🎉 Stress-free May in Norway: 1 May, 8 May and 17 May — what's open, where to go and how to get there 🇳🇴
May in Norway is a thrilling time, with three exciting dates to look forward to, each with its own unique character. The first of May is a public holiday and a time for demonstrations; the eighth is Flag Day, with fabulous commemorative ceremonies; and the seventeenth is Constitution Day, when cities are filled with marches, parades, breakfasts and flags. To make the most of these days, it's important to know in advance what's open and closed, how transport schedules change, where the parade and rally routes are, what to wear if you don't have a bunad, and how flag etiquette works. This article answers all these questions and provides links to detailed information and city mini-guides. Plan with ease: from road closure maps to family zones and restaurants with special menus on 17 May – this is going to be amazing!
What is happening on 1 May, 8 May and 17 May, and why is this important for your plans?
These dates are all different. 1 May and 17 May are official holidays (very serious religious celebrations) and flag days. You can expect transport schedules to be changed, roads to be closed in the city centres and some catering services to be available. 8 May is a special day for flags, but it's not a holiday. People hold ceremonies at memorials and sometimes restrict traffic in certain areas. Knowing the status helps you to quickly work out if there will be early closures, if you need to book restaurants in advance, and how much time to allow for travelling.
What is usually open/closed on 1 May?
On this holiday, most supermarkets are closed or have shorter opening hours, and Vinmonopolet is usually closed too. Restaurants and cafes are open, and brunch and lunch sets are popular, but you need to book in advance. Museums and cultural venues are open some of the time, and sometimes they are closed. Public transport runs according to the weekend schedule, but there may be road closures in the city centre because of demonstrations. Here are some practical tips:
Let's take a look at 8 May — it's a normal weekday, but with its own nuances.
What's happening on 8 May (Liberation and Veterans' Day)?
This is a flag day, but it's not a public holiday, so most shops, Vinmonopolet, cafés and museums are open as usual. The main events are the ceremonies at the memorials. There may be local road closures near the sites and changes to transport routes. If you want to take part, arrive early, stay calm and make sure you don't block anyone's way. If you're going to the event with your family, make sure you know what it's going to be like. Bring warm clothes and water for your children. Now for the main holiday of the month: 17 May.
What is open/closed on 17 May and how does this affect your route for the day?
17 May is a public holiday and flag day. Supermarkets are often closed or have shorter opening hours; Vinmonopolet is closed. Restaurants are open, but only offer set menus and you need to book in advance. Museums are only open sometimes. The transport schedule is the same as for a holiday, but there may be extra buses to the city centre in the morning before the parades. In the afternoon, some roads will be closed and bus stops will be moved. Get there early and pick a spot to watch that's close to toilets, water and family areas.
To avoid getting stuck, it is important to have transport and road closure maps.
What's the best way to get around, and where can I find official road closure maps?
Just follow this simple step-by-step plan:
1) Open the city's mini-guide.
2) Click on the buttons to go to the operator (Ruter/Bybanen/etc.) and the municipality page with the closure map.
3) Look at the nearest places where you can stop and add 15–20 minutes to your journey time. On the morning of 17 May, extra buses are often added to the city centre, and in the evening, extra buses are added to the return routes. For trains and airports, check Vy/Flytoget/Avinor.
When you know how to get there, we can think about what to wear.
What are the rules for wearing bunads, and what should you wear if you don't have one?
A bunad is a traditional dress for a whole country. It is a simple, one-piece outfit that is specific to a region (don't mix elements from different regions). You should wear clean shoes, simple accessories and, if necessary, a neutral-coloured cape or raincoat. If you don't have a uniform, smart casual is ideal: a suit or dress, coat, comfortable shoes for standing for long periods. Children should have warm clothes and a coat for when it's windy. Remember the weather: an umbrella without large symbols, thick raincoats.
Now that you know what to wear, let's talk about flags.
What are the rules for using flags in May for people and groups?
The 1st, 8th and 17th of May are flag days. Government agencies must fly the flag; private individuals and companies are encouraged to do so. The general rule is to raise the flag in the morning and lower it at sunset/in the evening (check regional regulations for details). When flying several flags together, put the Norwegian flag first. The Sami flag should be placed next to it, according to the rules of placement. Only fly flags at half-mast on the right days and follow the local rules.
