Norway prepares for May 17th. We checked the celebration programs in the largest cities
On May 17th, Norway celebrates its national holiday, Grunnlovsdagen – Constitution Day. It is one of the country’s most distinctive festivities: joyful, family-oriented, and highly visible in public spaces. From early morning, orchestras can be heard in cities and towns, streets fill with children, flags, bunads, and shouts of "hurra!", and many residents start the day with a festive breakfast.
May 17th
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Norwegians celebrate May 17th because on this day in 1814, the constitution was dated and signed at Eidsvoll. The document was adopted the day before, on May 16th, and on May 17th it was signed and Christian Frederik was chosen as King of Norway. That is why the holiday is also called Constitution Day.
Unlike many other national holidays, May 17th in Norway is not associated with military parades, but above all with children. The barnetog, or children's parade, is one of the most important symbols of the day. The tradition of the royal greeting to the children's parade in Oslo from the balcony of the Royal Palace dates back to King Haakon VII and 1906.
What will happen on May 17th, 2026?
Below we have gathered the celebration programs in selected Norwegian cities. Please note that details may still change, so it is best to check the latest information on the websites of municipalities and local May 17th committees before heading out.
Oslo: the largest children's parade and concerts in the city center
The day in the capital will start early. From the morning, choral music, orchestra performances, and traditional ceremonies are planned in various parts of the city. The main highlight of the celebrations will be the barnetoget, the children's parade, which will pass through the center of Oslo.
- From 7:00 AM Choral music and orchestra performances, e.g. at Fossum, Paulus, Sinsen, Frogner, and Torshov churches.
- 8:00–9:25 AM Traditional wreath-laying ceremonies at various locations in the city, combined with speeches and music.
- 10:00 AM–1:30 PM Barnetoget, the main children's parade.
- 10:00 AM Oslo Seilforening boat parade. Boats will depart from the area around Huk and sail past Sørenga, Vippetangen, and Aker Brygge.
- 12:00 PM Ringing of the Liberty Bell at Akershus Fortress.
- 1:00 PM Cannon salute.
- Afternoon and evening The program also includes holiday services, a concert at Egertorget, a performance by the Royal Guard at Universitetsplassen, a concert in Borggården, and the Brusteinsball at 6:14 PM.
Bergen: processions, boat parade, and family attractions at Torgallmenningen
Bergen traditionally celebrates May 17th very intensively. The official program is prepared by the local May 17th committee. The city will host processions, a boat parade, ceremonies with speeches, and family attractions in the city center.
- Morning Morning procession, wreath-laying, and ceremonies in various parts of the city.
- 9:45 AM Participants in the main procession should gather at Koengen.
- 10:15 AM The main procession should be ready to start.
- 10:30 AM Cannon salute from Skansen and the start of the main procession. At the same time, the boat parade on Byfjorden will start from Hilleren.
- 10:40 AM The flag parade (flaggtoget) will depart from Festplassen, heading in the opposite direction to the main procession.
- From 12:45 PM Ceremonial event at Vikingskipet with speeches and music.
- 1:30–8:30 PM Family program at Torgallmenningen.
Practical information: Bergen city center will be partially closed to car traffic from 7:00 AM to midnight. Skyss will provide extra Bybanen and bus services, and free water points will be set up in the city.
Trondheim: folkemøte at Torvet and rules for parade participants
In Trondheim, one of the main highlights of the celebrations will be the folkemøte at Torvet. The city announces that speeches and songs will be translated into sign language and displayed as text on a screen and on your phone after scanning a QR code. An induction loop will also be available.
- Throughout the day Parades, local ceremonies, and May 17th events in the city.
- 2:45 PM Folkemøte at Torvet.
The Torvet meeting program includes, among others: a welcome by the May 17th committee chair Nina Westad, communal singing, a speech for the king delivered by Amalie Lesund from Huseby ungdomsskole, a performance by male choirs, and the day's main speech by Ole Martin Hafsmo.
Important rules for participants: Trondheim reminds that political slogans, advertisements, alcohol, and other intoxicants are prohibited in the parade and public spaces, as well as elements considered offensive or dangerous.
Stavanger: barnetog at Eiganes, folketog at Storhaug
This year, the parades in Stavanger will be organized a bit differently: the barnetog will go through Eiganes, and the folketog through Storhaug. The city also encourages checking local events at schools in different districts.
- 8:00 AM Flag raising at the swimming pool building.
- From 8:00 AM Ceremonies and wreath-laying, e.g. at Eiganes gravlund.
- Throughout the day The barnetog, or children's parade, will pass through Eiganes. Local events will also take place at schools in various districts.
