What is Oslo World?
Oslo World is an international music festival that brings the world to Oslo every autumn. Founded in 1994, the festival is one of Europe's most acclaimed platforms for music from Latin America, Africa, Asia and the SWANA region (South-West Asia and North Africa).
Concerts take place at over 20 established venues spread across central Oslo, from large concert halls like Oslo Konserthus and Sentrum Scene to intimate clubs like Cosmopolite and Kafé Hærverk. The programme spans traditional folk music to modern pop, hip hop, electronica and experimental music.
The festival runs annually in week 44, typically from late October to early November. Beyond concerts, the programme includes seminars, art exhibitions and club nights. Each year, Oslo World adopts an overarching theme that shapes the entire programme, such as freedom, utopia, solidarity, rebels or forbidden songs.
Artists from over 50 countries. The programme covers everything from African desert blues and Latin American folk-pop to Asian hip hop and Middle Eastern funk.
Seminars, art exhibitions, film screenings and panel debates. Each year's theme adds depth and context to the concert programme.
Barnas verdensdager (Children's World Days) and Oslo World UNG (youth programme) offer concerts and workshops for younger audiences.
Oslo World is Eco-Lighthouse certified (Miljøfyrtårn) and uses existing venues across Oslo, reducing the need for temporary constructions.
20+ stages across Oslo
Unlike most festivals, Oslo World uses established venues across the city. You move between different stages throughout the festival, each with its own character and acoustics. Most are within walking distance of each other in central Oslo.
Arbeidersamfunnets plass 1. One of Oslo's most iconic concert venues with capacity for 1,750. Functionalist style with excellent acoustics.
Vogts gate 64 (Torshov). Oslo's dedicated world music and jazz venue. An intimate space that has been a cornerstone of the festival for years.
Munkedamsveien 14. Norway's largest concert hall with over 1,400 seats. Used for the festival's biggest shows.
Olaf Ryes plass 11, Grünerløkka. An intimate venue popular for acoustic and experimental concerts, with great atmosphere.
Additional venues
The festival also uses Kulturkirken Jakob, Victoria Nasjonal Jazzscene, MUNCH, Riksscenen, Kafé Hærverk, Nordic Black Theatre, Dansens Hus, Deichman Bjørvika, Vega Scene, Goldie, Jaeger Oslo, Baba Bar and Byens Tak, among others.
Since concerts are at different locations, check the programme and plan your evening route. Most venues are walkable from each other in central Oslo (10–15 minutes).
How to buy tickets
Oslo World sells tickets per concert, not as a combined festival pass. This means you choose the specific concerts you want to see and buy individual tickets for each one.
Buy tickets for each concert via osloworld.no/festival/program. Prices typically range from NOK 200 to 600 (approx. EUR 18–55).
Some concerts sell via Ticketmaster, others through the venue's own system. Always check osloworld.no for the correct purchase link for each concert.
Only buy through osloworld.no or the venue's official ticket outlet. Avoid unofficial resale sites that may charge inflated prices.
Planning to attend as a group? Contact [email protected] for group packages and special arrangements for 10 or more people.
Many venues are intimate with limited capacity. Concerts at Cosmopolite and Parkteatret can sell out within hours of going on sale. Check the programme early and buy tickets as soon as they are released.
What to expect
Oslo World 2026 spans six days from Tuesday 27 October to Sunday 1 November. The programme is released gradually from late summer, with the biggest names announced first. Each year, the festival adopts an overarching theme that shapes the curation.
The main programme features international artists on 20+ stages. Everything from grand concert hall experiences to intimate late-night club sets.
Panel discussions and seminars tied to the festival's annual theme. Conversations about music, culture and freedom of expression with international guests.
Previous headliners
Over the years, Oslo World has presented legends including Paco de Lucía (Spain), Miriam Makeba (South Africa), Angélique Kidjo (Benin), Ali Farka Touré (Mali) and Cesária Évora (Cape Verde). More recently, artists like Fatoumata Diawara, Ali Sethi, The Congos and Gustavo Santaolalla have performed.
Oslo World uses Broadcast as its official festival app. Free, no login required. Browse the programme, read artist bios, bookmark your favourites and receive notifications about schedule changes during the festival week.
Transport for festival visitors
Oslo is compact and well-connected by public transport. Most festival venues are in the city centre, easily reached on foot, by tram or by metro.
Oslo Gardermoen Airport (OSL) has direct flights from most European capitals. The Airport Express Train (Flytoget) reaches Oslo Central Station in 19 minutes. Regular NSB trains take 25 minutes.
