FOOD FESTIVALS
IN NORWAY

Matstreif food festival .
Photo: Fredrik Ahlsen, Maverix / Visitnorway.com

Apples at Matstreif .
Photo: Fredrik Ahlsen, Maverix / Visitnorway.com

Get ready to sink your teeth in some new and delicious foods!

Sausage at Matstreif .
Photo: Fredrik Ahlsen, Maverix / Visitnorway.com

And maybe some tasty and refreshing beverages you never tried before!

Elderflower soft drinks .
Photo: Fredrik Ahlsen, Maverix / Visitnorway.com

From street food festivals to seafood and other local specialities, food festivals have become an increasingly popular phenomenon in Norway, a country where the inhabitants have always enjoyed eating and drinking outside.

Here, the term “local food” most often means ingredients that are hunted and harvested in the same landscape as you eat them in.

The majority of the food fairs and festivals take place in the summer season, many in the late summer and early autumn. Check out the festival and events calendar for a full overview of all food-related events in Norway.

A foodie’s guide to Norway’s top 5 food festivals

"I think there are several reasons for the growing interest in food, especially local food. More and more people are concerned with what they eat. We want quality products as well as knowledge about the roots and history of the food we buy. We travel more, discover new regions and their culture. And with that comes an interest in local specialities," says Aslaug Rustad, CEO of Oi! Trøndersk Mat og Drikke.

Rustad is based in Trøndelag, which is known as Norway’s leading food region. She works with local producers on a daily basis and has numerous several food festivals during her career. Check out her top five food festival recommendations below.

1. Trøndelag Food Festival, Trondheim Brewery festival and the Norway Seafood Festival

“My personal favourite with more than 150 stands. The festivals take place in the centre of Trondheim in Trøndelag,” says Rustad.

Trøndelag Food Festival and Trondheim Brewery Festival are a party for both grown-ups and children, which are held in Trondheim at the end of July. Here, you can sample food from more than 200 local producers, try freshly brewed beer, join cooking classes, and let the children have a blast. And The Norwegian seafood festival takes place in Trondheim for the first time from 2 to 4 March 2023. Here you will be able to indulge in wonderful ingredients from the sea.

Trøndelag has grown to become one of the most fascinating culinary destinations in Norway and Northern Europe, and was named the official European Region of Gastronomy in 2022.

2. Gladmat food festival, Stavanger

“Here, at one of the leading food festivals in Scandinavia, you can taste food from all corners of the world,” explains Rustad.

The Gladmat festival is held in Stavanger at the end of June. Here, you can sample food from more than 100 stands and producers, and join a variety of activities and festivities. Watch new and well-known chefs compete, enjoy delicious food and drinks, and feel the summer vibes.

Food festival facts

Norwegian food festivals attract a young audience, but are perfect for the whole family. They are very popular — one vegetarian festival in Oslo has welcomed more than 20,000 hungry enthusiasts! Live concerts are often part of the event.

Food festival traditions

The legacy
Food festivals are considered as ancient as harvesting from nature.

An annual tradition
Most of the biggest food festivals are held every year, and are eagerly anticipated among locals and enthusiasts, big and small.

Celebration
A food festival can easily be confused with a party, and many festivals are a true celebration focused on culinary delights. Many well planned festivals also include beverages, and there are also festivals solely devoted to drinks. Make sure you sample all the delights made from Norway's unique fruits and berries!

The future
Food festivals are growing in popularity, boosted by a growing awareness about locally-sourced food and fresh, natural ingredients.

Trondheim brewery festival.
Photo: Oi Trøndersk Mat og Drikke

Brown cheese Matstreif.
Photo: Fredrik Ahlsen, Maverix / Visitnorway.com

Trøndelag food festival.
Photo: Visit Trondheim

Trøndelag food festival.
Photo: Adrian Castillo / Visit Trondheim

A woman serving beverages at the Trondheim brewery festival in Trondheim

Brown cheese being cut at the Matstreif food festival in Oslo

Father and son getting served ice cream at the Trøndelag food festival in Trondheim

Several crates of vegetables at Trøndelag food festival in Trondheim

3. Matstreif food festival, Oslo

“At Matstreif, Norway’s largest food festival, you can try delicious specialities from all over the country,” says Rustad.

