Your Guide To The Best Summer Festivals In Northern Norway

Norway’s festival game is strong – regardless of the season. But summertime comes with the added bonus of festival-friendly weather and a never-setting sun. This is particularly true in northern Norway, where the cold weather and lack of sunlight can be quite harsh the rest of the year. So get your festival mood on and head north: we’ve gathered all the events you shouldn’t miss this summer.

Riddu Riđđu Festival

Where: Gáivuona / Kåfjord municipality in Troms
When: July 12-15
Its name means, “little storm on the coast” in Sami. Riddu Riđđu Festival is an international indigenous festival that celebrates Sami culture, taking place every July for 25 years. The diverse program includes everything from concerts, performances and films to workshops and literature. There is a camping ground, so that you can have a more authentic experience of the Sami way of life.

Hamsundagene

Nordland Musikkfestuke

Where: Bodø
When: August 3-12

Nordland Music Festival has been taking place in Bodø, the capital of Nordland county, since 1980. The festival week, which is held in various indoor and outdoor venues all around the city, celebrates the best of classical music – but also features other music genres such as jazz and folk.

Viking Festival

Where: Bøstad, Vestvågøya, Lofoten
When: August 8-12

Lofotr Museum is a must stop any time of the year, if you’re interested in retracing the steps of Vikings. At the excavation area, you will find the largest Viking house ever uncovered – as well as reconstructed areas that will make you feel you’re starring in a Vikings episode. Every August, they host a Viking festival with era-appropriate activities such as Viking ship sailing, fighting games, a market and much more.

Verket Music Festival

Where: Mo I Rana, Nordland
When: August 24-25

This outdoor music festival is on its tenth year, and the idyllic surroundings is just one of the reasons people keep coming back, year after year. With international names such as Travis on its lineup, seems like 2018 will be one of the best years yet.

Arctic Sea Kayak Race

Where: Bø and Skipnes, Vesterålen, Lofoten
When: July 22-28

Starting from Fjordcamp Kråkberget in Bø in Vesterålen, Arctic Sea Kayak Race will have you exploring the area by sea and spending time at the fishing village of Skipnes in Lofoten. Also dubbed “the world’s most beautiful kayak festival”, ASKR involves activities for all levels of experience – so if you’re a beginner when it comes to kayaking, you can still go and have fun.

Getting ready for the Arctic Sea Kayak Race

Buktafestivalen

Where: Tromsø
When: July 19-21

With the motto “rock, beer & seafood in the Arctic”, you know you’ll have a good time at Bukta. This annual rock festival, which has taken place in Tromsø for the last fifteen years, explores all the different facets of rock music (from indie to metal), both Norwegian and global. On this year’s lineup, you’ll find iconic artists like Sivert Høyem.

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