Events in Norway 2009
January:
Jan 4: POLAR NIGHT MARATHON. TROMSO (A)
www.msm.no
Jan 8-11: REISELIV 2009. Norway’s largest travel show, both for trade and public. OSLO
www.reiselivsmessen.com
Jan 13-18: TROMSØ INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL. Norway’s largest film festival for movie goers. The festival screens a selection of quality films from the whole world, most of which has not previously been shown in Norway. TROMSØ
www.tiff.no
Jan 15-18: ICEFESTIVAL 2009. A festival focusing on one of the most important resoureces in the world – water. In this case frozen water. A unique artistic and musical project taking place every year at the first full moon. GEILO
www.icefestival.no
Jan 22-25 TRAD JAZZ FESTIVAL. International and Norwegian artists perform
at various venues in Stavanger. STAVANGER
www.tradjazzweekend.no
Jan 23-25: FINSEJAZZ. Jazz festival at Finse, the highest point on the Bergen Railway. The Bergen Railway will celebrate its 100 anniversary in 2009. FINSE
www.finse1222.no
Jan 23-31: NORTHERN LIGHTS FESTIVAL. Along with the return of the sun, a distinguished selection of international musicians come to the Northern Light Festival. The program offers music ranging from baroque to contemporary, from jazz to classical. TROMSO
www.nordlysfestivalen.no
Jan 29-Feb 1: ILIOS. Festival of contemporary music. HARSTAD
www.ilios.no
February:
Feb 4-8: POLARJAZZ. The world’s northernmost jazz festival on the islands of Svalbard, with some of he best musicians in Norway. SVALBARD www.polarjazz.no
Feb 5-21: KRISTIANSUND OPERA FESTIVAL. The festival presents a comprehensive menu within musical theater, and offers two or three opera productions, large church music productions, ballet and other concerts. KRISTIANSUND.
www.oik.no
Feb 6-8: WORLD CHAMPIONSSHIP IN SPEED SKATING . At Vikingskipet in Hamar. HAMAR
www.lillehammerturist.no
Feb 17-21: ROROSMARTNAN. The Roros Fair has been an annual tradition since 1854. UNESCO has designated the town of Roros a Cultural Heritage Landmark. Markets, concerts, exhibitions. ROROS
www.rorosmartnan.no
March:
Mar 5-8: ROROS WINTER FESTIVAL. Classical music festival with young Nordic artists together with international known artists such as Leif Ove Andsnes and Arve Tellefsen. ROROS
www.vinterfestspill.no
Mar 7: INGA LAMI. Cross-country ski race for women only. The historic ski race covers 9 miles around Lillehammer. More than 5000 women of all ages participates. LILLEHAMMER
www.inga-laami.no
Mar 13-22: OSLO INTERNATIONAL CHURCH MUSIC FESTIVAL. Concerts in Oslo
Cathedral and other churches in the city. OSLO
www.oslokirkemusikkfestival.no
Mar 14-22: NARVIK WINTER FESTIVAL. Festival including church music, jazz, classical music, markets, carnival, seminars, sports events. NARVIK www.vinterfestuka.no
Mar 18-22: WORLD CUP BIATHLON. TRONDHEIM
www.biathlon-holmenkollen.no
Mar 21: BIRKEBEINEREN. International cross-country ski race with historical roots, covering the distance between Lillehammer and Rena, a 33-mile trek. RENA - LILLEHAMMER
www.birkebeiner.no
Mar 24-28: BOREALIS – BERGEN CONTEMPORARY MUSIC FESTIVAL. BERGEN (A)
www.borealisfestival.no
Mar 27-28: WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS IN COD FISHING. The championships gather close to 300 competitors from near and far. The competition is finished with a lavish banquet and buffet prepared by local chefs. SVOLVAER (Lofoten Islands)
www.vmiskreifiske.info
April:
April 3-5: VOSSAJAZZ. Three days and nights of jazz and folk music at Voss, a major ski resort in Western Norway. International and Norwegian performers. VOSS
www.vossajazz.no
April 8-12: EASTER FESTIVAL. Easter is a popular holiday with Norway’s Sami population, as it is the traditional time of the year for weddings, confirmations and baptism. A variety of concerts, theater, art exhibits, snowmobile rallies and reindeer races (in which visitors can participate) take place. Also the Saami Film Festival in Kautokeino. KAUTOKEINO/KARASJOK
www.saami-easterfestival.org
April 16-19: SCANDINAVIAN GAME FAIR. Visitors from all over the world visit to Oslo to experience the latest within hunting, fishing and outdoor life. OSLO
www.villmarksmessen.no
April 27-29: NTW 2098. Norwegian Travel Workshop. International travel workshop with participation of 350 Norwegian suppliers and 350 tour operators. SVOLVAER
www.visitnorway.com/us
April 28-May 3 BERGEN FEST. Music festival including blues, country & western, cajun and rock. Norwegian and international performers. BERGEN
www.bergenfest.no
April 29-May 3 NORDIC LIGHT. International Festival for Photography. KRISTIANSUND
www.nle.no
May:
May 1: LABOR DAY. Parades throughout Norway
May 6-10: MAIJAZZ. International jazz festival. STAVANGER Phone: +47-51 84 66 68, Fax: +47-51 84 66 73 (Stavanger Jazz Club)
www.maijazz.no
May 9-11: CODSTOCK. Music and cultural festival. HENNINGSVAER www.codstock.com
May 15 ST: HALLVARD’S DAY. Celebration of Oslo’s patron saint. Folklore, concerts, theater, family entertainment. OSLO
www.sthallvardsdagen.no
May 17: CONSTITUTION DAY. Celebrations and parades all over Norway.