The Matstreif festival is held every September at Rådhusplassen in Oslo, where local food and drink producers from all over Norway showcase their finest products.

4. Bergen Food festival

According to Rustad, this festival is “where producers from Fjord Norway meet and sell their own products in a very charming setting.”

Visit the Bergen food festival at the beginning of September in Bergen, and taste the many incredible flavours of Fjord Norway. Here, you will meet local cider and food producers, and sample dishes prepared by talented chefs.

5. Norsk rakfiskfestival, Fagernes

“I love rakfisk (semi-fermented trout), so to me this festival is simply a little piece of heaven on earth,” says Rustad.

The Norwegian Rakfisk Festival is held at the beginning of November in Valdres, and is more than just a food festival. Here, you can enjoy live music, taste excellent locally-sourced food, learn about Norwegian traditions, and have a great time in a friendly and festive atmosphere.

6. Cider and fruit festivals

There are several festivals all over Norway that celebrates the delicious beverages produced in Norway, like the Hardanger International Cider festival, where you can attend seminars and a cider safari, and much more.

The Norwegian apple festival in Telemark is held every year on the last Saturday in September and offers visitors and local residents to really enjoy themselves with walks, exhibitions, floral decorations, concerts, church services, anniversaries, farm shops and much more that the local community has to offer for young and old.

7. The shellfish festival, Mandal

The Shellfish Festival in Mandal is a tradition-rich festival that is constantly developing into the food and culture festival that was envisioned when it started over 30 years ago.

The festival takes place on the second weekend of August every year and during this time the city is filled with restaurant tents, entertainment, concerts, funfair, food market, exhibitors, cookery school for children, WC in shrimp peeling, street food, street musicians, sales stalls and not least fantastic shopping offers in the city's night-open shops and much more!

Food festival facts

Food festival traditions

The legacy
Food festivals are considered as ancient as harvesting from nature.

An annual tradition
Most of the biggest food festivals are held every year, and are eagerly anticipated among locals and enthusiasts, big and small.

The future
Food festivals are growing in popularity, boosted by a growing awareness about locally-sourced food and fresh, natural ingredients.

Festival and event calendar

See what events align with your visit.

OverOslo music festival .
Photo: Christine Blix

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FOOD FESTIVALS
IN NORWAY

A foodie’s guide to Norway’s top 5 food festivals

1. Trøndelag Food Festival, Trondheim Brewery festival and the Norway Seafood Festival

2. Gladmat food festival, Stavanger

3. Matstreif food festival, Oslo

4. Bergen Food festival

5. Norsk rakfiskfestival, Fagernes

6. Cider and fruit festivals

7. The shellfish festival, Mandal

Festival and event calendar

See it for yourself

A culinary city break

Take advantage of top offers

Discover more

Accommodation and ski resorts

Getting Here & Around

Tours & Round trips

Offers

FOOD FESTIVALS IN NORWAY

A foodie’s guide to Norway’s top 5 food festivals

1. Trøndelag Food Festival, Trondheim Brewery festival and the Norway Seafood Festival

Trøndelag Food Festival

Trondheim Brewery Festival

2. Gladmat food festival, Stavanger

Gladmat food festival

3. Matstreif food festival, Oslo

Matstreif food festival

4. Bergen Food festival

Bergen food festival

5. Norsk rakfiskfestival, Fagernes

Norsk rakfiskfestival, Fagernes

6. Cider and fruit festivals

Visit the Fruit Village in Telemark

7. The shellfish festival, Mandal

Skalldyrfestivalen 2023 / MANDAL

Festival and event calendar

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Rakfiskfestivalen in Fagernes

Matstreif food festival in Oslo

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What’s on: events in Norway

Food and drink

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The Norwegian Cookbook

Your guide to the best festivals

FOOD FESTIVALS
IN NORWAY