Top 10 Must-Experience Festivals in Norway
From coastal celebrations to mountain concerts and cultural pilgrimages, these 10 festivals offer Norway’s most memorable experiences for travelers and festival lovers alike.
Chosen based on cultural impact, unique setting, genre diversity, visitor popularity, and inclusion by VisitNorway.com.
Tysnesfest – Tysnes
When: Mid-July
Where: Våge, Tysnes (Sunnhordland)
A fjordside music celebration with carnival rides, family-friendly events, market days, and concerts from Norwegian icons and international stars like Tom Jones. From pop and rock to folk and hip hop, Tysnesfest’s floating stages and festival harbor make it a must-see gem on Norway’s festival map.
Route from Bergen to Tysnesfest (Google Maps)
Øya Festival – Oslo
When: August
Where: Tøyenparken, Oslo
Norway’s biggest urban music festival, Øya delivers four full days of indie, rock, electronic, and hip hop in Oslo’s central park. It features global headliners, local favorites, sustainable food courts, and citywide club nights. The lineup spans Arctic Monkeys to Sigrid — with vibes as fresh as the summer breeze off Oslofjord.
Gladmat Festival – Stavanger
When: Late June
Where: Stavanger City Centre
Scandinavia’s largest food festival, Gladmat welcomes over 250,000 visitors for four days of culinary exploration. Chefs, producers, and food lovers gather to showcase seafood, street eats, gourmet dishes, and innovations in Nordic cuisine. Look out for tasting trails, cooking demos, and the vibrant kids' zone “Barnas Gladmat.”
Riddu Riđđu Festival – Manndalen
When: Mid-July
Where: Gáivuotna – Northern Troms
Celebrating Indigenous identity and global solidarity, Riddu Riđđu features concerts, art, literature, joik (Sámi traditional song), and youth camps — all in a coastal village framed by mountains. Expect intimate performances, cultural exchange, and meaningful discussions that invite you into Sámi life and global Indigenous arts.
Vinjerock – Jotunheimen
When: Mid-July
Where: Eidsbugarden, Valdres
Set among glaciers and peaks in one of Norway’s most majestic national parks, Vinjerock pairs indie and folk concerts with mountain hikes, yoga, and eco-workshops. Named for poet Aasmund Olavsson Vinje, it’s a soulful escape where nature and music meet at 1060 meters above sea level.
Bergen International Film Festival (BIFF) – Bergen
When: October
Where: Bergen Kino & USF Verftet
BIFF is Norway’s biggest film festival, presenting 150+ films from around the world. Its program features global documentaries, fiction, shorts, and research cinema, alongside debates and director Q&As. It’s a cinematic deep-dive into art, politics, science, and society — all in the heart of Bergen.
Ice Music Festival – Ål / Greenland
When: February (Norway) / March (Greenland)
Where: Ål, Hallingdal & Ilulissat Icefjord
Founded by Terje Isungset, this surreal festival features instruments, stages, and art made entirely from ice and snow. Concerts are held under moonlight in Arctic landscapes, often at UNESCO sites. The Greenland Sessions take place beside the Ilulissat Icefjord, merging music, climate science, and glacial beauty. Expect ice horns, ice drums, and meditative performances that let nature speak through sound.
Ekstremsportveko – Voss
When: Last week of June
Where: Voss, Western Norway
The world’s largest extreme sports and music festival, Ekstremsportveko hosts competitions in skydiving, rafting, paragliding, longboarding, climbing, and more. Athletes and adventurers gather for a week of adrenaline and community, capped off with concerts, parties, and cultural events. It’s Norway’s wildest week — and a must for thrill-seekers and festival lovers alike.
Trænafestivalen – Træna
When: Early July
Where: Træna Archipelago, Helgeland Coast
Held on remote islands 33 nautical miles out to sea, Trænafestivalen is Norway’s most scenic music festival. Concerts take place in caves, churches, and under the midnight sun — with boat raves, seafood feasts, and a lineup that blends pop, folk, and electronic. It’s a cultural pilgrimage to the edge of the world.
Rakfisk Festival – Fagernes
When: First weekend of November
Where: Fagernes, Valdres
Dedicated to Norway’s iconic fermented trout, the Rakfisk Festival is a massive food celebration with over 100 local producers, tastings, concerts, and craft stalls. It’s a folk festival with flavor — drawing 30,000+ visitors to the heart of Valdres for rakfisk, aquavit, and dancing in heated tents.