🌞 A stress-free summer in Norway: Sankthans, Olsok and fellesferie — where to go, what's open and how to plan 🏖️

Summer in Norway is absolutely amazing! There are so many incredible experiences to be had. You can have a bonfire on the shore during Sankthans/Jonsok, enjoy the Olsok festivals near Nidaros and of course experience the three-week fellesferie, when cities take a breather and roads and trains are at their busiest. Get ready for the best season yet! Here's everything you need to know to have an amazing time without any hassle. You'll find out the details on what's usually open or closed, where the bonfires are allowed, how to get to the sites without a car, where to find the official Olsok programme and how to organise a workation in July.

Get ready for the best summer ever! From evening picnics on the shore to pilgrimage routes and quiet workplaces, there's something for everyone.

What is Sankthans/Jonsok? And where is the best place to watch the lights on the shore?

Sankthansaften/Jonsok is a summer festival held at the water's edge (23/24 June): official venues on beaches, islands and bays. The best thing to do is to choose places that the local council has allowed, arrive early, bring a blanket, water and warm clothes (it gets cold in the evening). In big cities, there are usually "anchor" locations with toilets and emergency services; these are safer for children.

Before heading to the bonfires, check the fire regulations — they change depending on the weather.

Can you light bonfires on Sankthans? Where can you find the prohibitions (eller: "bålforbud")?

The local authorities decide what permits and restrictions there are. During times of drought or windy weather, the local authority might ban open-air fires or restrict them to designated areas. Here are some basic rules to follow:

- Stay away from buildings.

- Look after any plants.

- Make sure you have water or sand to put out fires.

- Take your rubbish with you when you leave. If you're not sure, choose something else: LED lamps, torches and electric barbecues.

The rules are simple — let's see how services work on Sankthans evening.

What is open or closed on Shrove Tuesday (23/24 June)?

Most supermarkets and Vinmonopolet stores are open as normal, or with slightly shorter opening hours. Restaurants and cafés are open as normal, and some have summer menus. Museums close in the evening, and there are more transport options to the waterfront and beaches (depending on the city). Parks and beaches are busy, so plan to arrive early and think about your return journey (night buses, ferries). Don't forget to tidy up after yourself and be considerate of your neighbours.

If you don't have a car, it's even more useful to know about logistics.

Where can you park and how can you get to popular venues without a car?

The best way to get around is to combine train, tram and bus with walking or cycling. On Sankthans evening, extra services or "corridors" are provided to the beaches (depending on the city's decision). There are not many places to park near the water, so it is better to leave your car at a park-and-ride car park and walk the last 10-20 minutes. Bring a headlamp for the way back and a warm layer. On the city pages, we show you the nearest stops and safe routes for families.

On 29 July, the country celebrates St. Olav's Day.

What is Olsok and where is the main celebration held?

Olsok (29 July) is St. Olav's Day. The main events take place in Trondheim, around Nidaros Cathedral. These include services, concerts, fairs and city festivals. In some places, there are religious processions and historical reenactments. This is both an observation and a flag day: government institutions fly flags, and the private sector is encouraged to do so as well. Plan ahead: check the programme, book your accommodation, and figure out how you're going to get between venues.

If you're going to concerts and services, it's important to get tickets and check the schedule.

Do you need tickets for Olsok and how should you plan your day in Trondheim?

Some events are free (street stages, fairs), but you need tickets or to sign up for concerts, performances and some services. Plan your route with three stops and allow extra time for queues and walking. Make sure you can get to all the places you need to go (check if there are any areas for people with reduced mobility, toilets or water points). Also, check the weather forecast (bring a raincoat and layers). If you are travelling for one day, choose a morning train/flight and an evening return outside the busiest times.

Many people combine Olsok with a short pilgrimage.

What is the St. Olav Ways pilgrimage? And what should you take with you?

