Hurray! It’s 17 May

Brazilians have their carnival, the Irish Saint Patrick’s Day. Norway’s answer? On 17 May we are commemorating the signing of the constitution on that date in 1814. In Norway, the Constitution Day is huge.

Dynamic Variation:

Children’s parades then take place across the country, and led by marching bands they walk through their communities. The largest of the traditional parades attract tens of thousands of people waving flags and shouting “hurra!”. In Oslo, the parade is greeted by the royal family who are waving tirelessly to the crowds from the Royal Palace balcony.

Dynamic Variation:

17 May breakfast.
Photo: Merethe Foap / Visitnorway.com

Constitution Day explained

The Constitution of Norway was passed unanimously by the Eidsvoll Assembly on 16 May 1814 and signed the next day.

The celebrations began spontaneously amongst students and others from early on, but as Norway was in a union with Sweden, King Karl Johan of Sweden and Norway banned the festivities between 1820 and 1829.

The first public address was held in 1833 by Norwegian poet Henrik Wergeland, and from then on 17 May has been celebrated as Norway’s national day.

From 1870, the day became more established with the first children’s parade in Christiania (now Oslo), an initiative taken by the author Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson, who also wrote the national anthem “Ja, vi elsker dette landet”.

All over Norway, children’s parades form the central element of the celebrations, with school marching bands and an abundance of flags.

The longest parade is in Oslo where about 100,000 people participate in the main festivities in the city centre. The parade includes some 100 schools and passes the Royal Palace where the royal family greet everybody from the balcony. The parade is broadcast on national television.

Dynamic Variation:

The russ have their own parades, with buses and vans with expensive and rather loud sound systems. Ask them for a “russekort”, and you will get their personal calling card containing personal info and more or less funny jokes.

This is a truly special time to be in Norway, and you should join the locals in their celebration. And whilst most shops and offices are closed that day, you should definitely book a table in advance if you want to go out for lunch or dinner.

Dynamic Variation:

A glimpse of Norway’s national day

Constitution Day explained

The Constitution of Norway was passed unanimously by the Eidsvoll Assembly on 16 May 1814 and signed the next day.

The celebrations began spontaneously amongst students and others from early on, but as Norway was in a union with Sweden, King Karl Johan of Sweden and Norway banned the festivities between 1820 and 1829.

The first public address was held in 1833 by Norwegian poet Henrik Wergeland, and from then on 17 May has been celebrated as Norway’s national day.

From 1870, the day became more established with the first children’s parade in Christiania (now Oslo), an initiative taken by the author Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson, who also wrote the national anthem “Ja, vi elsker dette landet”.

All over Norway, children’s parades form the central element of the celebrations, with school marching bands and an abundance of flags.

The longest parade is in Oslo where about 100,000 people participate in the main festivities in the city centre. The parade includes some 100 schools and passes the Royal Palace where the royal family greet everybody from the balcony. The parade is broadcast on national television.

Dynamic Variation:

Find a restaurant near you

17 May is a big day for restaurants in Norway. Many Norwegians celebrate by going out to eat. It is therefore wise to make reservations if you plan to eat out this day.

Places to go

Cities and places

Things to do

Plan your trip

Norway’s national day

A glimpse of Norway’s national day

A glimpse of Norway’s national day

Find a restaurant near you

Read more