Norway public holidays 2026 — official holidays + flag days

Thursday, January 1

New Year’s Day is the first day of the calendar year and a statutory holiday under §2 of the Public Holidays and Holiday Peace Act. Practically all Norwegians have the day off; shops, banks and government offices are closed. The Norwegian flag is flown at full mast. The day is used for family visits, long ski trips, fjord swims (the New Year’s plunge is popular in many coastal cities), or simply rest after the New Year celebration. Many watch the New Year’s Concert from Vienna on TV. Norwegian channels also broadcast Holmenkollen relay and ski-jump events from late December through mid-January.

Thursday, April 2

Maundy Thursday commemorates Jesus’ Last Supper with his disciples before the crucifixion. It is a statutory holiday under §2 and a paid day off for practically all employees. The day is not a flag day, but church services are held in most parishes. For many Norwegians, Maundy Thursday marks the start of the Easter holiday and the påskefjell (Easter mountain) tradition — cabins fill up, skis are packed, and the mountains call. Easter is one of the most important family holidays of the year — the reason Norway practically shuts down from Maundy Thursday through Easter Monday.

Friday, April 3

Good Friday commemorates the crucifixion and death of Jesus and is a statutory holiday — one of the "quietest" days of the year in Norway, with strict rules for public events under the Holiday Peace (§3). Most shops and restaurants are closed. The Norwegian flag flies at half-mast from morning until 11:00 AM, then at full mast for the rest of the day — the only flag day of the year with this practice. Capital churches hold long Good Friday services with passion music (Bach’s St. Matthew Passion is the classic). Many are still on the Easter mountain.

Sunday, April 5

Easter Sunday is Norway’s most important Christian holiday and commemorates the resurrection of Jesus. Even non-religious families mark the day — it is one of Norway’s major family celebrations. Easter breakfast with eggs, chocolate, lamb and oranges is tradition. Easter eggs are not just chocolate — many families paint real eggs or decorate paper eggs hung on påskeris (birch branches with colourful feathers). Easter Sunday always falls on a Sunday. The Norwegian flag is flown at full mast.

Monday, April 6

Easter Monday is a paid day off for practically all employees. Many are still at the cabin, and the day is used for the return from the mountains — Sunday and Monday are notorious for traffic jams on E6 and E18 toward Oslo. For those at home, it is "leftovers dinner" (lots remains after Easter breakfast), film evenings or one last ski trip before the snow melts. Many shops are closed. Easter krim — a uniquely Norwegian tradition — culminates in many families on this day, with reading of Easter mystery short stories or new mystery TV series.

Friday, May 1

Labour Day (1 May) is an official holiday under the Act on 1 and 17 May as Public Holidays (1947-04-26 no. 1). Trade union (LO) May Day parades march through every Norwegian city with banners, speeches and red roses. The day marks the labour movement’s fight for the eight-hour working day and is a paid day off for everyone. The Norwegian flag is flown at full mast. Many political parties give speeches — especially the Labour Party and SV. After the parade there is political dialogue, café visits and family lunch. In 2026, 1 May falls on a Friday — perfect for a long weekend.

Thursday, May 14

Ascension Day commemorates Christ’s ascension to heaven and always falls on a Thursday — exactly 39 days after Easter Sunday. It is a statutory holiday and one of the most popular "bridge Friday" days in Norway. Many Norwegians take the bridge Friday off (15 May) and thus get a 4-day weekend. The weather is usually good in May, and many take a cabin trip, hike or short trip abroad. Charter trips to Mallorca, Crete and Turkey are popular during this period. Religious families attend morning services.

Sunday, May 17

Constitution Day (17 May) is Norway’s national day, commemorating the 1814 Constitution — one of the world’s oldest constitutions still in force. It is an official holiday under the 1947 Act. The day is the most universally celebrated national day in the world, with children’s parades (not military parades) in thousands of towns and villages. The Oslo children’s parade passes the Royal Palace balcony where the royal family waves; some 4 million Norwegians watch on TV. Bunad — the regional folk costume — is worn by about 70% of participants. A 17 May breakfast with scrambled eggs, smoked salmon and champagne kicks off the day; ice cream and hot dogs are eaten "by the bucket" all day long. In 2026, 17 May unfortunately falls on a Sunday — no extra weekday off.

