Programme for 17 May in Oslo, Norway

Here is the official 17 May programme for the city of Oslo. See time and place for memorial services, childrens’ parade, conserts and dance performances.

Constitution Day is the national day of Norway and is an official public holiday. On Constitution Day we commemorate the signing of the constitution on the 17th of May 1814. The most important part of the celebration is the children's parade, Barnetoget. The parade in Oslo includes over 110 schools led by brass bands.

The parade attracts a large crowd and most of the city center will be closed for traffic. We advise everyone to travel by foot or public transport.

Most shops and offices are closed, except for cafés and restaurants.

Where to watch the parade

Visitors are not allowed to join the parade but you are more than welcome to join the celebration.

You need a ticket to watch the parade at the square in front of the Royal Palace. The tickets are free, but limited. You can get free tickets for the parade passing the Royal Palace here.

Get tickets here (in Norwegian)

You do not need a ticket to watch the parade from outside the fences on the square.

Programme

Music

  • 07:00: Marching band Oslo Janitsjar plays outside the following churches: Fossum, Paulus and Sinsen.
  • 07:00: Marching band Ruseløkka Janitsjarorkester plays outside the following churches: Frogner and Torshov.
  • 08:00: Marching band Ruseløkka Janitsjarorkester plays outside the following churches: Bekkelaget and Røa.

Memorial services

Torshovparken

  • 08:00: In front of the bust of Fernanda Nissen. Speech by NRK presenter and host of Supernytt, Salamatu Kamara. Music by Torshovkorpset.

Slottsparken

  • 08:00: Statue of Camilla Collett. Speech by illustrator og animator, Nora Dåsnes. Music by Kvindelige Studenters Sangforening.

Vår Frelsers gravlund

The following memorials will have a sign language interpretor present:
Henrik Wergeland (kl. 08:00), Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson, Henrik Ibsen, Viggo Hansteen og Rolf Wickstrøm, og Anna Rogstad.
Interpretor: Magnus Sundgot.

  • 08:00: Ole Vigs grave. Utdanningsforbundet Oslo will lay a wreath.
  • 08:00: Henrik Wergelands grave. Speech by Anne Xuân Mathilde Lu Rots from class 3A at Svarttjern skole. Music by pupils at Svarttjern skole.
  • 08:15: Bjørnstjerne Bjørnsons grave. Speech by theatre manager, actor and director Kjetil Bang-Hansen. Music by Akademisk Korforening and Peblingene. The Slovakian Embassy, Norwegian Slovak Chamber of Commerce and Norsk Slovakisk Forum will lay a wreath. This wreath laying ceremony will include Rikard Nordraaks grave.
  • 08:25: Henrik Ibsens grave. Speech by childrens’ author, actor and presenter Liv Gulbrandsen. Music by Akademisk Korforening and Peblingene.
  • 08:35: Viggo Hansteen and Rolf Wickstrøms joint grave. Speech by former politician and leader of the workers’ union LO, Ingunn Gjerstad. Music by Oslo Håndverker Sangforening.
  • 08:45: Anna Rogstads grave. Speech by author and environmentalist Penelope Lea. Music by Oslo Håndverker Sangforening.
  • 08:45: Henrik Wergelands grave. Speech by Andreas Selikowitz of Det Mosaiske Trossamfund and music by Akademisk korforening and Peblingene. Organised by Jødisk Ungdomsforening and Det Mosaiske Trossamfund.
  • 09:00: Johan Sverdrups grave. Speech and wreath laying ceremony by Ane Breivik. Organised by Oslo Unge Venstre.
  • 09:00: Ivar Aasen Monument. Speech and wreath laying ceremony. Music by Vokal Vivo. Organised by Studentmållaget i Oslo.
  • 09:10: Johan Gottfried Conradis grave. Music and wreath laying ceremony by Oslo Håndverker Sangforening.

Gamlebyen gravlund

  • 08:30: Christian Magnus Falsens grave. Speech by author and publishing editor, Brynjulf Jung Tjønn. Music by Oslo Janitsjar.

Stensparken

  • 08:30: Sigrid Undset’s sculpture. Speech by environmentalist and leader of Natur og Ungdom, Gina Gylver. Music TBA.

