🕊️ Første pinsedag (Pentecost): what is open, where to find services and how to spend a "quiet" day 🌸
Status: public holiday and official flag day. On the Saturday before (Pinseaften), helligdagsfred applies from 4 p.m. — many places close earlier.
Actual opening hours depend on the chain/municipality and are updated locally. Always check the opening hours for a specific location and announcements from the transport operator.
🕊️ Quick Guide: What Usually Works (Whit Sunday)
| Category | Status |
|---|---|
| 🛒 Supermarkets | Often closed; rare duty points |
| 🍷 Vinmonopolet | Closed (all stores) |
| ☕ Restaurants/cafés | Limited — some open with reduced hours/set menus |
| 🏛 Museums/culture | Partially open (holiday hours) |
| 🚍 Public transport | Holiday/Sunday schedules (most regions) |
⚠️ Reminder: On Pinseaften (Pentecost Eve), helligdagsfred applies from 16:00 → early closures & “quiet” hours.
Services and family formats
Pentecost is a church holiday (Holy Spirit Day). Many parishes hold services and family programmes; check the time and language (NOR/ENG) on your church or municipality website.
Ideas for a 'quiet' day:
● a short walk along the waterfront/in the park and a "late breakfast" at an outdoor café;
● a museum with holiday hours (often shortened);
● family picnic and board games at home;
● "påskefjellet-light" in the mountains/on a trail in spring — depending on the weather and daylight hours.
Transport: how to get there without surprises
● Public transport: Sunday timetables apply; night services are reduced or suspended. Check with your operator (Ruter, Skyss, AtB, etc.).
● Trains (Vy): holiday/Sunday schedules, high demand for return journeys on Sunday evening and Monday (Andre pinsedag). Check times and book in advance.
● Airports: flights are operating according to airline schedules; ground transportation is operating according to weekend schedules.
Where to eat and what to do in cities
Oslo/Bergen/Trondheim/Stavanger/Tromsø: look for restaurants with holiday opening hours, bistros in tourist areas and coffee shops on the waterfront/main streets. For museums, check their "holiday hours" on their official websites. Tips: choose areas with familiar tourist activity, check your booking 1–2 days in advance and confirm your seating slots by phone/in the app.
🚩 Flag Day: How to Raise and Lower the Flag
Whit Sunday (Første pinsedag) is an official flag day in Norway.
- 🌿 March–October — raise at 08:00, lower at sunset, but no later than 21:00
- ❄ November–February — raise at 09:00, lower at sunset
- 🌌 Nordland/Troms/Finnmark (winter) — 10:00–15:00
Private homes are not required to fly the flag, but it is customary to follow the same rules. See more in our dedicated Flag Day hub.
FAQ
Yes. Første pinsedag is an official flag day. Raise the flag at 08:00 (March–October) or 09:00 (November–February) and lower it at sunset, but no later than 21:00; in the north in winter — 10:00–15:00.
Vinmonopolet is closed on all public holidays; supermarkets are also often closed (there may be rare exceptions with very short opening hours — check the store search).
Some restaurants/cafes are open with reduced hours; popular places require reservations. Museums are open selectively, according to holiday hours. Check the "Opening hours" of a specific venue the day before.
Usually, the "Sunday" (holiday) schedule is in effect: less frequent service, limited night service. Check with your regional transport provider (e.g., Skyss/AtB).
Church services are often held in parishes on Første pinsedag; English-language services may be available in tourist towns. Check the website of your parish/Den norske kirke.
It is the eve of Pentecost (Saturday). From 4 p.m., helligdagsfred is in effect: early closures, quieter advertising/events — make sure to shop in advance.
Yes: a walk along the waterfront/in the park, a late breakfast at an outdoor café, a small museum (if open), board games/films at home. Check opening hours in advance.
The peak return times are Sunday evening and all day Monday (Andre pinsedag). Book train tickets in advance and choose off-peak times.