Sunday, May 24

Whit Sunday (Pentecost) always falls on a Sunday — 49 days after Easter Sunday — and commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles. It is one of the church’s most important holidays and is considered the birthday of the congregation. Pentecost has also become a major travel weekend in Norway, especially for hiking, cycling and short camping trips (the first proper camping weekend of the year). Many festivals begin this week, and many outdoor venues open for the season. Weather is often good, and it is the season for asparagus, wild garlic and rhubarb. The Norwegian flag is flown at full mast.

Monday, May 25

Whit Monday is a statutory holiday and a paid day off for practically all employees. Like Easter Monday, the day is used for family visits, gardening, day trips and — typically Norwegian — driving home from the cabin after the Pentecost weekend. Many extend the Pentecost weekend with Tuesday off for a 4-day weekend. Garden centres see their busiest day of the year — Pentecost marks the end of frost danger, and people plant summer flowers, tomatoes and blueberry bushes. Weather is usually good with 18-22°C in southern Norway.

Friday, December 25

Christmas Day is a statutory holiday and the largest family celebration in Norway — although the main celebration takes place on Christmas Eve (24 December). On Christmas Day many eat the rib-roast leftovers from the night before, go on family visits, or attend church for the Christmas service. The Norwegian flag is flown at full mast. Practically all shops, banks and offices are closed. The mid-period of the school holiday is often used for travel — to grandparents, the cabin, or a charter trip to warmer climes. Weather is usually cold and snowy inland and in northern Norway; wetter along the coast. In 2026, Christmas Day falls on a Friday — perfect for an automatic 3-day weekend.

Saturday, December 26

Boxing Day (called St. Stephen’s Day after the first Christian martyr) is a statutory holiday and a paid day off for everyone. Many families gather for a second Christmas dinner, leftovers (rib roast, pinnekjøtt, lutefisk and scrambled eggs), or a long-weekend trip. It is the classic day for "julerangling" — going from house to house with relatives and friends. Restaurants are usually open (unlike Christmas Day). Many register for the Birkebeineren or other long-distance ski races held in February/March and use the Christmas holiday for training. In 2026, Boxing Day falls on a Saturday — no extra weekday off.

Wednesday, January 21

Princess Ingrid Alexandra (born 21 January 2004) is Norway’s future queen and daughter of Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit. Her birthday is an official flag day — the Norwegian flag is flown at full mast on all public buildings. The Princess took her oath of allegiance to the Storting in 2022 after coming of age and now participates more actively in official duties. The day is not a holiday, but is marked with flag-flying and short media features at the Royal Palace.

Friday, February 6

Sami National Day (Sami: Sámi álbmotbeaivi) marks the first Sami congress in Trondheim on 6 February 1917 — a milestone in Sami political history. The day became an official flag day in Norway in 2003. The Sami flag (red, blue, green and yellow) is flown alongside the Norwegian flag. At universities, schools and town halls throughout Norway — especially in Sápmi (the Sami region in Northern Norway) — the day is marked with lectures, joik (Sami chant), Sami food (bidos = reindeer meat soup, gáhkku = traditional Sami bread) and cultural events. The Sami Parliament in Karasjok holds an official ceremony.

Sunday, February 8

Mother’s Day in Norway falls on the 2nd Sunday of February — a notable outlier. In 2026 it is 8 February; in 2027 it is 14 February. The tradition was imported by pastor Egil Sundt from the USA in 1918, based on the Lutheran "Mothers’ Sunday". Norway differs here from Sweden (last Sunday in May), Finland (2nd Sunday in May), Denmark (2nd Sunday in May) and the UK (4th Sunday of Lent). The tradition involves flowers, breakfast in bed, handmade cards from children, and a family dinner. Florists experience their second-busiest day of the year (after Valentine’s Day). Mother’s Day is not a flag day or a free day.

Saturday, February 14

Valentine’s Day is a relatively new commercial tradition in Norway — only really widespread from the 1990s after American influence. Red roses, chocolates and romantic dinners are central. Restaurants experience their busiest day of the year, and florists offer special Valentine’s bouquets. The day is not an official holiday or flag day, and is commercially less dominant than in the USA. In 2026 it falls on a Saturday — perfect for a romantic dinner.