May 20-June 4: BERGEN INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL. One of Bergen’s artistic highlights. World- class music, dance, theater – an artistic window of the world. www.fib.no
May 20-30: NATTJAZZ. Northern Europe’s biggest jazz festival with music ranging from traditional jazz to World Music. Many internationally re-knowned artists. BERGEN
www.nattjazz.no
May 22-24: BLOSSOM FESTIVAL. Traditional folk dance festival.
KINSARVIK (Hardangerfjord)
www.hardangerfjord.com
May 28-June 6: HARDANGER MUSIC FESTIVAL. Music and culture from the Hardanger fjord area, chamber music, church music and folk music. ULLENSVANG www.hardangerfjord.com
May 30-31: OPEN SKY. Kite festival at the Hellestø Beach outside Stavanger, where children and adults can learn how to build kites. Part of the project Painting the Sky. STAVANGER
www.regionstavanger.com
June:
June –Aug: CONCERTS AT TROLDHAUGEN. Classical concerts with Norwegian and
international artists at composer Edvard Grieg’s home Troldhaugen. BERGEN
www.troldhaugen.no
June 1-6: TRONDHEIM JAZZ FESTIVAL. TRONDHEIM
www.jazzfest.no
June 5-7: BJØRGVIN MARKNAD. Viking and Medieval Festival with markets, games and activities at the Hirda Museum outside Bergen BERGEN
www.bjrogvinmarknad.no
June 6: OSLO MUSIC FESTIVAL. OSLO
www.musikkfest.no
June 11-14: VIKING FESTIVAL. Historical play, saga tales, competitions, marches, market, concerts, Viking camp. KOPERVIK
www.vikingfestivalen.no
June 11-14: NORWEGIAN WOOD. Annual rock music festival. With international and Norwegian musicians. OSLO
www.norwegianwood.no
June 12-18: PORSGRUNN INTERNATIONAL THEATER FESTIVAL. Ensembles from all over the world gather in the town of Porsgrunn. PORSGRUNN
www.pit.no
June 15-Aug 22: GRIEG IN BERGEN – CONCERT & STORY. BERGEN
www.grieginbergen.com
June 18-21: HARDINGTONAR. Festival with classical music. Also the Hardanger Boat Festival. NORHEIMSUND
www.hardangerfjord.com
June 19-21: THE GREAT CHALLENGE. Bicycle race from Trondheim to Oslo. Also shorter distances: Lillehammer-Oslo and Eidsvoll-Oslo. TRONDHEIM-OSLO
www.styrkeproven.no
June 20: MIDNIGHT SUN MARATHON. Marathon and other competitions at midnight. Concerts and other entertainment. TROMSO
www.msm.no
June 20-27: NORTH NORWAY FESTIVAL. The region’s largest cultural event, with music, theater, dance and art exhibitions. HARSTAD
www.festspillnn.no
June 21-28: EXTREME SPORT WEEK. International extreme sport competition, incl. skydiving, Rafting, kayaking, paragliding, hanggliding, climbing, BASE and MTB Freeride. VOSS
www.ekstremsportveko.com
June 23: MIDSUMMER NIGHT. Celebrations and bonfires throughout Norway
June 23-28: NATIONAL TRADITIONAL DANCE MUSIC FESTIVAL. Competitions in
traditional dance music with Norway’s best musicians participating. Also concerts and dances. GEILO & ÅL
www.landsfestivalen.no
June 23-28: RISOR CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL. International and Norwegian chamber music performers gather in the small town of Risor. RISOR
www.kammermusikkfest.no
July:
June 26-July 5: WORLD TOUR BEACH VOLLEYBALL. One of the world’s largest beach volleyball tournaments. STAVANGER
www.wtstavanger.com
June 30-July 4: QUART FESTIVAL 2009 One of Norway’s largest rock festivals. KRISTIANSAND.
