Throughout the year, major events and festivals take place in Trondheim, the biggest city in Central Norway. Check out our recommendations for the unmissable events over the coming year.
Planning a trip to Norway? If you're passing through central Norway on your travels, then why not time your visit to coincide with a special event?
I’ve now lived in Trondheim for more than ten years. Trondheim is Norway's third biggest city and as I’ve found out, there's plenty of festivals and other cultural events held throughout the year.
From music festivals featuring major international artists to celebrations of all things innovative, Trondheim offers something for everyone. But when is the best time to visit?
Well, we keep our eyes on the major concerts, festivals and other big events in Trondheim so you don’t have to!
Whether you're a resident of Trondheim or planning to visit, check out this guide to make the most of your time. Also, don't forget to check out this list of things to do in Trondheim all year round.
Minimalen Short Film Festival
13 – 18 January, 2026: If you believe that a lot of great cinema is made by unknown filmmakers trying to gain a foothold in the industry without financial backing, this is the event for you.
Norwegian, Nordic and international films of no more than 30 minutes compete for prizes. This year is the 38th edition of the event and features approximately 250 short films at Nova Cinema and Cinemateket.
Trondheim Calling
29 – 31 January, 2026: One of Norway's best showcases for unsigned talent, Trondheim Calling returns to the city once again. Many local bands feature across 9 stages at this three-day festival. Festival passes and day passes are available rather than entry to individual events. By day, a music industry conference takes place.
Kosmorama International Film Festival
2 – 8 March, 2026: Established in 2004, Kosmorama is Trondheim’s very own film festival. It aims to strengthen the film industry in central Norway and contribute to innovation at the intersection of culture and commerce.
Screens at Prinsens kino are turned over to the festival for the week, with a program of films from morning to evening over the course of seven days. People attending a film can expect to see the world from a new perspective.
Nidaros Blues
Unfortunately there will be no Nidaros Blues festival this year.
The committee stated: “We will conduct a thorough evaluation of the festival before we set a new course for the future. We will look at the entire concept, which has largely remained unchanged for 26 years, to adapt it to today’s reality. The cultural offer in Trondheim is completely different than when we started, so now it’s about finding its right place.”
JazzFest
5 – 9 May, 2026: Dating back to 1980, JazzFest is built around the exciting jazz scene in the city and the world-renowned jazz course at NTNU. Trondheim Jazz Festival features mainly contemporary and exiting Scandinavian and European jazz acts, along with a series of popular lectures.
Neon
5 – 6 June, 2026: After being held at EC. Dahls Arena for four years, Neon is moving for its 2026 edition to a new festival arena at Ladesletta. Zara Larsson, Lewis Capaldi, and Black Eyed Peas are among the headliners.
Ladehammer
12 – 13 June, 2026: The Ladehammer festival makes a welcome return to the Trondheim events calendar for 2026. Organisers promise local music, art, food, and drink, with the city’s best view.
St. Olav’s Festival (Olavsfest)
28 July – 3 August, 2026: More than one thousand years since Trondheim was the Viking capital of Norway, this cultural festival attracts many thousands of visitors to the city.
There’s a diverse range of events held throughout the week, although the highlight for the most is the medieval market in the grounds of Nidaros Cathedral.
The theme of Olavsfest 2026 is truth: “A vast, complex, and fundamental concept. Those who get to define the truth also gain power. And for that very reason, the struggle over truth is one of the most important issues of our time. Who owns the truth?”
Many Trondheim locals and visitors enjoy the music festival element of Olavsfest. Åge Aleksandersen and Astrid S are among the artists on the line up for 2026.
Trøndelag Food Festival
6 – 8 August, 2026: Timed to follow St. Olav’s Festival, this celebration of local food transforms the centre of Trondheim into one big diner. More than 80 exhibitors from across central Norway show off the best local food the region has to offer.
Pstereo
21 – 22 August, 2026: A three-day showcase of new music with some established names thrown in too, Pstereo takes place by the river in the shadow of Nidaros Cathedral. In 2026, Pstereo celebrates its 20th year.
The festival usually sells out in advance, with individual day tickets available for a little longer. Headliners for the 2026 event include Skunk Anansie and Highasakite.
Blues in Hell
3 – 6 September, 2026: This blues festival is held over four stages at the Scandic Hotel in the village of Hell, a short walk from Trondheim Værnes Airport.
First held in 1992 as a small local festival with only Norwegian acts, Blues in Hell is back for its 34th edition with Norwegian and international acts. Expect a mix of styles from acoustic blues, via jump, swing, blues rock to modern next generation blues.
Festningen
4 – 5 September, 2026: The biggest music festival in Central Norway has firmly established itself on the cultural calendar over the past few years.
Held in the grounds of Kristiansten fortress, Festningen 2026 will welcome Ari Bajgora, Erik og Kriss, Sigrid, Soppgirobygget, Synne Vo, Tobias Sten, and Undergrunn to Trondheim.
Transform: Trondheim World Festival
7 – 13 September, 2026: The multicultural community of Trondheim celebrates the diversity in society at this week-long festival, with multiple events held across various venues.
Trondheim Pride
TBC September, 2026: Central Norway's biggest LGBT+ event takes place over a week and a half in every autumn. Lectures, debates and exhibitions run through the course of the festival, which culminates in a colourful parade though the city streets on the final weekend. Exact dates for the 2026 festival are to be confirmed.
Trondheim Chamber Music Festival
20 – 27 September, 2025: Since its establishment in 1996, the Trondheim Chamber Music Festival (Kammermusikkfestival) has aimed to find a balance between being innovative, audience friendly and presenting a program of high quality. It is now firmly established on the Trondheim festival scene.
Wonderful information! I have been to Norway many times since having a Norwegian AFS student sister in 1964-65. We take turns visiting each other. We have involved our spouses, our children and now our grandchildren in this extended family and look forward to every trip to Norway and they to texas. They have taken us from Nordkapp and the Hurtigruten all the way to Langesund in the south and in between, as they live in Heimdal, near Trondheim. I was told by an Olso shopkeeper that I’ve been to more of norway than she has! It is all beautiful, as are the people!
Wonderful information! I have been to Norway many times since having a Norwegian AFS student sister in 1964-65. We take turns visiting each other. We have involved our spouses, our children and now our grandchildren in this extended family and look forward to every trip to Norway and they to texas. They have taken us from Nordkapp and the Hurtigruten all the way to Langesund in the south and in between, as they live in Heimdal, near Trondheim. I was told by an Olso shopkeeper that I’ve been to more of norway than she has! It is all beautiful, as are the people!
The World Rally Cross in Hell.