961.

If you’re into jazz and staying in Norway for the summer, going to Moldejazz is a must. Tickets can be bought on the festival’s website. 

Oslo Humorfest 

Between July 5th and July 8th, the SALT art and culture centre in Oslo will hold a comedy festival featuring improv, shows and traditional standup. 

A number of comedians famous in both Norway and other countries will feature, such as recent Britain’s Got Talent winner Viggo Venn. Day passes and tickets to each individual show are available. 

Slottsfjell

Slottsfjell is one of Norway’s most popular rock and pop music festivals. It takes place in Tønsberg in eastern Norway and has been a hit with audiences since its launch in 2003.

The 2023 edition of Slottsfjell will take place from July 12th to 13th. Machine Gun Kelly, Lil Nas X, Zara Larsson, Klovner I Kamp and Sondre Justad are among those to have been confirmed to be performing. 

Olav’s festival 

The Trondheim International Olaf Festival begins at the end of July and runs into August. The event, held in Trondheim around the stunning Nidaros Cathedral, will feature music and cultural performances. The festival is centred around the belief in diverse artistic and cultural expressions. 

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PROPERTY

Why do all homes in Norway seem to look the same?

Of course not every home in Norway is identical but there are several major trends that are easily identifiable in most cities that might give you the impression that they all look the same.

Published: 25 June 2024 12:47 CEST
Why do all homes in Norway seem to look the same?

Before we explain the similarities there is plenty of variety among homes in Norway.

Different regions in Norway have their own styles, and people’s personal tastes and modern trends also play a role.

Furthermore, urban areas are way more eclectic compared to rural and more isolated regions, and at the same time, the biggest cities need to deal with population pressure.

READ MORE: What you need to know about the Norwegian housing model

However, it is undeniable that a few significant trends dominate the landscape in most of Norway’s towns and cities.

The traditional wooden house

The first trend is the traditional wooden house, which is often medium-sized and square.

These homes, painted in classic colours such as white, dark red, ochre yellow, or brown, are omnipresent across Norway.

While you will easily spot them in any smaller town, even the two largest cities – Oslo and Bergen – still boast many traditional wooden houses.

READ MORE: Oslo versus Bergen: Five big differences between Norway’s two largest cities

If you take a walk to Bergen’s Old Town, you’ll find an array of traditional wooden houses in the area behind the UNESCO-protected Bryggen Wharf. Many wooden houses can also be found in the centrally located Verftet neighbourhood on the Nordnes peninsula.

Their uniform appearance stems from historical building practices and the practicality of using wood as a primary construction material in a forest-rich country.

These homes not only serve as a testament to Norway’s architectural heritage but also adapt well to the country’s climate, providing insulation against the cold.

Additionally, local building regulations often dictate specific architectural styles to preserve the cultural heritage of Norwegian towns and villages – especially in neighbourhoods with a rich past.

Lofoten houses

Wooden houses in Reine, Lofoten Islands, northern Norway. Photo by Jonas Geschke on Unsplash

Modern Norwegian housing

The second trend includes more modern housing solutions, such as terraced houses, new builds, and apartment blocks.

These structures are increasingly common in urban areas where space is at a premium. Many construction projects in the outskirts of Bergen feature this kind of development as the city expands to accommodate its growing population.

This trend reflects contemporary architectural styles and is often designed with energy efficiency and sustainability in mind.

The uniformity here is driven by modern urban planning in cities like Oslo, Bergen, Trondheim, and Stavanger.

Aker Brygge

The Aker Brygge wharf area in central Oslo. Photo by Meriç Dağlı on Unsplash

Traditional vs modern: What advocates of the two styles say

Supporters of traditional Norwegian homes argue that these old structures are very durable. They point out that the wood used in homes from 40 to over 80 years ago comes from slow-growing trees, making it dense and rot-resistant.

Compared to modern building materials, which they often view as inferior, they claim that wood in these older homes ensures longevity – as long as the house has been adequately maintained.

READ MORE: What you should know before buying a house in rural Norway

Furthermore, the longevity of old wooden houses in Norway is well-documented. Many homes built in the early 20th century still retain their original structure despite multiple renovations.

As long as the wood remains dry, it can last for decades – or even centuries.

On the other hand, with advancements in building technology, modern houses are designed to minimise heat loss, reduce energy consumption, and lower utility bills – particularly relevant in the cost-of-living crisis plaguing Norway and Europe in recent years.

These homes often feature high-level insulation, double or triple-glazed windows, and advanced heating systems, which make them more environmentally friendly and cost-effective in the long run.

Another key advantage of modern homes is their adherence to strict building codes and standards.

Today, Norwegian houses are built to high specifications, ensuring safety, comfort, and durability. Mandated ventilation systems improve indoor air quality and prevent issues like mould and dampness.

In addition to technical improvements, modern homes are also designed with contemporary lifestyles in mind. Open floor plans and larger windows create bright and adaptable living spaces.

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