www.quart.no
July 1-4: KONGSBERG INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL. Concerts with Norwegian and international artists. KONGSBERG
www.kongsberg-jazzfestival.no
July 2-4: BUKTA FESTIVAL. Music Festival. TROMSO
www.bukta.no
July 2-5: SKUDEFESTIVALEN. One of Norway’s largest coastal culture festivals with focus on boats in all categories, and also traditional music, folklore etc. SKUDENESHAVN
www.skudefestivalen.no
July 2-5: FORDE INT’L FOLK MUSIC FESTIVAL. Norway’s largest folk music festival with more than 250 performers from all over the world. Concerts, exhibitions, festival parades, dancing, etc. FØRDE
www.fordefestival.no
July 3: EXXON MOBIL BISLETT GAMES 2009. Golden League – International athletes break the world records. OSLO
www.bislettgames.com
July 3-5: HERØYSPELET. Historical festival including a historical play on an outdoor stage, Viking symposium, outdoor service at the historical island of Heroy. HEROY www.heroyspelet.no
July 4-5: EMIGRATION FESTIVAL. Festival focusing on the emigration from Norway to the US. Western Norway Emigration Center at Sletta on the island of Radøy outside Bergen. RADØY
www.utvandringssenter.no
July 6-12: LOFOTEN INTERNATIONAL CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL. Festival presenting artists from the Norwegian and international arena. LOFOTEN ISLANDS www.lofotenfestival.no
July 6-12: NORWAY MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL. Festival focusing on activities in the majestic mountains of Romsdal. Hiking, climbing courses, seminars and courses and activities for the whole family. ANDALSNES
www.norsk-fjellfestival.no
July 8-11: ÅLESUND BOAT FESTIVAL. ÅLESUND
www.batfestivalen.no
July 13-18: MOLDE INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL. Norway’s largest jazz festival, with more than 400 performers, many of them world famous. MOLDE
www.moldejazz.no
July 15-19: RIDDU RIDDU. Cultural festival for the indigenous people of the world. Particpants from all over world gather in the town of Kafjord in the county of Finnmark to exchange and celebrate their culture. Well-reknowned artists from Australia, Taiwan, Senegal, Siberia, Altay and Kalahari performed. KAFJORD
www.riddu.com
July 16-19: TELEMARK FESTIVAL. Festival not only presenting traditional folk music from all over the world, but also blues and jazz in harmony with folk music. More than 50 concerts and workshops where participants can learn traditional Norwegian dances, play traditional instruments or study together with guests from abroad. BO I TELEMARK
www.telemarkfestivalen.no
July 22-25:GLAD MAT. Food festival in the harbor of Stavanger. The festival shows new trends in cooking, let people taste, eat and have a good time. Also cooking competitions. STAVANGER
www.gladmat.no
July 23-26: CHERRY FESIVAL. Local cultural festival including World Championships in cherry Stone Spitting. LOFTHUS (Hardagerfjord)
www.morellfestivalen.com
July 24-29: SAINT OLAV PLAY. Historic play dedicated to St. Olav and Christianity’s introduction to Norway. Performed at Stiklestad, where Norway’s patron saint fell in 1030 A.D. Stiklestad Festival with church concerts, services and art exhibits. STIKLESTAD/VERDAL
www.stiklestad.no
July 26-Aug 1: NORWAY CUP 2008. International soccer tournament for youths. More than 1,500 teams from 40 nations compete. Age group 9-18. OSLO
www.norway-cup.no
July 29-Aug 8: PEER GYNT FESTIVAL. Art exhibits, music, processions with national costumes, open-air theater with performane of Henrik Ibsen’s ”Peer Gynt” and Edvard Grieg’s music, by Gala Lake. VINSTRA/GÅLÅ
www.peergynt.no
July 30-Aug 2: NOTODDEN BLUES FESTIVAL. International blues festival with several famous performers. ”Blues Train” from Oslo and ”Blues Cruise” on Lake Heddal. NOTODDEN