Saturday, February 21

King Harald V (born 21 February 1937) is Norway’s fifth king of the current dynasty and has reigned since 1991. His birthday is an official flag day — the Norwegian flag is flown at full mast on all public buildings. The King has had known health challenges in recent years, but is still a very popular monarch — many cite his 1991 speech as one of Norway’s most famous addresses. The day is not a free day.

Sunday, March 29

Palm Sunday marks Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem and is the first day of Holy Week (the last week before Easter). In most Norwegian churches a special service is held where children march in with palm branches (or pussy-willow branches in Norway). Palm Sunday is NOT a statutory holiday in Norway — unlike in Germany and some Catholic countries — so it is just an ordinary Sunday. Many Easter holidaymakers nonetheless start their holiday on this day, especially those leaving early for the cabin before Maundy Thursday.

Saturday, April 4

Easter Eve (the Saturday before Easter Sunday) is not a statutory holiday, but is covered by the Holiday Peace (§3 of the Public Holidays Act) from 16:00. Most shops must close at 16:00, and public events with high noise are not allowed. Many take the day off anyway — it is used for last preparations before Easter Sunday, Easter breakfast shopping or one last ski trip in the mountains. Religious families attend the Easter Vigil at 23:00. It is a quiet, expectant day.

Friday, May 8

Liberation Day (8 May) marks the end of the German occupation of Norway in 1945 when German forces surrendered. Since 2010 the day is also Veterans’ Day — honouring Norwegian veterans of all overseas operations and peacekeeping missions. The Norwegian flag is flown at full mast. The capital marks the day with a wreath-laying at the monument to the fallen at Akershus Fortress, a service in Oslo Cathedral, and a military parade. NRK often broadcasts a special documentary. The day is not a free day, but remains an important national observance.

Sunday, June 7

Dissolution of the Union on 7 June commemorates the 1905 date when the Storting voted to dissolve the 91-year union between Norway and Sweden (1814-1905). The Norwegian flag is flown at full mast. From 1814 to 1905 Norway was in personal union with Sweden, but governed after 1814 under its own Constitution. The Storting voted on 7 June 1905 to depose King Oscar II — an act that led to a referendum that autumn in which 99.95% voted for dissolution. Prince Carl of Denmark (Haakon VII) was elected as Norway’s new king. The day is not a free day, but is an important marker of Norwegian sovereignty.

Tuesday, June 23

Midsummer Eve on 23 June — also called Jonsok (St. John’s vigil) — is one of Norway’s most popular folk traditions. Bonfires are lit on beaches, especially along the western coast (Vestland, Rogaland, Møre og Romsdal), where boat parades, "pirate" customs and communal grilling are also held. It is the shortest night of the year — the sun barely sets in Northern Norway (midnight sun from approximately 13 May to 29 July at the North Cape). Sankthansaften is NOT a statutory flag day or free day, but is one of the most social evenings of the year. Inland Norway marks the day more quietly than Sweden or Finland do their respective midsummer celebrations.

Saturday, July 4

Queen Sonja (born Sonja Haraldsen on 4 July 1937) became Queen of Norway in 1991 and is known as one of the country’s most popular royals. Her birthday is an official flag day — the Norwegian flag is flown at full mast. The Queen is known for her commitment to art, mountain hiking (she has climbed Galdhøpiggen several times) and human rights. Her birthday falls on the same day as the US national day — a curious coincidence often noted in the media.

Monday, July 20

Crown Prince Haakon (born 20 July 1973) is Norway’s future king and son of King Harald V and Queen Sonja. His birthday is an official flag day. The Crown Prince is married to Crown Princess Mette-Marit (since 2001) and has three children: Marius (from her first relationship), Princess Ingrid Alexandra (Norway’s first female heir to the throne) and Prince Sverre Magnus. He has a master’s in development studies from UC Berkeley and is strongly engaged in sustainability and social inclusion.

