Bergen International Festival

The Bergen International Festival, established in 1953, is the flagship of music and theatre festivals in the Nordic countries.

A hub for the Northern European arts scene, the festival has a multifaceted programme profile renowned for world premieres and new productions of music, opera, theatre and dance. Unique venues, including Norwegian composer Edvard Grieg’s own home and the 750-year-old royal hall Håkonshallen, constitute a rich historical framework around a vibrant festival which every year gives audiences hundreds of live, exploratory events on dozens of stages indoors and out.

The festival is under the patronage of His Majesty King Harald V.

We have created guides for the colourful, vast landscape that is the festival programme. We believe it has something for every taste and occasion, and by arranging the events under the three terms Festivities, Foundations and Friction, we hope to make it easier to find what you are looking for.

Festivities
Entertainment and surprises. For young and old. Playful scenes in the streets and events at new and familiar venues broad appeal. Experiences for your head, heart and feet.

Foundations
The best of the best in the classical art tradition. Tradition and renewal, depth and reflection. Performances and concerts with a history.

Friction
Reckless and shrewd, experimenting and exploring. New technology and boundless artistic landscapes.