Oslo's metro (T-bane) and tram system covers most of the city. Download the Ruter app to buy a Zone 1 ticket (NOK 42 single, NOK 117 for 24 hours).
Most central venues are within 10–15 minutes' walk of each other. Sentrum Scene, Oslo Konserthus, Kulturkirken Jakob and Parkteatret are all in the inner city.
Cosmopolite is on Torshov, slightly north of the centre. Take bus 34 or 54 from the city centre (10 min ride). Check the Ruter app for timetables.
Practical information for visitors
Expect temperatures between 3 and 8°C. Rain is common. Bring a waterproof jacket, warm layers and comfortable shoes for walking between venues.
Oslo has a wide range of hotels. Central options near festival venues include areas around Jernbanetorget, Karl Johans gate and Grünerløkka. Budget hostels like Anker Hostel and HI Oslo are also available.
During the festival, Oslo World moves to Baba Bar in Strøget (Storgata 13). Buy merchandise, get information and meet the festival team.
Norway is largely cashless. All venues accept Visa and Mastercard. Contactless payments and Apple Pay/Google Pay are widely used. Cash is rarely needed.
Oslo World's greatest strength is introducing audiences to artists they have never heard of. Take a chance on an unfamiliar name. That is often where the most memorable experiences happen.
Volunteer at Oslo World
Oslo World needs approximately 200 volunteers each year. Volunteering is a fantastic way to experience the festival from the inside and meet international artists.
- Venue hosting (before, during and after concerts)
- Festival catalogue distribution
- Artist driving (manual gearbox driving licence required)
- Community promotion
- Artist hosting (logistics from arrival to departure)
- Festival pass with free access to most concerts
- Closing party with food and drinks
- Discounted tickets at partner venues year-round
- Meet international artists
- Professional festival experience
Registration opens in spring. Contact [email protected] for questions about volunteering.
Oslo World for families
Oslo World's children's festival runs just before the main event at Grønland Kulturstasjon (Tøyenbekken 5). Concerts, workshops and activities for children and families. Free or low admission.
Concerts and events designed for younger audiences, offering a safe and welcoming introduction to international music.
Frequently asked questions about Oslo World
- Oslo World 2026 runs from 27 October to 1 November. Concerts take place at over 20 venues across central Oslo, including Sentrum Scene, Cosmopolite, Oslo Konserthus, Parkteatret and Kulturkirken Jakob.
- Oslo World presents music from Latin America, Africa, Asia and the Middle East. Genres span world music, folk, pop, hip hop, electronic, jazz and experimental. Around 300 artists from 50+ countries perform across 20+ stages.
- Oslo World was founded in 1994 by Rikskonsertene (now Kulturtanken) under the name Verden i Norden. It was renamed Oslo World Music Festival in 2002 and shortened to Oslo World in 2017. Since 2011, it has been an independent foundation.
- Yes. Oslo World needs around 200 volunteers each year. Tasks include venue hosting, artist driving, catalogue distribution and promotion. Volunteers get a festival pass with concert access. Registration opens in spring at osloworld.no.
- Tickets are sold per concert through osloworld.no/festival/program. Some concerts sell via Ticketmaster, others through the venue's own system. There is no combined festival pass. Prices typically range from NOK 200 to 600 per concert.
- No. Oslo World does not offer a combined festival pass. You buy individual tickets for each concert you want to attend. Volunteers receive a festival pass with access to most concerts.
- The programme is released gradually from late summer. The biggest names are announced first. Follow osloworld.no and the festival's social media for updates.
- Yes. Oslo World uses the Broadcast app (free, no login needed). It has the full programme, artist info and lets you create your own schedule with bookmarks and notifications.
- Most venues are within walking distance in central Oslo (10–15 minutes). For venues further out like Cosmopolite, use the Ruter app for bus and tram tickets. A single Zone 1 ticket (NOK 42) covers all public transport in Oslo.
- Late October in Oslo is typically 3–8°C with occasional rain. Bring a waterproof jacket, warm layers and comfortable walking shoes. Indoor concerts are of course weather-independent.
- Hotels near Jernbanetorget, Karl Johans gate or Grünerløkka give easy access to most venues. Late October is not peak season, so hotel prices are generally lower than in summer. Budget options include Anker Hostel and HI Oslo Haraldsheim.
- Norway is largely cashless. All venues, restaurants and public transport accept Visa and Mastercard. Contactless payment and Apple Pay/Google Pay are widely used. Cash is rarely needed.
- During the festival, Oslo World moves to Baba Bar in Strøget (Storgata 13). You can buy merchandise, pick up information and meet the festival team there.