Now, let's talk about how we're going to deal with the crowds at the big events: the 1 May demonstrations and the 17 May parades.
Where can you watch the May Day demonstrations and how can you stay safe?
The municipalities and organisers publish the routes and times. The best places to do this are wide sections of streets and squares with barriers. The rules are simple: stay on the pavement, do not cross the columns, do not block emergency exits; earplugs are useful for children. Please do not take photos or videos of the participants. You can only use a drone if you have permission and if you follow the local rules. If you are travelling with a pushchair, choose a spot with plenty of space and a side exit.
The parades on 17 May are different. It is a day for children and families.
Parades on 17 May: how to choose the best spot and make sure you don't miss the main events!
Barnetog is in the morning and around noon. Choose somewhere with a good view of the turns/squares, that's close to toilets/water and family areas; and get there early. For guests who have difficulty moving around, the local council has marked some areas that are easy to get to. Look for these on the official map. It's useful to have a plan B: if the area is crowded, go to the neighbouring street via the internal passageways. After the parade, make sure you allow time to get to a restaurant or café, as traffic in the city centre is gradually returning to normal.
What about breakfast and reservations on that day?
What you need to know about booking breakfast and brunch on 17 May, and what you should ask the restaurant.
There is a lot of demand for this, so it's best to book 1–2 weeks in advance. When you book, it's a good idea to check the set menu, how long the slot lasts, the deposit/cancellation policy and the options for children. If you want a window or terrace seat, choose one near the parade route. If there are no seats available, look for hotels that offer breakfast to non-guests. They often have seats available in the early slots. Plan your journey, thinking about any road closures or places where people cross the road.
The weather in May can be unpredictable, so it's best to be prepared for rain and wind.
What should you do if it's raining or windy? Are parades cancelled and where can you go instead?
Parades are rarely cancelled completely; more often, the time and route are changed. Watch the community channels on the morning of the event. Plan B: visit museums with family areas, libraries, food courts and indoor markets. For little ones, there are "quiet rooms" in large cultural centres. Bring layers, waterproof raincoats and compact umbrellas. Restaurants sometimes open early on rainy days. Check your reservation the day before. You can find specific options and quick lists in city mini-guides.
Another common question is whether you can bring a stroller and a dog.
Are prams and dogs allowed at the demonstrations and parades?
You can bring prams, but choose places with wide pavements, side exits and nearby toilets. Get there early and stand at the edge so you don't block anyone's way. Dogs can get stressed in big crowds because of the noise. If you bring your pet, use a harness, stay on the edge and avoid areas with drums and orchestras. Some places have local restrictions, so check the website of the local government. We collect family tips and maps of places that are easy to get to in our city mini-guides.
And finally, we will look at how to take part respectfully in the ceremonies on 8 May.
On 8 May, we will be talking about how to take part in ceremonies in a way that is respectful and doesn't cause any problems.
Please arrive 10–20 minutes before the start, turn off your phones, and stay outside the passages of the honor guard and services. If you are taking photos, please do not enter the organisers' work area and do not block other people's view. Explain to the children how the ceremony will run and how long it will take. Also, make sure they have water and a snack. After the ceremony, let people leave and don't block the memorials.
May in Norway is an incredible time to experience the country at its best! From the serene ceremonies on 8 May to the vibrant demonstrations on 1 May and the thousands of joyous faces at the parades on 17 May, it's a month of celebration and unity. With a clear plan in place, you'll breeze through the day, checking the status, scoping out the "what's open" matrix, and keeping an eye on the road closure maps. And of course, you'll be booking those tables in advance, making sure you're all set for an unforgettable day! This way, you can choose the best spots for viewing, take your children's interests into account and get home easily.
We would absolutely love to hear your thoughts in the comments! If you have any interesting photos, personal experiences or questions about the topic of the article, we would love to hear from you – please leave a comment! We can't wait to hear from you, because we're on a mission to create the most popular and useful blog about Norway!