www.bluesfest.no
July 31-Aug 9: NORDLAND MUSIC FESTIVAL. The festival offers concerts within many musical genres – classical, jazz, rock and folk music – with national as well as international artists. Also church concerts, music theater, art exhibitions and more. BODØ
www.nordland-musikkfestuke.no
End July ST. OLAV FESTIVAL. A variety of cultural events (concerts, exhibitions,
religious services, seminars, pilgrimages, dance, historical market) commemmorating
the death of St. Olav at the battle of Stiklestad in 1030. TRONDHEIM www.olavsfestdagene.no
Aug 5-9 VARANGER FESTIVAL. Jazz festival. The festival presents concerts, jazz cruises on Coastal Voyage, seminars, street parades, theater, markets, exhibitions. VADSO
www.varangerfestivalen.no
Aug 6-9 MANDAL SEA FOOD FESTIVAL. In the narrow cobble stoned streets of Mandal will be laid long tables with fresh mussels, shrimps, cray fish, crabs and other delicacies from the ocean. Concerts and entertainment. MANDAL
www.skalldyrfestivalen.no
Aug 6-9 RISOR WOODENBOAT FESTIVAL. RISOR
www.trebatfestivalen.no
Aug 10-15 OSLO JAZZ FESTIVAL. The festival presents more than 80 concerts during 7 days. In addition to presenting the elite of Norwegian musicians, the festival also features many world famous performers. OSLO
www.oslojazz.no
Aug 10-18 INTERNATIONAL CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL. Festival aiming to unite world- renowned soloists and new talents to perform chamber music in various ensembles. STAVANGER
www.icmf.no
Aug 12-15 OYA FESTIVAL. Rock music festival in the medieval park Middelalderparken. OSLO
www.oyafestivalen.com
Aug 12-16 SILDAJAZZ. International trad jazz festival with more than 300 performers. HAUGESUND
www.sildajazz.no
Aug 14-23 OSLO CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL. International and Norwegian musicians perform on various stages in the city. OSLO
www.oslokammermusikkfestival.no
Aug 19-23 MR. GAY EUROPE 2009. OSLO
www.mrgayeurope.com
Aug 20-27 NORWEGIAN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL. Introduction of new Norwegian and foreign films. Also special New Nordic Films. Presentation of the Amanda Award. HAUGESUND
www.filmfestivalen.no
Sep 2-6 NUMUSIC FESTIVAL: EUROPEAN EDITION 2008. A FESTIVAL OF FESTIVALS. Inspired by Stavanger European Capital of Culture 2008, NUMusic will be creating the first ever festival of music festivals, where 14 independent new music festivals from around Europe will provide and recommend artist. STAVANGER
www.numusic.no
Sept. 11-13 RAPTUS INTERNATIONAL COMICS FESTIVAL. A weekend filled with all kinds of goodies from the world of cartoons. International and national cartoon artists will attend the festival. BERGEN
www.raptus.no
Sep. 16-20 CHAPTER 09. International festival on literature and freedom of expression. STAVANGER
www.kapittel.com
Sep. 21-27 TRONDHEIM CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL. TRONDHEIM
www.,kamfest.no
Sep. 27 OSLO MARATHON. OSLO
www.oslomarton.no
Early Oct. ULTIMA. Oslo Contemporary Music Festival. OSLO
www.ultima.no
October BERGART – BERGEN ART FESTIVAL. Annual festival with focus on contemporary art including dance, music, theater, film, literature. BERGEN
www.bergart.no
October POLAR SPECTACLE – VARANGER KING CRAB FESTIVAL. Festival with focus on one of the specialties of Norway’s northernmost region, the king crab. Concerts, art exhibits, king crab fjord safaris, and of course gourmet evenings. VADSØ
www.polarspectacle.no
Oct. 2-3 FRUIT & CIDER FESTIVAL. OYSTESE IN HARDANGERFJORD
www.siderfestival.no
Oct. 9-11 OSLO HORSE SHOW. Family show incl. Grand Prix. OSLO
www.oslohorseshow.com
Oct 10-25 CODA. OSLO INTERNATIONAL DANCE FESTIVAL. OSLO www.codadancefest.no
Oct. 21-28 BIFF. Bergen International Film Festival. BERGEN
www.biff.no