What is Riddu Riddu?
Riddu Riddu is an international indigenous festival held each July in Manndalen, a small village in Kåfjord municipality in the Troms region of Northern Norway. The name means "small storm on the coast" in Sámi, and the festival was founded in 1991 by young coastal Sámi who wanted to reclaim pride in their indigenous heritage.
Today, Riddu Riddu is recognised as one of the most important indigenous festivals in Europe. Artists, performers and participants from indigenous communities across the globe gather to share their cultures through music, theatre, visual art, film, seminars, literature and workshops. The festival site sits by the Lyngen fjord, one of Northern Norway's most spectacular natural settings.
Since 2009, Riddu Riddu has held "knutepunkt" status (national hub festival) from the Norwegian government, giving it a permanent place on the national cultural budget. The festival is a non-profit organisation run by Riddu Riddu Festivála AS, with around 200 volunteers helping out each year.
Indigenous music from around the world, featuring Sámi joik, world music and experimental performances. Past artists include Mari Boine, Pussy Riot (2024), Buffy Sainte-Marie and Hedningarna.
Performances, installations and visual art by indigenous artists from multiple continents. Both indoor and outdoor shows take place throughout the festival.
Talks, panel discussions and hands-on workshops on indigenous rights, culture and identity. Film screenings and art exhibitions are also part of the programme.
A dedicated children's festival and a youth camp (ages 15–18) run throughout the event. The family camp offers a quieter camping area for families with children.
Tickets for Riddu Riddu 2026
Tickets are sold through AntiTickets, TicketCo and the festival's website riddu.no. International credit and debit cards are accepted. All tickets include free tent camping on the festival site.
Full access to all five festival days. Early bird NOK 1,700 (approx. EUR 150), regular price NOK 2,000 (approx. EUR 175). Includes free tent camping.
Child ticket (age 3–13): NOK 850. Youth ticket (14–17): NOK 950. Family pass: NOK 2,400 (1+3) or NOK 4,400 (2+3).
Campervan/caravan parking on festival grounds: NOK 600 (limited spots, no electricity). Family camp has free campervan parking.
Buy via AntiTickets, TicketCo or riddu.no.
You do not need to book a camping spot separately. Simply bring your own tent and sleeping bag. Bonfires are allowed at the camp, but large sound systems are not.
How to reach Kåfjord
Riddu Riddu takes place in Manndalen, Kåfjord municipality, approximately 150 km from Tromsø and 250 km from Alta. The most common route for international visitors is to fly into Tromsø and travel onwards by bus or rental car.
Tromsø Airport Langnes has direct flights from Oslo (2 hours), Stockholm, Helsinki and London (seasonal). SAS, Norwegian and Widerøe operate domestic routes. From Tromsø, take the bus to Manndalen.
Public buses run from Tromsø and Alta to Manndalen. Check timetables at svipper.no. The journey from Tromsø takes approximately 2.5 hours.
Free parking at Løkvoll, about 2 km from the festival site. A shuttle bus runs Thursday–Sunday. Paid parking (NOK 75 per entry) is available closer to the grounds. No parking on the festival site itself.
Direct flights from Oslo Gardermoen take about 2 hours. Book early for best prices. From Tromsø, rent a car or take the public bus to Manndalen via svipper.no.
Kåfjord is remote, and bus schedules can be infrequent. Renting a car at Tromsø Airport gives you maximum flexibility. The drive takes about 2 hours along the E6 highway and passes through stunning fjord landscapes.
Camping and accommodation
All festival tickets include free tent camping. The festival offers three separate camp areas, each with toilets and water stations. Camps are open from Tuesday to Sunday during the festival week.
The main camping area for adult attendees. Age limit 18 years. Bonfires allowed, but no large sound systems or generators. No pets.
For families and those who prefer quiet surroundings. Quiet hours after 11 PM. Pets allowed with consideration for others. Free campervan parking available.
A dedicated camp for young people aged 15 to 18, with its own programme of workshops and activities throughout the festival.
Showers at Centre for Northern Peoples. Open Wednesday–Saturday 10:00–13:00 and 17:00–21:00, Sunday 10:00–14:00. Cost: NOK 20. Free for volunteers.
Indoor accommodation nearby
If you prefer a bed and roof, several options are available within a short drive: Løkvollstranda Camping (5 min), Birtavarre Camping (15 min), Manndalen Sjøbuer, Lyngen Lodge (45 min) and Håkons Gjestehus (30 min). Book well in advance, as options are limited.
24 hours of daylight
Kåfjord lies at 69°N, well above the Arctic Circle. In July, the sun never sets. This creates a unique festival atmosphere where concerts and activities continue through the bright northern night. The midnight sun is one of the most memorable aspects of the Riddu Riddu experience.
Continuous daylight from late May to late July. At midnight, the sun hangs low over the Lyngen Alps, casting a golden light across the fjord. Temperatures range from 10 to 25°C.
Bring a proper sleep mask. Your tent will be bright inside at all hours. Choose a sheltered spot and consider an eye mask plus earplugs for the best rest.
Packing guide for Riddu Riddu
Riddu Riddu is an outdoor festival in the Arctic, so proper preparation makes all the difference. The festival does not rent out tents or sleeping equipment.
