Spending Easter in Oslo?
Easter for Norwegians is often synonymous with cross country skiing in the sun, eating oranges and lamb (not at the same time!), reading crime novels, and getting a big Easter egg, filled with candy and other treats. What are your Easter plans?
Photo: Didrick Stenersen/Visit Oslo
How to celebrate Easter in Norway's largest city?
We are sharing some tips of our own tips and some from VisitOslo, as there are many activities you can do during the holidays.
How about an urban Easter walk in the city, with art, history, and early spring flowering, dine-in or take-out from your favorite restaurant, and enjoying the sun? Happy Oslo Easter!
How about testing out the saunas of Oslo?
Have you been swimming in the Oslo fjord before? April might not offer the warmest temperatures in the fjord, but the sauna will certainly warm you up! Test out some of the sauna options in the city, and experience a whole new culture!
KOK Oslo, SALT, Badstuforeningen, Bademaschinen Oslo Fjord Spa offers a variety of drop-in, scheduled, private, group sauna sessions. Maybe you even want to try a sauna-boat, that takes you out on the fjord? Gather some fellow Oslopolitans, and get swimming this easter!
Have you REALLY been on a tour of Oslo?
Nowadays, you can discover Oslo in new ways, through digital maps, apps, and audioguides! These tools will help you get to know the city - turning you into a true Oslopolitan. Using these digital tools will help you explore the city in your own time. This is a nice way to learn something new while also getting in some physical exercise and fresh air. Maybe you can be a tour guide for international friends and family when the borders open up again!
Check out Oslo Spex - a do-it-yourself sightseeing app, and walk the city with the famous Henrik Ibsen. Interested in street art? Check out Visit Oslo's guide to urban art.
You can also join guided tours around the city, in the forest, or with a specific theme. What about a culinary guided tour through Oslo, or exploring "marka"?
Or what about discovering the Oslo fjord?
Join one Brim Explorer's tours in Oslo, either for Yoga, dinner og after-work? Thanks to their hybrid-electric engine, there is minimal noise and vibration that interferes with nature and marine life. It also makes for a quiet experience for the passengers and makes for a great way to tour the fjords.
Public holidays during Easter
If this is your first Easter in Norway, be aware that the country has several public holidays, and most people will take extra time off from work.
In Norwegian, Easter is known as påske. The period begins with Palm Sunday, known as palmesøndag (April 2nd, 2023). The public holidays are Maundy Thursday - skjærtorsdag (April 6, 2023) and Good Friday - langfredag (April 7, 2023).
Then, the Saturday of Easter weekend (påskeaften, not a public holiday) precedes Easter Sunday (påskedag or 1. påskedag) on April 9, 2022.
The final public holiday of the period, Easter Monday is known as 2. påskedag (April 10, 2022).
That means that most businesses and shops are closed between Thursday April 6 and Monday April 10, with the exception of Saturday (påskeaften).
"The worst person in the world" tour of Oslo?
Have you seen the Oscar-nominated "The worst person in the world", directed by Joachim Trier? Explore Oslo as Julie through Visit Oslo's guide to the most iconic places from the film.
Museums, outdoor sculptures, and art parks
Have you been to any of the museums located in Oslo or in the neighboring cities? See the opening hours of all of the museums here.
Oslo has several major outdoor attractions which offer a good replenishment of both arts, history, and short-distance nature experiences. Vigeland Sculpture Park, at the heart of Frognerparken. Park contains more than 200 sculptures by Gustav Vigeland in bronze, granite, and cast iron, including The Angry Boy, The Monolith, and many other sculptures.
Ekebergparken Sculpture Park is another great place to explore during Easter. The artworks that are spread around the whole park are by internationally renowned artists like Louise Bourgeois, James Turrell, Dan Graham, Sarah Lucas, Damien Hirst, and Roni Horn.
How about a short drive to Kistefos Museum in Jevnaker? See the Twist and other renowned sculptures outside. The museum itself opens April 30, but the outdoor sculpture park is open.
Visiting the Rose Castle up in Holmenkollen is well worth a visit. Experience art and strong stories from World War II in a very special setting.
Learn the most important vocabulary of Norwegian Easter
- Påske - Easter
- Påskeferie - the Easter holidays
- Påskeharen - the Easter Bunny
- Påskeeggjakt - Easter egg hunt
- Påskekylling - Easter chicks
- Påskekrim - Crime novels and series consumed at Easter
- God påske - Happy Easter
- Lam - lamb
- Kvikk Lunsj - a Norwegian chocolate similar to a Kit Kat
- Appelsin - oranges
- Marsipan - marzipan
- Hytte - cabin
- Solvegg - the outdoor wall of a cabin that gets the most direct sunlight
- Solbrun - tanned
- Snø - snow
Not ready to let go of the snow and winter?
There are still skiing possibilities near Oslo, you can take a day trip there using public transportation or private cars.
First - have you been to SNØ in Lørenskog? Just 17 minutes from Oslo you can cross country ski, snowboard or downhill ski, or even try glacier climbing! They have special activities for adults and children during Easter, check out their program here.
Skimore in Tryvann /Oslo and in Kongsberg will be open all during Easter and well-worth a visit!
If you want a bit more mountainous, what about Norefjell Skisenter? Just 2,5 hours from Oslo, short enough for a day trip, but also with lots of accommodation options. Special activities for both adults and children throughout Easter.
Photo: Norefjell Skisenter

Do something you haven't done before
Did you know you can borrow camping equipment for free from Bua? What about borrowing a tent or a hammock and sleep outside at Grefsenkollen, with the view of the glowing city lights when falling asleep. On Finn.no, you might be able to find equipment being sold for an affordable price.
New Instagram post or Tik Tok video?
The city of Oslo is very picturesque and the architecture is stunning. How about a photoshoot with a friend or two at some of Oslo's most "instagrammable" spots. Create a new trend on Tik Tok when dancing with the sculptures in Vigeland Sculpture Park.
Don't want to go outside?
You can get to know the city, from the comfort of your own home. many of the museums in the Oslo region offers digital museum visits.
Or how about reading Harry Hole books by Jo Nesbø? Discover Oslo by reading the crime fictions books that have become popular across the world.
Photo of woman with bike: Bymiljøetaten/Oslo kommune
How about a concert or festival?
Inferno Metal Festival is on for the first time in two years, but here are also other concerts you can check out.
Or are you into gaming? Check out the Gathering, hosted in Hamar at Vikingskipet, its the second largest computer party in the world (second to DreamHack).
Discover a new favorite restaurant or bar
Sick and tired cooking and are food-uninspired? Check out the guide for restaurants and bars in the city of Oslo, and see if you can discover new favorites!
Check out the YR weather forecast for Oslo
Enjoy your city Easter - God påske!


Photo: Visit Oslo/Frode Sandbech