Entertainment in Oslo
Entertainment in Oslo is usually split between outdoor pursuits and nightlife. Picnics in the park or hikes among the hills are popular in evenings and weekends. Oslo’s many restaurants, cafes, nightclubs, cinemas and theatres are always full. Due to the high cost of alcohol, many choose to have parties at home, or at least to begin drinking at home with pre-parties, to be followed by a visit to bars or dance clubs.
Festivals, which are a perfect forum for combining culture, entertainment and the outdoors, are extremely popular in Norway. The summer months are filled with music festivals that go on until the autumn. Outdoor concerts are often held down by Aker Brygge or at the top of St. Hanshaugen Park, an old public park on a high hill in central Oslo. Several of these festivals are particularly for youth or the “young at heart” crowd.
Since the Oslo Opera opened, its opera, ballet and concert performances are sold out months in advance. Oslo has several theatres and the Nationaltheater is a good place to catch international and Norwegian theatre, such as Ibsen. But comedic theatre is more popular than drama so there are even more choices for comedy shows, as long as you understand Norwegian.
Oslo has several movie theatres that feature mostly Hollywood films, though there is a rich and active Norwegian and Scandinavian film industry that is represented. For a list of movie theatres, check Oslo Kino for names, addresses and show times.
Being a conservative society tied to the Lutheran church, you won’t find casinos in which to gamble your money. However, there are bingo halls and video arcades where you can try your luck. It is also very popular to play the lottery.
Festivals, which are a perfect forum for combining culture, entertainment and the outdoors, are extremely popular in Norway. The summer months are filled with music festivals that go on until the autumn. Outdoor concerts are often held down by Aker Brygge or at the top of St. Hanshaugen Park, an old public park on a high hill in central Oslo. Several of these festivals are particularly for youth or the “young at heart” crowd.
Since the Oslo Opera opened, its opera, ballet and concert performances are sold out months in advance. Oslo has several theatres and the Nationaltheater is a good place to catch international and Norwegian theatre, such as Ibsen. But comedic theatre is more popular than drama so there are even more choices for comedy shows, as long as you understand Norwegian.
Oslo has several movie theatres that feature mostly Hollywood films, though there is a rich and active Norwegian and Scandinavian film industry that is represented. For a list of movie theatres, check Oslo Kino for names, addresses and show times.
Being a conservative society tied to the Lutheran church, you won’t find casinos in which to gamble your money. However, there are bingo halls and video arcades where you can try your luck. It is also very popular to play the lottery.
