Things to do
Things to do in Oslo
Norway's capital between fjord and forest: the walkable opera roof, the Munch museum, Viking ships — and the Holmenkollen ski jump watching over it all.
Photos for Oslo are still on their way. Every listing below is real.
Top things to do in Oslo
The fjord capital: opera roof, Viking ships, and Holmenkollen.
- Oslo Opera House — Snøhetta's marble roof: walk it — the fjord panorama is free, the building is the attraction.
- MUNCH — The 13-storey Munch museum on the waterfront: the Scream (1910 version), the vast collection.
- Viking Ship Museum (Bygdøy) — The Oseberg and Gokstad ships: the world's best-preserved Viking ships. (Check current display status during the museum's rebuild.)
- Holmenkollen — The ski jump and museum: the city panorama, the ski simulator, the national symbol.
- Vigeland Park (Frogner) — The world's largest sculpture park by one artist: 200+ Vigeland bronzes and granites — free.
- Aker Brygge & Tjuvholmen — The waterfront dining and the Astrup Fearnley modern art museum.
- Nobel Peace Center — The peace prize exhibition by the harbour.
Free things to do in Oslo
Oslo is generous if your budget isn't. All of these cost nothing or close to it:
- Opera roof — The walkable roof: free.
- Vigeland Park — The sculpture park: free.
- Harbour promenade (Havnepromenaden) — The 9 km waterfront walk: free.
- Ekebergparken — The sculpture park with the fjord view: free.
- Akershus Fortress (grounds) — The fortress grounds: free.
Festivals & the religious calendar
The town's own festivals:
- Constitution Day (17 May) (17 May) — Syttende mai: the children's parades, the bunads, the palace balcony — Norway's biggest day, huge in Oslo.
- Øyafestivalen (August) — The green music festival at Tøyenparken: big names, the city's summer peak.
- Nobel Peace Prize (10 December) — The prize ceremony and the torch parade — the December spotlight.
- Christmas market (Jul i Vinterland) (late November–December) — The Spikersuppa market by the National Theatre.
And the national calendar:
Exact dates are confirmed yearly — check local listings before booking around a festival.
Sports: Winter sports
Oslo's sport is winter: Holmenkollen (the ski jump, the world's most famous), the cross-country trails of Nordmarka starting at Frognerseteren, the Biathlon World Cup. Football: Vålerenga (the city's club) at the Intility Arena; the derby vs Lillestrøm is the fixture.
The Bislett Games (Diamond League athletics, June) fill the historic stadium. Sailing on the fjord in summer; the Oslo Marathon (September).
Tickets: official site
What's new in Oslo
The waterfront (Bjørvika) keeps adding museums and promenades. The Viking Ship Museum's rebuild affects displays — check status. Constitution Day (17 May) books the city out.
Submit your event
Running something in town? Dayfari lists community events free — gigs, markets, fundraisers, club nights, temple and church programmes. Submit your event and it can appear in the town feed within a day. No account needed to suggest; the Dayfari team reviews every submission.
Common questions
How many days do I need in Oslo?
Two full days covers the highlights above. Add a third for the day trips — see our day-trips guide.
What can I do in Oslo for free?
Plenty — see the free list above. The town's festivals and markets are the other great free shows.
When is the best time to visit Oslo?
Time it for a festival if you can — the calendar above is the cheat sheet. Otherwise, the shoulder seasons dodge the crowds.
More to explore in Oslo
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