Entertainment Guide to Oslo

Oslo has become increasingly urban in the last few years. It is entertaining in itself to stroll down the main street of Karl Johans Gate to just watch the people and the street musicians at Egertorget, or chill out in the park in front of Stortinget. At the end of the street is the Royal Palace. On the Norwegian National Day, May 17th, the most spectacular sights are found here on Karl Johan.


Cinemas


Fortunately for visitors, movies are always shown in the original language with Norwegian subtitles. Dubbing is considered to be in extremely bad taste in Norway. Not far from the palace are two of the most popular cinemas, Saga and Klingenberg. Fortunately there are many cinemas and some of them have developed their own profiles; at Eldorado, you may applaud or scream quite a bit as you watch action movies and comedies; at Gimle (a west-end cinema), tears are more discreetly wiped away during European or Turkish films. Filmteatret shows famous quality films as well as new and alternative films in connection with festivals or theme weeks. IMAX at Aker Brygge shows spectacular special-effect movies (shaking seats, wide screen). Depending on where you are in the city, you can go to the grand Colosseum at Majorstuen, Vika, Felix at Aker Brygge, or Soria Moria at Torshov.

Amusement


You can experience live action by taking the free bus to the amusement park TusenFryd outside the city. It is a perfect day out for the entire family. TusenFryd actually means "a thousand pleasures".


Museums


Another thing for kids to enjoy is the Norwegian Technical Museum in Nydalen. It may sound boring, but it is made almost like theme park with lots of fun things to play with. You are expected to touch everything, run around, and just be a child having fun—and that goes for the adults, too. At Bygdøy, there is the Vikingskiphuset and Kon-Tiki. Botanisk Hage will be fun as well. At Sjølystsenteret there are always different trade fairs like the Fashion Week or Sjølystmarkedet.


Festivals


The famous Ibsenfestivalen is arranged every other year. Norwegian Wood is a rock festival that reminds you of a picnic with great musicians. Oslo Jazzfestival is also a nice excuse for a party and some great music.


Concerts


Oslo Music Hall is the home ground of the renowned Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra, but any big orchestra would perform here. Sometimes there are pop/rock concerts here with grown-up audiences and mature artists. Smaller concerts are arranged at Norsk Musikkhøgskole; here admission is usually free because the performers are students, but the standard is surprisingly good. Den Norske Opera is extremely popular, so make sure you reserve your tickets a long time in advance of the shows. Many concerts, especially organ concerts, are also held at Oslo Cathedral.


At Valle Hovin, there are big outdoor concerts with artists that can draw audiences of 35-40,000 people. The biggest indoor venue is Oslo Spektrum. It is perfect for large concerts as well as raves, intimate clubs and sports events. Rockefeller is the music hall most people relate to; this venue is of a size that makes it easy for the artists to communicate well with the audience, and that is why many artists give their very best at Rockefeller. When there are no concerts, the house is used for cult movies, erotic theme days, raves, clubbing—whatever entertains young, urban people. In the basement is a small place called John Dee. They have, for instance, theme nights in connection with the concerts at Rockefeller, or new and exciting but still relatively unknown bands on the stage.


Those who enjoy jazz, trip-hop, or anything new and alternative must check out Blå. After just a few years, it has become established as the most important, innovative and thrilling scene in town. There are regular concerts with both Norwegian and foreign talents and often a few surprises. The standards are always high. Exhibitions, happenings and theme nights are also arranged at Blå. If none of the above-mentioned are happening on a night, you can just chill out with a beer and enjoy the tasteful music from the DJ. Another place where you can just show up and expect live entertainment is Smuget. There are always shows on some of the many stages in the house; stand-up comedy, cabaret, blues, folk, rock—you name it. It is a bit mainstream, but the performers are always good. Many celebrities like to spend all their spare time here. So What! is a pub/alternative rock scene, popular with people in the music industry. It has an intimate atmosphere perfect for the kind of music that is played there. If you want to make sure you have heard the best DJs in Oslo—and sometimes in the world—Jazid Skansen and HeadOn are the places to go. If punk is your thing, you must check out Blitz with its concerts and other inexpensive forms of fun.


Theater


The most important one is the Nationaltheatret, but there are also many noteworthy smaller theaters. To see plays performed in English, check out Black Box, Oslo Nye, Nordic Black Theatre, or some of the plays during the Ibsenfestivalen. There are also excellent revue places like Victoria Teater, ABC Teatret or Chat Noir.


Outdoor Activities


We highly recommend a day in Frognerparken, where the great sculptures of Gustav Vigeland are on permanent display. Here you can play with frisbees and balls or just relax in the grass. On your way to the beautiful green areas surrounding Oslo, you should visit Frognerseteren, a great restaurant and nice café high above the city, with a great view. North of that area, you will find Holmenkollen, the famous ski jump, with a ski museum. Those who had rather bet on horses can have a field day at Bjerke Travbane. Ullevål Stadium hosts many major and minor sporting events. In the winter, you can go ice-skating and dancing on a beautifully lit spot in the middle of the main street Karl Johan to the sound of Last Christmas by Wham!