Bysommer
Bysommer is a city-wide summer festival in Oslo from August 6th to 21st, celebrating the city's unique summer vibe.
Events happen at places like SALT, Sentralen, Vippa, and Karpedammen.
There are free cultural events, live acoustic concerts, food gatherings, and family workshops, making it a lively choice for anyone in Oslo.
Bergen Games Festival
This year is the 30th edition of Norway's biggest family game festival, held at the Bergen International Cultural Centre and Torgallmenningen.
Offering a unique mix of board games, interactive shows, and tournaments for all ages, the Bergen Games Festival is already underway and runs until August 9th.
Whether you like chess, card games, quizzes, Lego, Rubik's cubes, Yatzy, Scrabble, or backgammon, there are options for both casual play and competitions.
Langs Akerselva
Langs Akerselva ("Along the Akerselva River") is an outdoor music festival held along Oslo's Akerselva river on August 7th and 8th.
The festival brings live concerts, local food vendors, and a unique atmosphere.
Headline names this year include UK pop group Saint Etienne and US indie-electronic duo Neil Frances, alongside a range of Swedish acts.
Blinkfestivalen
Blinkfestivalen brings top ski athletes to Western Norway for a major roller-skiing and biathlon event from August 5th to 8th.
The competition takes place in Lysebotn, Gjesdal, and Sandnes.
Besides the main races, there are youth competitions, family activities, and free outdoor concerts.
Tromsø Jazz Festival
The Tromsø Jazz Festival is an annual summer festival in Tromsø that brings top jazz acts to Northern Norway from August 6th to 9th, with concerts at several venues in the capital of the Arctic.
The lineup includes folk-jazz, solo piano, and energetic fusion, featuring artists like the Erlend Apneseth Trio, Kjetil Mulelid at Tromsø Cathedral, Elephant9, and Nine Sparks Riots with the Tromsø Big Band.
Olavsfest
Olavsfest (St. Olav's Festival) in Trondheim ends its multi-day celebration of culture, history, and reflection on August 3rd.
This year's theme is "Truth." The festival fills places like Nidaros Cathedral and Borggården with concerts, debates, and family activities.
Oi! FEST - Food and beer festivals in Trondheim
Trondheim hosts the Trøndersk Food Festival and The Brewery Festival from August 6th to 8th.
The Food Festival draws over 200,000 visitors each year with family activities, food tastings, vendor stalls, and lots of local produce.
At the same time, The Brewery Festival brings together more than 30 breweries from Norway and abroad, offering over 350 different brews.
Entry to both festival grounds is free, though special culinary courses and exclusive dinners require separate tickets, and visitors can pre-order passes online to skip the lines.
Øyafestivalen
Øyafestivalen, one of Oslo's biggest music festivals, returns to Tøyenparken from August 12th to 15th.
The festival features international stars like The Cure, Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds, Lily Allen, Sombr, Wilco, Underworld, and Band of Horses, as well as Nordic favourites Dagny and Stig Brenner.
You can choose from weekly or day passes, but tickets for the main days are already sold out or selling out quickly.
The Mela Festival
The Mela Festival comes back to Rådhusplassen in central Oslo from August 14th to 16th.
As one of Europe's biggest multicultural family festivals, it celebrates art, music, food and diversity from around the world.
The free three-day event features international headliners and local collaborations.
Arendalsuka
If you're interested in politics, society, or public debate, Arendalsuka transforms the coastal town of Arendal into Norway's main democracy festival from August 10th to 14th.
Every year during week 33, politicians, NGOs, business leaders, and the public come together for debates, lectures, exhibitions, and cultural events.
All events are free and open to everyone.
Oslo Jazzfestival
The Oslo Jazzfestival celebrates all styles of jazz with a week of concerts across Oslo from August 9th to 15th.
There are free outdoor shows and paid concerts at different venues, but some headline events sell out fast.
Stavanger Chamber Music Festival
The Stavanger Chamber Music Festival explores the theme of "Fairy Tales" in mid-August at historic venues in Stavanger.
Peer Gynt Festival
The Peer Gynt Festival takes place by Lake Gålåvatnet in the Gudbrandsdalen valley, about an hour north of Lillehammer, and celebrates Henrik Ibsen's famous play.
Over nine days, the festival offers 35 events, such as concerts, exhibitions, and lectures.
The main event is an outdoor theatre performance with Edvard Grieg’s music, staged right by the lake.
It remains one of Norway's top summer traditions.
READ MORE: Everything that changes about life in Norway in August 2026
Pstereo
Pstereo, one of central Norway's top music festivals, will happen on the riverbanks of Marinen in Trondheim's city centre on August 21st and 22nd.
This year's lineup features major acts including Skunk Anansie, Lykke Li, Highasakite, Suede, Kurt Vile and the Violators, Marit Larsen, Anna of the North, and deLillos.
You can still buy day passes (1,699 kroner), full festival passes (2,399 kroner), and other ticket options online.
Stavanger Marathon
The Stavanger Marathon on August 29th is a great way for runners and fitness fans to explore the city.
There are races for all levels, including a 5km fun run, half marathon, full marathon, and kids' races. You can still register online.
Oslo Pix Film Festival
Film fans can enjoy the Oslo Pix Film Festival in the capital from August 24th to 30th, featuring top Nordic and international movies in a variety of venues.
Rakettnatt Music & Arts Festival
Rakettnatt takes over Stortorget in central Tromsø for three days of music, art, and street food from August 27th to 29th.
This year's lineup includes Steve Aoki, Undergrunn, BBNO$, Mari Boine, Marit Larsen, and the popular Norwegian duo Broiler.
Utopia Festival
The Utopia Festival wraps up the summer in Rogaland at Bjergstedparken in Stavanger on August 28th and 29th.
As one of Western Norway's top pop and electronic music festivals, it has three stages, a silent disco in the woods, and big names like Steve Aoki, Highasakite, BBNO$, and Ronan Keating.
Concerts
This month, big acts are coming to the capital region.
The Pet Shop Boys bring their Dreamworld: The Greatest Hits Live tour to Unity Arena in Fornebu on August 20th.
Later, The Neighbourhood, an alternative rock band from California, play at the same venue on August 25th.
READ ALSO: Norway's new laws that come into force in August 2026
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