🎉 17 May in Norway: parades, bunad and what is open 🇳🇴
17 May is Constitution Day, an official public holiday and flag day. It is equivalent to a Sunday (day off), but without the helligdagsfred rules, which means that the day is marked by parades, road closures and family breakfasts. The flag is raised and lowered at the usual flag times.
Working hours, routes and closures vary by municipality and network. Before your visit, check the "hours" for a specific location and the official websites of your city/transport operators.
🛒 Supermarkets
Depends on chain & municipality (check Sunday hours).
🍷 Vinmonopolet
By law, Polet is closed on 17 May and all public holidays.
☕ Restaurants/cafés
Usually by reservation and/or fixed menu for 17 May breakfast/brunch.
🏛 Museums/culture
Tourist attractions often run on holiday hours.
🚍 Public transport
In Oslo, trams/buses/metro run on Saturday schedule; city centre partly closed — plan ahead.
Parades: where to watch, maps and accessibility
Oslo. The city portal publishes the route of the children's parade (barnetog), the order of schools, recommendations on accessibility (HC parking, passageways) and walking/wheelchair access. Viewing points on Karl Johans gate fill up quickly — arrive early.
Bergen. The city centre is closed off by a wide "belt"; during the day, the Bybanen and buses run according to a separate schedule. Keep an eye on the closure map and the time of the main parade (Hovedprosesjonen).
Other cities (Trondheim, Tromsø, Stavanger). Route maps and family zones are published on city websites and the pages of the 17 May committees. Look for the buttons "Program", "Barnetog" and "Tilgjengelighet".
Tips for choosing a location:
● choose a spot near a station/stop with detour routes;
● with children, choose family zones and playgrounds with toilets nearby;
● avoid narrow bottlenecks at intersections.
Bunad and dress code (quick guide)
● Bunad is worn as a complete set (do not mix elements from different regions).
● Shoes should be closed and neat; jewellery should match the costume.
● If you don't have a bunad: smart casual/suit/dress is fine; small flags are appropriate.
● The weather is changeable — wear layers and waterproof capes in neutral colours; umbrellas without large symbols.
Transport and closures: how to get there
● Public transport. In Oslo on 17 May, Saturday timetables apply; part of the city centre is not accessible by bus or tram. Use the Ruter route planner and buy tickets in advance.
● Special restrictions. In 2025, Ruter warned of narrow passages at Nationaltheatret (work on the line) and possible temporary station closures due to overcrowding — check for updates.
● Bergen. A large area of the city centre is closed to cars in the morning; after 15:00, Bybanen/buses gradually return to their routes through the centre.
● Trains (Vy) and airports. Services are running, but due to closures and holiday schedules, allow extra time for transfers and getting to stations/airports.
Drones. There is a permanent no-fly zone (EN R-102) in central Oslo; flights are only permitted with permission from the aviation authorities. Otherwise, the general rules apply (up to 120 m, direct line of sight, etc.).
Quick ideas for cities (where to go "between parades")
● Oslo: Aker Brygge/Operastranda waterfront, Slottsparken/Studenterlunden parks; after the parade, museums with festive opening hours.
● Bergen: viewpoints at Bryggen and Festplassen; in the evening, a walk along Vågen (taking into account the return transport).
● Trondheim/Tromsø/Stavanger: central squares and embankments, family areas near parks; details on the city pages on 17 May.
🇳🇴 Flag Day & “Flag Hours” — 17 May
- March–October: Raise at 08:00, lower at sunset, but no later than 21:00.
- November–February: Raise at 09:00, lower at sunset.
- In the north: Winter hours often 10:00–15:00.
Flagging is not mandatory for private homes, but encouraged. Government agencies follow regulations. More info in our flag hub.
FAQ
On the city pages on 17 May: Oslo publishes a map, the order of schools and accessibility recommendations; in Bergen, there is a map of road closures and a schedule of processions. Check the official website of your city.
Most popular places operate with set menus and time slots — book in advance for morning/lunch; check the deposit conditions and seating duration (60–120 minutes).
Smart casual: suit/dress, neat layers depending on the weather. A small flag is appropriate. The main thing is comfortable shoes and a warm wrap in case of rain/wind.
In central Oslo, you cannot without permission (permanent restricted area EN R-102). In other places, national rules apply (up to 120 m, visual contact, etc.). Check local restrictions
No, all Polet stores are closed on 17 May and on public holidays.
Trams/buses/metro — according to the "Saturday" schedule, part of the city centre is not accessible. Use the Ruter planner and allow extra time for detours.
Look for the Tilgjengelighet/Accessibility sections on the city's website and event maps, which indicate HC parking spaces, accessible stands and toilets.
In Bergen and a number of other cities, the city centre will be closed to traffic; park at a P+R car park and take public transport according to the holiday timetable.
