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Events in Oslo
Oslo has something happening year-round, from major festivals and national celebrations to Christmas markets, food events, and late-night museum openings. Use this guide to quickly figure out what’s on during your dates, what each season typically brings, and the annual highlights worth planning a trip around.
If you want live listings and weekly schedules, start with Oslo’s official event calendars. If you want a smarter way to plan a trip around events, keep reading: we’ll show you the best times to visit, what usually happens each season, and how to build an easy Oslo weekend around it.
Planning your overall trip? Oslo Travel Guide →
Need a ready-made weekend plan? Weekend in Oslo →
For updated schedules: VisitOSLO “What’s on” calendar →
Quick picks (if you’re visiting soon)
Short on time? These quick picks highlight the best events and seasons to aim for if you’re planning a trip to Oslo soon.
- Best annual event: Norwegian Constitution Day (17 May)
- Best festival season: June–August (music festivals, outdoor events, long daylight)
- Best winter atmosphere: Christmas markets + city centre lights (late Nov–Dec)
- Best cultural hack: Museum nights + late openings (year-round)
Why this matters: If you time your trip around one major event week, Oslo feels twice as alive — and the city’s best areas (Sentrum and the waterfront) turn into the main stage.
Prefer planning by season? Oslo by season →
Content
Use this quick table of contents to jump straight to what you need.
What’s on in Oslo right now (how to check)
Oslo’s biggest annual events (year-round highlights)
Christmas in Oslo (markets + lights)
What’s on in Oslo right now (how to check)
If you’re searching for what’s on in Oslo right now, the best approach is to use updated local event calendars. Concert schedules, pop-ups, festivals, and seasonal activities change quickly, so real-time sources matter. Below are the most reliable places to see what’s happening today, this weekend, or during your travel dates.
Best places to find updated events in Oslo
These sources consistently provide the most accurate and up-to-date listings:
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VisitOSLO events calendar (external link)
The most complete overview of events in Oslo, including concerts, festivals, markets, exhibitions, and seasonal highlights. -
Ticketmaster Norway (external link)
Best for major concerts, touring shows, and high-demand events that often sell out. -
Oslo Spektrum (arena events) (external link)
Large-scale concerts, sports events, and international productions. -
Rockefeller / Sentrum Scene (live music venues) (external link)
Two iconic venues for concerts, club nights, and touring artists. -
Museum calendars
Check for temporary exhibitions, late-night openings, and special cultural events.
Pro tip: If you’re visiting for a weekend, check calendars in this order:
VisitOSLO → Ticketmaster → Oslo Spektrum → Rockefeller/Sentrum Scene → museum websites.
Staying central makes events easier → Best areas to stay in Oslo
Oslo’s biggest annual events (year round highlights)
These are Oslo’s biggest recurring events, the ones many visitors plan trips around. If you want your trip to feel more alive, timing your travel dates with one of these highlights can completely change the city’s atmosphere.
Below you’ll find the key annual events to know, plus what to expect and why they are worth planning around.
Norwegian Constitution Day (17 May)
Oslo’s biggest celebration of the year, and one of the most memorable days to visit Norway. Expect flags everywhere, packed streets, parades, and a full day festival feeling along Karl Johans gate and central Oslo.
Oslo Pride (late June)
One of Oslo’s biggest summer highlights. Pride week includes parades, nightlife events, performances, and cultural programming across the city, and it is a top time to see Oslo at peak summer energy.
Øyafestivalen (August)
Oslo’s most iconic music festival, known for major international headliners and strong Nordic lineups. The city feels noticeably busier during the festival period, and accommodation often books out early.
Nobel Peace Prize week (December)
A unique cultural moment connected to the Nobel Peace Prize. Look for exhibitions, talks, and special events, with a refined winter city break feeling that suits travelers who like culture, history, and seasonal atmosphere.
Want the “must do” highlights too? Things to do in Oslo
Oslo events by season
Oslo changes a lot through the year — and so does the event calendar. Use this section to match your travel dates with the right event vibe, whether you’re after festivals and long summer nights or cosy winter city energy.
