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All year round, and especially in the summer months, there is a myriad of music festivals in Norway, covering both popular genres such as jazz, blues and contemporary music, as well as niche genres showcasing more experimental music. The festival scene in Norway holds a high standard and can easily measure up against festivals in Europe.
Norway is in many ways a country of extremes, so it’s perhaps not a coincidence that some of the genres that have thrived here for decades are black metal and jazz (or even black jazz …). Black metal can be experienced in Norway during the Inferno festival, held every Easter in Oslo. Jazz festivals can be found in places such as Molde, Kongsberg, Haugesund, Oslo and Lillehammer.
And speaking of extremes, every year in Voss you can enjoy Ekstremsportveko, the largest extreme sports festival of its kind, which usually holds a few memorable concerts as well. Norway is not a country for glamorous film festivals with loads of stars and red carpets, but there are a few very unique ones for the cinephiles. The international film festival in Tromsø in January has a very special atmosphere, while the Film fra Sør (Films from the South) festival in Oslo shows new and exciting titles from Asia, Africa and South America.
Food, and especially local food, is more and more important to Norwegians, and in the last few years a number of new food festivals have popped up across the country. It’s perhaps unfair to mention only one, but the Rakfisk festival in Fagernes (Rakfisk is brine-cured fish – trout, sometimes char – that has been salted and left to ferment in brine for two to three months) is an event you should not miss if you are in the area.
And last, but not least, we should also mention that there is a variety of theatre and literature festivals as well, for the highbrows among us.
Festivals in Norway might present you with “all four seasons in one day” and it is highly recommended to pack functional clothing. Here is a list of practical packing tips:
Layered clothing: as temperatures may vary, you should be able to add or remove clothing accordingly. Light woolens are recommended, even during summer.
Rain gear/poncho: stay dry on a rainy day.
Rain boots: you might get far with sneakers or converse, but only rain boots will keep your feet happy in heavy rain.
Bug spray: prepare yourself for the mosquitos.
Sunglasses: don't be squinting at the stage.
Sunscreen: protect yourself in the sun.
Power charger: charging your phone can be challenging at the festival.
Earplugs: in case you need to give your ears a break.
Remember to leave your most valuable belongings at home.
Experience Europe's oldest annual jazz festival in Molde and others.
Showcasing big-name international artists as well as up-and-coming local bands.
A multitude of food types, tastes and activities for "foodies" of all ages.
With hundreds of music festivals to choose from, it can be difficult to know where to begin. Øystein Greni, lead singer in the rock band Bigbang, shares his six favourite festivals in Norway.
From street food festivals to seafood and other local specialities, food festivals have become an increasingly popular phenomenon in Norway. See our food festival calendar to find a festival where you are going.
With so many festivals happening in Norway, you are best off following your inner rhythm. Professional festival photographer Tord Litleskare leads the way.
In Norway you have more 900 festivals to choose from, and around 300 of these are art and cultural festivals. Whether you fancy music, performing arts or traditional events, here are five Norwegian cultural festivals out of the ordinary.
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