- 1:00 PM Cultural event at the cathedral. The program includes a speech by Mayor Tormod W. Losnedal, a dance performance by the Eritrean group, the Hurraprisen award ceremony, a performance by Mareike Wang, and participation by the Showakademiet children's choir.
- 1:45 PM Stavanger storband concert at Torget.
- 4:00 PM Start of the folketog at Storhaug.
The parade route will pass through, among others, Olav Vs gate, Jernbaneveien, Lagårdsveien, Kirkegårdveien, Paradissvingen, Avaldsnesgata, and Pedersgata, ending at Nytorget. The parade will include, among others, Oilers, Viking Fotballklubb, and sports, cultural, and international organizations.
Tromsø: celebration with a youth focus
This year, the May 17th celebrations in Tromsø will also be linked to the fact that the city is the European Youth Capital 2026. The committee announces that young people will play a significant role in the program – youth will deliver some of the speeches, and the concert at Stortorget after the folketog will also have a youth-oriented character.
- 8:45 AM Fredsmarkering at Rambergan, a ceremony in memory of war victims.
- 10:15 AM Assembly of skoletoget at Kongsbakken videregående skole.
- 10:45 AM Program in the school courtyard.
- 11:00 AM Start of skoletoget.
- 1:00 PM Småbarnstoget, a parade for the youngest children with their parents.
- 4:00 PM Assembly of the folketog.
- 4:30 PM Start of the folketog.
After the folketog, a youth-oriented concert is planned at Stortorget.
Kristiansand: program in Kvadraturen, districts, and parade competitions
Kristiansand has published the May 17th, 2026 program, which includes events in Kvadraturen and districts, parking information, assembly of school and civic parades, wreath-laying, and events at schools.
- Morning and before noon May 17th ceremonies, wreath-laying, and local events at schools and in districts.
- Throughout the day Skoletoget, the school parade. This year, the best school in the singing competition will be chosen during the parade.
- Later in the program Borgertoget, the civic parade. Participants will be judged for creativity, among other things.
Special highlight: In 2026, the city flag in the borgertoget will be carried by Katrine Lunde, a former professional handball player and one of the most famous sportswomen from Kristiansand.
Drammen: folketog crosses the new Bybrua for the first time
This year’s celebration in Drammen will feature a unique highlight: the folketog will cross the new Bybrua for the first time. Not only organizations, clubs, and associations can participate, but also unaffiliated residents – they are invited to join at the end of the parade.
- From the morning Music, flags, and local May 17th ceremonies.
- 8:00 AM Salute from Holmenokken.
- 10:00 AM Start of the barnetog after gathering at Marienlyst stadium.
- 1:30 PM Gathering of folketog participants at Tollbugata by Strømsø torg.
- 1:45 PM Start of the folketog.
The parade route will cross the new Bybrua, then Øvre Storgate, St. Olavs gate, and Øvre Torggate, ending at Bragernes torg.
At Bragernes torg: Stage program with speeches, performances, international dance and music highlights, and a performance by Andreas Harket.
Ålesund: 7:00 AM salute and parade through the city center
Celebrations in Ålesund will start very early. A May 17th salute, flag raising, and musical 'wake-up call' by orchestras are planned for the morning.
- 7:00 AM May 17th salute, flag raising, and musical start of the day by orchestras.
- Morning Wreath-laying at Borgund church and a memorial ceremony at Øvre gravlund.
- From 9:30 AM Assembly of the main parade in the city center.
- 9:50, 9:55, and 10:00 AM Salutes before the parade sets off.
- 10:00 AM Start of the main parade through the city center.
The route will go through, among others, Kirkegata, Apotekertorget, Hellebroa, Notenesgata, St. Olavs plass, Løvenvoldbakken, Storgata, Kipervikgata, Rådstugata, Røysegata, and Borgundvegen, ending at Utstillingsplassen.
Outside the city center: The holiday will also be celebrated in other parts of the municipality, including Ona, Sandøy, Skodje, Sjøholt, and the Skarbø and Vaksvik areas.
How to prepare for May 17th?
The most important things are comfortable shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, and planning your transport in advance. In many cities, the centers are closed to traffic, and buses and trams run on holiday schedules or with extra services. It's also worth bringing a small flag, something for the rain, and patience – there will be crowds in the centers of the largest cities.
For Poles living in Norway, May 17th is a great opportunity to see Norwegian culture at its most joyful. You don’t need to know all the songs or traditions to join the celebrations. Just show up along the parade route, watch the barnetog, try some ice cream or pølse, and shout together with everyone: Gratulerer med dagen!
Gratulerer med dagenMojaNorwegia
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