Find your community in Oslo

Ready to connect with others in Oslo?

Whether you're new to Oslo or looking to expand your social circle, there are many ways to connect with others and get involved in local communities.

Oslo offers a wide range of groups and communities where you can meet people, explore interests, and get involved—whether you're into sports, arts, volunteering, or simply making new friends.

Start small by joining one local group, attending one event, or following one account from the list below. Small steps can lead to big connections!

Communities and activity groups

Joining a local group is one of the best ways to meet people and learn more about life in Oslo. Here are some examples of active communities you can explore.

Outdoor and sports groups

If you enjoy being active or spending time in nature, Oslo has plenty of outdoor and sports communities:

• Oslo Hiking and Outdoors – Meet new hiking friends and explore nature together.
• DNT Oslo – The Oslo branch of DNT (Den Norske Turistforening), Norway’s largest outdoor recreation organization, offering hikes, cabins, and nature activities. DNT Oslo also offers regular "international hikes."
• Mikkeller Running Club – Social running meetups with a casual vibe, many English speakers.
• Oslo Rollerderby – Join a fast-paced, inclusive sport.
• Oslo Badstuforening – Oslo's sauna association offering membership and special activities.
• Oslo Dawn Patrol – An early morning cycling group.

Making new friends

Looking to expand your social circle? These groups offer friendship, events, and community:

• Oslo Girl Social – Social events and friendship for women in Oslo.
• New to Oslo – Ask questions, join meetups, and connect with other newcomers.
• Oslo Expat – A space for internationals to share tips and experiences.
• Oslo Girl Gone International (Oslo) – A global network with social events and friendship for women living abroad.
• Sauma Stories – A monthly storytelling night in Oslo. Join to share your story, or just listen!
• Prismatic Pages – Oslo's only English-language bookstore, which also features a book club and events with authors.
• American Women’s Club Oslo – Social and cultural events for American women.
• Dog Friendly Oslo – Meetups and tips for dog owners.
• Skeiv Verden (Queer World) – National interest organization for LGBTQI+ people with minority background that holds events in Oslo.
• Edges & Drinks – Community for black and brown women in the Nordics.
• International MOther and BAby Group Oslo - IMOBAGO 0+ – A supportive network for international mothers.
• Oslo Sykkelkjøkkenet – A DIY bike repair and cycling community.
• Plants on People – Meetups and lessons in embroidery and other crafts.
• Assata – Activist library and printing press for revolutionary literature.

Professional networking & language learning

Oslo offers many opportunities to grow professionally and improve your Norwegian skills while meeting others.

Professional groups & networking

Looking to grow your career or meet others in your field? Oslo has several professional communities where you can network, volunteer, and exchange ideas with like-minded people.

• Global Shapers Oslo – A youth-led initiative for social impact.
• Rotaract Oslo – Young professionals volunteering and networking.
• Sammen om en Jobb - Mentoring program & community for international jobseekers.
• Frivillig.no – Volunteer opportunities across many organizations in Oslo.
• Oslo Business Region – Organizes events and networking opportunities large and small, from regular breakfast meet-ups to the annual Oslo Innovation Week conference.

Conferences and professional events

Some internationals have found luck with networking and even finding volunteer opportunities at some of the larger conferences around Oslo:

• Oslo Innovation Week – A week of talks, workshops, and networking focused on solving global challenges through entrepreneurship and collaboration.

• Katapult Future Fest – A festival-style event exploring tech, impact investing, and the future of society, with speakers, panels, and community dinners.

• Oslo Freedom Forum – A global human rights conference featuring powerful stories from activists and changemakers around the world.

• Diversify Summit – A summit focused on inclusive leadership, innovation, and equity, with speakers and sessions that inspire bold action.

• SHE Conference – Europe’s largest social sustainability conference, offering talks, workshops, and networking around diversity and leadership.

Practice your Norwegian

Improving your language skills is a great way to feel more at home. These groups offer informal and welcoming spaces to practice Norwegian through conversation, activities, and social events.

• Alfaskolen Språkbar – Language café and social learning once a month in the evening at a local bar.
• Språkløpet – Language learning and conversation practice while running!
• Red Cross Språkkafe – Free conversation practice from the Red Cross.
• Caritas Språkkafe & Resurssenter – Language support and other resources for migrants.

You can find these groups and more on Facebook or Meetup.com, and many host regular networking events, social events, workshops, and more.

Get to know the city

• Lysløypa– An book of discounts that helps you explore the city.
• Welcome to Oslo – A project from Oslo kommune (the City of Oslo) for newcomers.
• Visit Oslo – A lot of tips and ideas to get to know the city
• Visit Norway – The official tourism board of Norway, which includes tips for Oslo.
• Expats of Oslopolitan – Instagram page featuring internationals sharing their experiences of living in Oslo.
• Unlock Norway – Instagram page and community for internationals in Norway,
• Mer Av Oslo – Instagram account with Oslo tips on things to do, where to eat, etc. (in Norwegian). They also have an interactive map of things to do in Oslo.
• Bymiljøetaten – The Instagram page of Oslo kommune's Agency for Urban Environment showcasing outdoor public spaces and projects of the city.
• Oslo Kulturnatt – The City of Oslo hosts an annual "culture night" in the autumn where museums, cultural venues, and other institutions organize special activities.

Please note

The groups listed on this page aim to be inclusive and welcoming to all. Many are privately run and not officially affiliated with or endorsed by Oslo kommune.

If you experience discrimination, feel unsafe, or have concerns about any group listed here, please contact us. You can also reach out to request updates or removal of a link.

We strive to keep this page accurate, respectful, and helpful for everyone exploring life in Oslo.