Bergen Events & Public Holidays 2025: What's Happening in Bergen This Year
Be sure to check out my Bergen travel guide, where I put lots of information about what you can see and do in Bergen.
Table of Contents
February 2025
Bergen Seafood Festival (15 February)
Norwegian seafood is at its best in the winter months, so it’s definitely worth timing your winter trip with the Seafood Festival. Throughout the week, various restaurants will highlight special seafood dishes. There are also special days where the chefs will be giving lessons in preparing and cooking different seafood dishes. However, the main day is on the 15th of February, where there will be stalls spread around the fish market with excellent seafood for you to taste.
You can view their website here: https://bergensjomatfestival.no/program-2024/
March 2025
6-9 March: Cine Latino
The first film festival of the year is Cine Latino, which is a meeting place for Latin American culture. They show the best Latin American films but also have dances, food, music, panel discussions, and parties.
View their website here: https://www.cinelatino.no/
12-16 March: Borealis
Borealis is a contemporary music festival with talks, films, literature and visual arts events. The goal of the festival is to discuss music and showcase modern forms of music.
View their website here: https://www.borealisfestival.no/en/home/
April 2025
17, 18, 20, 21 April: Easter
Easter is a big deal in Norway, and on these days expect shops and some restaurants to be closed. If you are driving or taking the train, it’s likely that it’ll be a little more busy as many Norwegians use this time to head to the mountains and go skiing.
26 April: Bergen City Marathon
The Bergen City Marathon is in its 13th year and covers some of Bergen’s most famous places. I recommend getting a copy of the map and doing the trail (but in various stages) as you’ll pass by the best of Bergen.
Practical information: the start and end line is at Bryggen, so it will be difficult to access Bryggen in the morning. Things will calm down after 2pm.
View their website here: https://www.bergencitymarathon.no/en/
May 2025
1 May: Labour Day
This is a public holiday in Norway, so many shops will be closed. There will also be demonstrations and marches throughout the day.
17 May: Constitution Day
This is the most important day in Norway. If you are in Norway on this day, don’t bother planning any activities. Instead, go and watch the parades and enjoy the huge party.
Practical information: The city will be absolutely packed until early afternoon, so don’t expect to be able to explore Bergen until then. It’s near impossible to get around!
21 May – 4 June: Bergen International Festival
The Bergen International Festival (called ‘Festspillene’ in Norwegian) is the largest arts festival we have in Bergen. There are over 150 events ranging from music to dance, opera to visual art, and so on. Many of the big events sell out in advance, so be sure to get online and book early.
23 – 31 May: Natt Jazz
Natt Jazz is the longest jazz festival in Northern Europe. The main festival area is an old sardine factory, USF Verftet (United Sardines Factory), which now contains several concert venues plus exhibitions, theatre, cinema and artist studios.
The music profile of Nattjazz spans through a wide range of styles, with a main focus on modern jazz. During Nattjazz the borderlines between jazz, rock, ethno and electronica are explored and often wiped out. The children also get their share!
26 May 2025: 7 Mountain Hike Day
This is an important event for many locals, and you’ll see the city is extra busy on this day. Basically, it’s a seven mountain fun run that covers approximately 30km. The route covers Bergen’s seven mountains. If it’s too much, you can do the three or five mountain hike instead.
29 May: Ascension Day
This is a public holiday in Norway.
31 May 2025: Bergen to Voss Cycle Race
This popular cycling race will draw a lot of people into the city. The route is 170km and goes from Bergen to the ski resort in Voss.
June 2025
1-8 June: Bergen Gay Pride
The “Rainbow Days” (Regnbuedagene”) is a week-long festival with various events to promote gay pride in the city, including panel discussions and debates, concerts, art shows, and film screenings. The parade takes place on the 8th of June.
8 June: Pentecost
This is a public holiday in Norway
9 June: Whit Monday
This is a public holiday in Norway.
11-14 June: Bergenfest
Bergenfest is the largest music festival of the year, and the fortress area will be closed off during the festival. You can buy day tickets or festival passes if you wish to attend.
July 2025
30 July – 2 August: Beyond the Gates
Beyond the Gates is Bergen’s metal music festival. The festival takes place across various locations in Bergen and draws fans from all over the world. During this time, expect to see a lot of metalheads walking around Bergen. There’s also different events on metal culture, including guided tours, art displays, and a tattoo festival.
August 2025
22-23 August: Feelings Festival
Feelings Festival is Bergen’s newest music festival. This outdoor festival takes place at Bergenhus Fortress and has pop, hip-hop and EDM music. The fortress area will be closed during the festival.
September 2025
5-6 September: Bergen Food Festival
This is a beloved event in the city, where farmers and businesses from the fjord region descend into Bergen to promote their products. You’ll find food stalls where you can buy local foods straight from the small business owner.
At Festplassen you’ll find a marketplace of various foods including vegetables, fruits, verries, cheeses, meats and seafood.
The festival also hosts the Norwegian Cider Festival at the ‘cider park’ (adjacent to Festplassen). You can try cider from around the country as well as other local beverages, including local beers, gins, and aquavit.
Additionally, over 30 restaurants will adjust their menus to promote local ingredients.
12-13 September: Bergen Beer Festival
The Bergen Beer Festival is an excellent time to sample various microbreweries from across Norway. The Beer Festival is held at USF Verftet.
October 2025
15-23 October: Bergen International Film Festival
The Bergen International Film Festival is one of Norway’s largest film festivals. The main focus are documentary films from around the world, but you can also catch fictional and short films here. Various cinemas are used around the city.
November 2025
Mid-November to the End of December: Gingerbread Village
The World’s Largest Gingerbread Village (“Pepperkakebyen”) is built in Bergen for the period from mid-November until the end of December. It’s one of the most popular places to visit over the Christmas period.
Mid-November: Lysfest
The Festival of Lights (“Lysfest”) takes place around mid-November every year and it is the event where the Christmas tree is lit in Bergen. There’s also live music, entertainment, and a fireworks display.
Mid-November – Mid December: Christmas Market
The Christmas Market is held annually in Bergen every year from around mid-November until just before Christmas. Here you’ll find stalls to buy handicrafts and try local foods as well as typical Christmas foods. There are also some rides for kids.
December 2025
25 December: Christmas Day
This is a public holiday in Norway.
26 December: St. Stephens Day
This is a public holiday in Norway.