Norsk Maritimt Museum – Bygdøy

  • 08:30: Seafarers at War Monument. Speech by historian and academic leader at the Centre for the History of Seafarers at War, Bjørn Tore Rosendahl. Music by Oslo Damekor. Ferry departure from Rådhusbrygga at 08:00. The ferry returns after the wreath laying ceremony.

Akershus Festning

  • 08:00: The National Monument. Wreath laying ceremony by President of the Norwegian Parliament, Masud Gharahkhani. Music by Forsvarets Stabsmusikkorps spiller. “Æresavdeling” from His Majesty the King’s Guard.
  • 08:30: The memorial of the Norwegian Patriots who were shot, at Akershus festning during the war 1940-1945. Speech and wreath laying ceremony by NROF. “Æresavdeling” from His Majesty the King’s Guard.
  • 09:00: The statue of lieutenant general Otto Ruge in Minnelunden. Speech. “Æresavdeling” from His Majesty the King’s Guard.

7. juni-plassen

  • 08:30: Wreath laying ceremony at Kong Haakon VII’s statue by President of the Norwegian Parliament Masud Gharahkhani . “Æresavdeling” og marching band from His Majesty the King’s Guard.

Eidsvolls plass

  • 09:00: The statue of Christian Frederik. Speech and wreath laying ceremony by the President of the Norwegian Parliament Masud Gharahkhani. Music by Kvindelige Studenters Sangforening, pupils fromt Svarttjern skole and Lilleborg skoles.

Krist Kirkegård (Hammersborg)

  • 09:15: Wreath laying ceremony at colonel Kreb’s grave. “Æresavdeling” and marching band from His Majesty the King’s Guard.

The Childrens’ Parade

  • 10:00: The Childrens’ Parade departs from Festningsplassen via Kirkegata to Karl Johans gate.
  • 10:15: The Childrens’ Parade arrives at Stortinget and is greeted by the leader of the 17 of May Committee. Music and song by Forsvarets stabsmusikkorps and Oslo Håndverker Sangforening.
  • 10:30: The Childrens’ Parade arrives at The Royal Castle Slottet and the leader of the 17 of May Committee greets His Majesty the King and the Royal Family. Music and song by Forsvarets stabsmusikkorps and Oslo Håndverker Sangforening.
  • 10:45: The first part of the Childrens’ Parade arrives at Rådhusplassen.
  • 11:45: The first school arrives at Torggata and joins the last school from Festingsplassen in Karl Johans gate. Followed by the schools departing from Youngstorget. Then followed by the schools departing from Stortorget.
  • 12:30: His Majesty The King’s Guards Marching Band finishes the Childrens’ Parade, departing from Stortorget.
  • 13:30: The last schools arrives at Rådhusplassen.

Times may vary, except for the start of the Childrens’ Parade. See the order of the Children’s Parade (in Norwegian)

Salute

  • 12:00: Akershus Festning, salute and ringing of the Liberty Bell.

Church services

  • 09:00: Akershus slottskirke. Service by Nils Terje Lunde, Music by cantor Lars Notto Birkeland, with Tormod Åsgård playing the trumpet. The doors are open from 08:40.
  • 13:00: Oslo domkirke. Service by Valborg Orset Stene. Song by Oslo Domkor with conductor Vivianne Sydnes, and Kåre Nordstoga playing the organ. Open church between 10:00-16:00.

Concerts and dance

  • 09:15: Traditional dance “Leikarring” organised by Bondeungdomslaget i Oslo. From Egertorget to The Royal Castle.
  • 09:55: King’s Guard Drill performace at Universitetsplassen. The guards offers to dance.
  • 13:30: Sagene Janitsjarkorps plays at Rådhusets Borggård.
  • 14:00: Song by Den norske Studentersangforening. Aulatrappen at Universitetsplassen.
  • 15:30: The 17 May Committee consert. Karpedammen Scene at Akershus festning.
  • 18:14: Cobble stone ball and song by Bondeungdomslaget i Oslo. Universitetsplassen.

The 17 May Committee concert

  • 15:30: Free entry to the concert at Karpedammen Scene, Akershus festning.

Music, dance, theatre and song by young talents from schools all over Oslo. Performing with Oslo Symfoniorkester and guest artist Emelie Hollow. More information about the 17 May Committee Concert (in Norwegian)

The scheduled times may vary.