There is a network of marked trails to Nidaros. Even a short day trip is a trail, not a city walk: you will need comfortable shoes, water, snacks, a power bank/cable, a raincoat, a map/offline navigation. Let your family and friends know your route and when you will be back. Follow the signs and don't go into people's gardens or houses. First, check if there are any closures or detours and what time the last transport back is.

In July, enjoy fellesferie, whether you're on holiday or just going about your everyday life.

What is fellesferie and how does it affect services?

Fellesferie is a tradition of "collective vacation" in July (usually weeks 28–30). It's not a law, but lots of companies and services change to summer hours and get slower. There is a lot less business on weekdays, but tourist areas and day parks are busy. Here's a useful tip: plan your requests to authorities and companies in advance, use electronic channels, and set up an out-of-office message with a time frame. For everyday tasks, check the opening times of post offices, banks and libraries.

If you work during the summer, "workation" navigation will come in handy.

Where can you work and study during the holidays? Cafés, libraries and co-working spaces.

When choosing a coffee shop, make sure the Wi-Fi and power outlets are stable. For libraries, look for "quiet rooms" and for co-working spaces, day passes are often available. Plan your calls for the morning when the rooms are empty and the network is more stable. Have a backup plan: find the nearest library or co-working space, and make a list of quiet places in parks that have shade and toilets. If you are travelling, check your mobile coverage and take a power bank with you.

July is a costly month for travel, so let's try to spend less.

When is it cheaper to fly/travel in July and how to avoid the busiest times?

Look for flights/trains on Tuesday–Wednesday–Saturday, very early in the morning or late in the evening. Book popular destinations in advance and keep your dates flexible by 1–2 days. If you are going to the sea/fjord, take a "two-step" route: first, take a morning train to a big city, then a short bus/ferry outside of the busiest times. For cars, drive in the "reverse" traffic flow and check the mountain passes. It is useful to keep a list of other places to stay.

What if you just want a short weekend away?

Here are some ideas for short trips that you can take from big cities. The trips should be between one and three days long.

From Oslo, you can see the Oslofjord, islands and Lake Maridalen. You can also take the train to visit forest stations. From Bergen, you can enjoy the coastal fjords, take the Fløibanen funicular and explore some easy trails. From Trondheim, you can visit the Ladefjord peninsula and the coastal villages, as well as the open-air museums. From Stavanger, you can visit Yarna beaches and get to Preikestolen (but be careful). From Tromsø: Kvaløy/Sommarøy islands. Things to consider:

- You can get there without a car.

- There is a toilet and water.

- There are things to do if it rains.

Let's talk about what will actually happen in July.

What is usually open/closed in July and during fellesferie?

Supermarkets are open, but often on summer hours; Vinmonopolet is open on weekdays and during the summer. Restaurants — some are open, some close for holidays. It is better to book in advance at places that are popular. There are lots of fun things to do at museums and cultural places in the summer, like shows on the street. Transport — summer timetables, lots of people want to travel between cities. Parks and beaches are busy during the day, but are quieter in the morning and evening.

That means protecting families and pets.

Are children and dogs allowed at bonfires and festivals? What should you pay attention to?

Yes, but there are some things to consider. For children, choose areas with toilets and water. Stay away from fire and crowds. Bring headphones if there is music. If you're going to a fireworks display with your dog, remember that they find heat, noise and crowds very stressful. The best places for them are in the shade at the edge of the crowd. Bring water and a harness for your dog, and try to avoid fireworks and drums. At festivals, look for areas that are marked as family-friendly. When you've finished your picnic, tidy up any rubbish and put out the coals (only use metal containers and wait for them to cool down completely).

Summer in Norway is an absolute delight! The evening lights on the water, the sound of Nidaros bells and a rare pause in the city rhythm during fellesferie – what more could you ask for? Discover the perfect spot for your bonfire, the incredible Olsok programmes, the best times to go and the amazing July events. Turn your season into a series of comfortable and vibrant days — whether it's a family picnic by the bay, a short pilgrimage or some quiet work in your favourite coffee shop.

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!