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DISCOVER NORWAY

Nine unmissable events in Norway in March 2024 

Film, music and wine festivals, Bodø 2024 cultural events, standup shows, Easter, and a showcase of the best chefs in Europe are the things happening in Norway in March that should be in your diary. 

Pictured is a stage.
There are a number of fantastic events happening in Norway in March 2024. Pictured is a stage.Photo by Diane Picchiottino on Unsplash

World Cup Biathlon Holmenkollen, Feb 29th – March 3rd

Holmenkollen, Oslo, will host its annual World Cup event at the state-of-the-art biathlon stadium in the traditional home of Norwegian winter sports. 

Attendees can expect a party atmosphere at the event, which typically draws crowds in the thousands. 

Events will take place at Holmenkollen until March 10th. 

Kosmorama Film Festival, Trondheim, March 4th – 10th

The international film festival will celebrate its emerald anniversary in 2024. 

More than 80 films from all over the world will be shown during the festival in central Norway. 

A number of ticketing options are available, such as single films, multiple films of your choosing and an entire festival pass. 

The festival’s website shows an overview of the films that will be played

Hygge standup comedy night in Oslo, March 14th 

Nieu Scene in Torshov will host an English standup comedy night featuring a host of comedians delivering their set in English. The event promises plenty of midweek laughs for 200 kroner per ticket. 

The lineup includes comedians who have performed on Norwegian television. The full lineup is Mette Aldstad, Hans Magne Skard, Hanna Kanon, Pernille Haaland, Hani Hussein, Frida Homlung, Ahmed Mamow, Hannah Lerfaldet, Cécile Moroni, Martin Marki, and Jim Swann. 

 Stavanger Wine Festival, March 13th – 16th 

For three days, starting March 13th, wine lovers in Stavanger will be able to enjoy the annual wine festival. The showcase of all things grapes will include multiple wine tastings at restaurants across the city. Many of the events require tickets, so it’s best to book ahead of time.

Borealis, Bergen, March 13th – 17th 

Contemporary and experimental music take centre stage during the Borealis Festival in Bergen. 

The event will have five full days of concerts, sound installations, family events, and conversations. 

Music from Norway, the Sami people, and the rest of the world will all be showcased. More information can be found on the event’s website

Bocuse d’Or European qualifiers, Trondheim, March 19th – March 20th 

Bocuse d’Or, the world’s most prestigious and challenging cooking competition, is coming to Trondheim in March. 

Some of the best chefs from Europe will go head-to-head at the Trondheim Spektrum. Producers, suppliers and passionate chefs will gather, and attendees will be able to experience exhibitions, demonstrations and tastings. 

Tickets are available online

Launch of Bodø 2024’s ‘Spring Optimism’ season, March 24th 

“The new north” marks the start of Bodø 2024’s Spring Optimism season. Nine songwriters have put together a showcase that threads together the mixing of modern and historical traditions in northern Norway. 

The songwriters come from several genres, such as rap, vise, joik (a unique form of cultural expression for the Sami people in Sápmi) and reggae. 

The event is hosted by Svømmehallen Scene in Bodø. More information is available on the Bodø 2024 website

Easter 2024 

Unlike some events on this list, your participation won’t be restricted by where you live. 

Easter in Norway is typically spent outdoors, trying to enjoy some early spring sunshine. Cross-country skiing and alpine skiing are incredibly popular activities at Easter. 

Norwegians typically read crime novels, and the sale of Kvikk Lunsj chocolate bars and oranges soars. 

For those who like to party, resorts like Hemsedal have become the go-to place. 

Even if you don’t feel like enjoying some Norwegian traditions, you’ll have a long weekend off of work to look forward to due to the public holidays. 

Inferno Metal Festival, Oslo, March 28th-31st 

The Inferno Metal Festival takes place over the long Easter weekend. 

The four-day festival sees some of the biggest names from Norway and the world brought to Oslo. 

Dimmu Borgia, At The Gates, andTaake are the acts set to headline. Tickets for the shows are still available at the time of writing but may sell out.

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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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