LET IT (SUN)SHINE!

Welcome to What’s On Oslo in July and August, when the heady days of the intense Nordic summer really hit their stride (hopefully!).

July and to a certain extent August are the main months of summer holidays for many people that live in Norway. July is fellesferien, which means “the common holiday”.

It is a time of trips to forest, mountain and seaside cabins called hytter, and the spread of sun and adventure hungry Norwegians across the globe.

If Oslo seems a bit empty, it is probably because the people are hanging out in their cabins or exploring beaches in Italy, or ruined Inca cities in Peru.

The capital offers both fantastic nature and city experiences, and July and August are perfect for exploring both.

From leafy parks and urban beaches to mighty forests and beautiful islands surrounded by black-blue water in the Oslo fjord, the possibilities are many. Oslo is also a major cultural hub, and in this issue, you will find the city’s official Museum Guide to all the exhibitions and events happening in July and August.

A hot tip is the National Museum, which last year finally reopened after several years, in a huge new purpose built building near the fjord in the city centre.

The Nordic region’s biggest National Museum boasts Norway’s largest collections of art, architecture and design. Just a few examples are works by famous artists like Edvard Munch (including The Scream) and Lousie Bourgeois, drawings from the time of Bruegel and Rubens, and a fine collection of Sámi art from the north.

There are lots of other exiting museums all over town, such as Fram - the Polar Exploration Museum, The Viking Planet, works and artefacts from the Royal Collections in the Queen Sonja Art Stable, Norwegian Museum of Cultural History, and the wonderful International Museum of Children’s Art in a cozy wooden house!

Near the end of the magazine, we have maps to help you find your way around town.

Enjoy! Team What’s On Oslo

Museum of the year 2023

The Norwegian Museums Association

Explore 4.5 billion years of natural history