Wednesday, July 29

St. Olav’s Day (Olsok, 29 July) commemorates the Battle of Stiklestad in 1030, when Olav Haraldsson (later St. Olav) was killed in battle against the peasant army. Olav was canonised the following year (1031) and is Norway’s patron saint. Olsok is an official flag day — the Norwegian flag is flown at full mast. Each summer (late July), the Olsok Days are held at Stiklestad in Trøndelag with over 90,000 visitors, where the Stiklestad Play (outdoor theatre performance) is a highlight. The Pilgrim Path (Pilegrimsleden) to Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim is active throughout the summer — over 8,000 people walk sections of the route each year. Olsok is one of Europe’s oldest continuous saint traditions.

Wednesday, August 19

Crown Princess Mette-Marit (born Mette-Marit Tjessem Høiby on 19 August 1973) became Crown Princess of Norway in 2001 when she married Crown Prince Haakon. Her birthday is an official flag day. The Crown Princess is known for her work with literature (she organises an annual "Literature Train" travelling through Norway), HIV/AIDS engagement through UNAIDS, and sustainability. In recent years she has spoken openly about her lung disease (chronic lung disease diagnosed 2018), which has strengthened her popular standing.

Saturday, October 24

United Nations Day on 24 October marks the date in 1945 when the United Nations was officially established with the entry into force of the UN Charter. Norway was one of the 51 founding members. The day is marked at schools throughout Norway with theme days on the UN, international rights and the Sustainable Development Goals. The UN flag is often flown alongside the Norwegian flag on public buildings. The Norwegian Prime Minister often gives a public address, and the Norwegian UN Association organises cultural events. UN Day is not a statutory flag day in Norway, but the observance is strong and visible.

Saturday, October 31

Halloween is a relatively new commercial import in Norway — only really widespread from the 2000s. The tradition includes "trick or treat", pumpkin carving, costumes and spooky parties. More widespread among children and youth than adults. In the cities there are dedicated Halloween parties at venues, while schools host "Halloween dances". Many adults do not mark the day at all — it remains debated whether this is a desired commercial tradition or not. In 2026, Halloween falls on a Saturday — perfect for larger parties.

Sunday, November 1

All Saints’ Day (the Norwegian variant of All Saints’ Day) always falls on the 1st Sunday of November in Norway — unlike Sweden where it falls on a Saturday, and unlike Catholic countries where it falls on the fixed date of 1 November. The day is marked with grave visits, candle-lighting on graves and memorial services. Many churches hold special memorial ceremonies where the deceased of the past year are read aloud. In big cities like Oslo and Bergen, thousands of candles are lit at Vår Frelsers cemetery and Møllendal cemetery. All Saints’ Day is not a free day.

Sunday, November 8

Father’s Day in Norway falls on the 2nd Sunday of November — also a deviating tradition (many countries celebrate Father’s Day in June). The tradition was imported from the USA in the 1900s and includes handmade cards from children, breakfast in bed, a good bottle of aquavit or wine, and family dinner. Father’s Day is less commercialised than Mother’s Day, but is still an important observance for Norwegian families. It is not a flag day or free day.

Thursday, December 24

Christmas Eve (24 December) is Norway’s most important family evening of the year — although it is not a statutory holiday. The Holiday Peace (§3) means most shops must close at 16:00, and many employers grant the whole day off (depending on the collective agreement). Christmas dinner — typically rib roast (Eastern Norway), pinnekjøtt (Western Norway, Northern Norway), lutefisk (coastal Vestland) or fish — is eaten around 17:00. After dinner come gifts under the tree, mulled wine and gingerbread cookies. The Norwegian flag is flown at full mast in the morning, but many lower it before the evening. NRK’s Reindeer and Tom and Jerry special are obligatory TV traditions at 11:00.

Thursday, December 31

New Year’s Eve (31 December) marks the end of the year and is one of Norway’s biggest folk celebrations. Many take time off (collective agreements vary — some sectors have a half day, others a full day). Pinnekjøtt or another traditional New Year’s dinner is eaten around 18-19:00. At 20:00 the King reads his New Year’s address. At midnight — exactly — NRK broadcasts live from Aker Brygge in Oslo with a fireworks show. Many cities have public fireworks displays. After midnight, the party often continues until late morning. Practically all shops close early on this day.

Thursday, January 1

Thursday, April 2

Friday, April 3

Sunday, April 5

Monday, April 6

Friday, May 1

Thursday, May 14

Sunday, May 17

Sunday, May 24

Monday, May 25

Friday, December 25

Saturday, December 26