- Tent (the festival does not provide them)
- Sleeping bag (rated for 10–25°C nights)
- Sleeping pad
- Sleep mask (essential for midnight sun)
- Layered clothing (10–25°C range)
- Waterproof jacket and trousers
- Warm fleece or wool layer
- Sunglasses and sunscreen (SPF 30+)
- Sturdy closed-toe shoes
- Reusable water bottle (free refill stations)
- Mosquito repellent
- Toiletries and towel
- Cash and bank card (limited ATM on site)
- Coca-Cola is not sold at the festival (environmental protest)
- Free drinking water at stations across the site
- Reusable bamboo thermos cups sold with free coffee refills
- Food served in compostable palm-leaf bowls
Practical information for visitors
Food vendors on-site Thursday–Sunday, 09:00–01:00. Beer and wine in a designated area (18+, coupon-based). Two grocery shops at Løkvoll (2 km away), open 08:00–22:00.
Festival area after midnight: 15 years. Háše duohken bar: 18 years. Báldalávvu after 00:30: 18 years. Festival Camp: 18 years. No general age limit during daytime.
Red Cross medical tent on site. Security staff in yellow vests. Emergency numbers: ambulance 113, police 112, fire 110. Festival security: +47 40 17 60 50.
Phone: +47 971 39 493. Email: [email protected]. Website: riddu.no. Drones are prohibited on the entire festival site.
Cards are accepted at food and drink vendors. An ATM is available near the ticket booth. Having some Norwegian cash (NOK) is recommended as a backup, especially at the outdoor market.
Volunteer at Riddu Riddu
Riddu Riddu depends on approximately 200 volunteers each year. Volunteering is a great way to experience the festival, meet people from indigenous communities worldwide and contribute to the event.
Minimum age 16. Work 16 hours during the festival. In return: meals during shifts, festival pass, free camping, free showers and a festival t-shirt.
Minimum age 18. Work at least 25 hours. Benefits include meals, festival pass, accommodation and the opportunity to shape the festival year-round.
Apply at riddu.no/join-us or email [email protected]. International volunteers are welcome.
Frequently asked questions about Riddu Riddu
- Riddu Riddu is an international indigenous festival held annually in Manndalen, Kåfjord in Northern Norway. The name means "small storm on the coast" in Sámi. Founded in 1991 by young coastal Sámi, the festival celebrates indigenous culture through music, theatre, art, film, seminars and literature. It is one of Europe's most important indigenous festivals.
- Riddu Riddu 2026 takes place July 8–12 in Manndalen, Kåfjord municipality, Troms region, Northern Norway. The festival site is at Centre for Northern Peoples (Senter for nordlige folk), NO-9144 Samuelsberg.
- Festival pass: NOK 1,700 early bird (approx. EUR 150) or NOK 2,000 regular (approx. EUR 175). Child (3–13): NOK 850. Youth (14–17): NOK 950. Family pass: NOK 2,400 (1 adult + 3 children) or NOK 4,400 (2 adults + 3 children). All tickets include free tent camping.
- Tickets are sold via AntiTickets (riddu.antitickets.com), TicketCo (ridduriddu.ticketco.events) and the festival website riddu.no. International credit and debit cards are accepted.
- Yes. The festival needs around 200 volunteers. Veahkki (age 16+, 16 hours) and Bargi (age 18+, 25 hours) positions are available. Volunteers receive meals, festival pass, free camping and showers. Apply via riddu.no/join-us or email [email protected]. International volunteers are welcome.
- Fly to Tromsø Airport (TOS), 150 km from the festival. Direct flights from Oslo (2 hours), Stockholm and Helsinki. From Tromsø, take a public bus via svipper.no (approx. 2.5 hours) or rent a car (approx. 2 hours via E6). Alta Airport (ALF) is 250 km away.
- Free parking at Løkvoll, about 2 km from the grounds. Shuttle bus runs Thursday–Sunday. Paid parking (NOK 75 per entry) closer to the site, open 10:00–01:00. No parking on the festival grounds themselves. Sleeping in your car at the car park is not allowed.
- Yes. Kåfjord is above the Arctic Circle (69°N), and there is 24-hour daylight in July. The midnight sun creates a unique atmosphere. Bring a sleep mask for your tent.
- Yes. All festival tickets include free tent camping. There are three camps: Festival Camp (18+), Family Camp (quiet after 11 PM) and Youth Camp (15–18). You must bring your own tent and sleeping bag.
- Yes. Showers at Centre for Northern Peoples. Open Wednesday–Saturday 10:00–13:00 and 17:00–21:00, Sunday 10:00–14:00. Cost: NOK 20 per shower. Free for volunteers.
- July temperatures range from 10 to 25°C. Weather can change quickly, so pack layers: t-shirt, warm fleece, waterproof jacket and sturdy shoes. Bring sunscreen (SPF 30+), sunglasses and mosquito repellent.
- Yes. Løkvollstranda Camping (5 min), Birtavarre Camping (15 min), Manndalen Sjøbuer, Lyngen Lodge (45 min) and Håkons Gjestehus (30 min). Options are limited, so book well in advance.