Amazing events
While it can sometimes feel like the social calendar winds down towards the end of summer and people hunker down for the colder months, there is plenty of reason to be optimistic about the autumn in Oslo.
The city will still host numerous great events, both indoors and outdoors. One way to stay up to date on what’s happening in Oslo over the next few months is to look for our monthly updates on the best events.
Among the autumn highlights is the moonlit culture night along the Akerselva. Some 4,000 torches are lit along the river, and more than 100 cultural performances, from live music to art installations, are completely free to enjoy.
This event is held on the Thursday closest to autumn equinox, and wouldn’t be possible without the shorter days.
By: Larm and Ultima are two music festivals that take place during the autumn, while the Film fra Sør film festival is typically held in November, too.
A chance to experience world-class museums
Given that Oslo's weather can’t always be relied upon, it’s no surprise that most people try to spend as much time as possible outdoors during the summer.
The cooler temperatures should provide plenty of encouragement to take refuge in one of the cities many wonderful museums.
Two of Norway’s most beloved museums, the Fram and Kon-Tiki museums, are located opposite one another on the Bygdøy peninsula. Both focus on famous expeditions.
Not all the museums in Norway are nautical-themed. There are also two fantastic, newly built galleries, the Munch Museum and the National Museum. Both galleries have versions of Edvard Munch’s world-famous Scream, but the more coveted version is in the national gallery.
There are more than 50 museums in and around Oslo, so we can’t mention them all, but the Vigeland Museum, Norwegian Museum of Science and Technology, Noble Peace Centre, Norway’s Resistance Museum, and Museum of Oslo are all worthy of a visit.
Some museums off the beaten path include the Vigeland Mausoleum and the interactive Popsenteret music museum.
Good time to enjoy the nature
If you’re more inclined to fresh air, the city remains a great place to be in the autumn. Vigeland Park, the Botanical Garden, and Eckersberg Park are both worth a visit when the leaves begin to turn orange.
Songsvann is great for an autumnal walk or run, and trips down the Akerselva give things a more urban feel.
The hiking season should extend until the first snow starts to fall.
While you’ll need a bit of planning to make sure you don’t get left in the dark, there are plenty of spots like Vettakollen, Frognerseteren, and Grefsenkollen that can be easily accessed with public transport and connect to plenty of great hiking trails suitable for all levels of fitness.
READ MORE: Six great nature spots in Oslo you can reach with public transport
Cosy cafes and bars
While it may take you a while to find them, Oslo is home to plenty of fantastic restaurants, cafés and bars.
Given the weather, a cosy setting will be the priority. Håndbakt Oslo, Neongrut, Kiosk Kaffebar, Oslo Raw, Tim Wendelboe, and Fuglen are all great places to enjoy a great coffee, warm atmosphere, and fantastic baked goods.
If you’re looking for something warm and comforting to eat, try San Francisco Breadbowl, Koie Ramen, or some traditional Norwegian food. While Norway’s cuisine doesn’t attract much praise worldwide, it's certainly hearty and perfect for when the weather turns.
If you are after something stiffer than a coffee, Bruun Larsen, Schouskjelleren, Nektar Vinbar, Grünerløkka Brygghus, and Izykaya are ideal locations for a drink.
There are still plenty of reasons to stay social
If some of the excursions we suggested aren’t enough to invite a friend out for the day, then there are plenty of great reasons to socialise during the autumn.
Should you need inspiration or want to try something new, then fret not there is still plenty of other reasons to ask someone to hang out.
There are plenty of game bars in the cities which let you get in from the cold and where the activity takes some of the pressure of socialising.
Norway’s chess superstar Magnus Carlsen has helped make the sport more popular. Oslo is home to the “chess bar” The Good Knight, which also offers other board games.
Oche has smart dart boards that do all the boring maths for you and allows several different darts games to be played. Tilt has you covered for arcade games, while Røør has 14 shuffle board tables. There’s also minigolf at Oslo Camping – which can be good for both families and adults.
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