Events in Oslo in spring (April–May)
Spring is when Oslo wakes up. The city shifts outdoors again, cultural programming ramps up, and you’ll often find more openings, exhibitions, and weekend events as the city builds toward its biggest celebration: Norwegian Constitution Day (17 May).
This is a strong season if you want Oslo with momentum, but without peak-summer crowds.
Events in Oslo in summer (June–August)
Summer is peak event season in Oslo. Expect festivals, outdoor concerts, pop-up food events, and long daylight nights that make the city feel extra alive.
If you want the strongest “Oslo energy”, summer is the safest bet — but it also means higher demand for tickets and accommodation.
Events in Oslo in autumn (September–October)
Autumn is a high-quality culture season. The city becomes more indoor-friendly again, with a strong run of exhibitions, concerts, food events, and cultural weekends.
Best for travellers who prefer museums, food, and city atmosphere over festivals and crowds.
Events in Oslo in winter (November–March)
Winter events in Oslo are built around atmosphere. Think lights, markets, seasonal museum programming, and winter sports culture — plus that classic Scandinavian rhythm of walks, warm indoor stops, and cosy evenings.
If you visit in winter, events often feel more local and less tourist-driven.
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Christmas in Oslo (markets + lights)
Christmas in Oslo is all about lights, cosy streets, seasonal markets, and winter atmosphere — especially from late November through December. Even if you’re not visiting for a specific event, the city feels more festive during this period, with decorated streets and seasonal programming across central Oslo.
Christmas markets in Oslo
Expect seasonal stalls, small gifts, warm drinks, and classic winter vibes in central areas. Christmas markets in Oslo are best treated as an easy add-on to an evening stroll rather than a main attraction.
The simplest approach: combine a short walk, a market visit, and dinner.
City centre lights + winter atmosphere
For the strongest festive feeling, focus on Oslo’s most walkable core. The best Christmas atmosphere is usually around Karl Johans gate, nearby Sentrum streets, and the waterfront areas where city lights reflect off the fjord.
Seasonal food and cosy winter stops
Winter in Oslo is perfect for warm cafés, bakeries, and cosy restaurants. A simple and reliable winter setup:
short evening walk → festive lights → warm food stop → short walk back.
Want the full winter version? Winter in Oslo
Event planning tips (tickets, timing, transport)
Events are one of the easiest ways to level up an Oslo trip — but a few simple planning habits make the difference between smooth and stressful. Think in terms of timing, location, and daily flow, and your days will feel effortless.
| Book early for popular periods | If you’re visiting in summer, during Pride week, festival season, major cultural weekends, or December, it’s wise to lock in tickets and accommodation early. These dates fill up fast and prices tend to rise closer to arrival. |
| Choose a central base | Staying central keeps days simple and flexible. Sentrum, Solli, Teaterkvartalet, and the Opera Area are the most practical event bases, with easy walking access and good public transport. Best areas to stay in Oslo |
| Walk first, transport second | Oslo’s centre is compact. On event days, walking is often faster than short taxi rides. Use metro or tram when distances are longer or when heading outside the core areas. |
| Create a simple event-day flow | Stay central → walk between spots → use public transport only when needed → finish the evening by the waterfront for the best end-of-day atmosphere. Tickets & transport apps |
Oslo events FAQs
What are the biggest annual events in Oslo?
Oslo’s biggest recurring highlights are Norwegian Constitution Day (17 May), Oslo Pride (late June), Øyafestivalen (August), and the Christmas market season in late November and December.
If you’re planning your trip around “Oslo atmosphere”, these dates create the strongest city energy.
What’s the best time to visit Oslo for events?
June to August is peak event season, with festivals, outdoor concerts, pop-ups, and long daylight evenings.
For winter atmosphere, late November to December is the best period for Christmas lights, markets, and seasonal city vibes.
Are there free events in Oslo?
Yes. Many outdoor cultural events, local markets, seasonal celebrations, and community festivals are free.
You can also find free cultural experiences through public events, open-air programming, and museum late openings.
Where should I stay to be close to events?
Stay central to make events effortless. The best bases are Teaterkvartalet, Solli, and the Opera Area (Bjørvika/Barcode).
These areas keep you within walking distance of many venues, restaurants, and evening hotspots.
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