What is Ultima?
Ultima (officially Ultima Oslo Contemporary Music Festival) is the Nordic region's largest festival for contemporary music and one of the leading festivals of its kind worldwide. Founded in 1991, the festival presents new music, experimental sound, dance, opera and cross-disciplinary projects over ten intensive days each September.
What makes Ultima unique is the extraordinary range of venues. Concerts take place at locations ranging from the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet and Oslo Konserthus to Kulturkirken Jakob, Emanuel Vigeland's mausoleum and outdoor stages at Jernbanetorget. The festival bridges major cultural institutions and independent artists in a single programme.
Ultima is a foundation with 18 member institutions, all professional cultural organisations that collaborate to create the festival programme. H.R.H. Crown Prince Haakon of Norway is the festival's patron. The festival is supported by Arts Council Norway, the City of Oslo and Sparebankstiftelsen DNB.
Newly commissioned works, electronic music, sound installations and improvisation. Ultima commissions new pieces from Norwegian and international composers each year.
Modern dance, newly composed opera and experimental music theatre. Collaborations with Black Box theatre and the Norwegian National Opera ensure world-class productions.
Site-specific sound works placed in museums, churches and public spaces. Many installations are free and open throughout the festival period.
Drawing concerts, puppet theatre and children's workshops make the festival accessible to the youngest visitors. Several family events are free of charge.
Types of events at Ultima
Ultima is far more than a traditional concert festival. The programme spans orchestral premieres to sound installations you can walk through, from experimental opera to puppet theatre for children.
Major works performed by Oslo Philharmonic, Norwegian Chamber Orchestra and Oslo Sinfonietta at Oslo Konserthus and the Opera House. World premieres alongside canonical contemporary music.
Site-specific audio works in museums, churches and public areas. Often free and open over multiple days. A distinctive way to experience music through space.
Modern dance and performance art in collaboration with Black Box teater and international choreographers. Works that explore the boundaries between music, movement and visual art.
Artist conversations, panel discussions and guided listening sessions add context to the concerts. Usually free and open to all.
Highlights from recent editions
In 2025, Ultima featured Kronos Quartet, Ensemble Contrechamps, a world premiere ballet by Wayne McGregor at the Opera House, and Nordic Voices performing Stockhausen's iconic vocal work Stimmung. Joanna Bailie's commissioned work City Lines was based on 280 field recordings from Oslo metro and tram stops.
Start with the free sound installations and outdoor events. They require no background knowledge and provide an immersive introduction to the festival. The most unexpected encounters are often the most rewarding.
25+ venues across Oslo
Ultima uses over 25 different locations throughout Oslo. Each venue is chosen to complement the specific work being performed. The variety of spaces is part of the artistic experience.
Norway's premier opera house in Bjørvika, right next to Oslo Central Station. Used for large-scale opera, ballet and orchestral works.
Home of the Oslo Philharmonic. Major orchestral concerts and chamber music. Centrally located in the Vika district.
Art museum on Høvikodden with its own concert hall. Combines visual art and music. Reached by bus 160 from Nationaltheatret (30 min).
A darkened mausoleum with extraordinary acoustics. One of the world's most unique concert spaces. Used for intimate performances and sound works.
Additional venues
Sentralen, Black Box teater, Kulturkirken Jakob, MUNCH, Nasjonalmuseet, Riksscenen, Vega Scene, Oslo domkirke, Deichman Bjørvika, Astrup Fearnley Museet, Atelier Nord, Det Norske Teatret, Vigelandmuseet, Goldie Bar & Scene and outdoor locations including Jernbanetorget.
How to buy tickets
Ultima sells tickets per event, not as a combined festival pass. Prices vary by event and venue. Many events are free, especially sound installations, outdoor concerts and family workshops.
Buy per event at ultima.no. Prices vary. Popular concerts can sell out, so buy early.
Ultima's supporter membership gives 35% discount on all ticket purchases. The best option if you plan to attend multiple events during the festival.
Sound installations, outdoor concerts and several family activities are free of charge. No ticket needed. Check the programme on ultima.no for details.
A valid companion card (ledsagerkort) is accepted at all events where Ultima sells tickets. The companion pays only the ticket fee.
If you plan to see three or more ticketed events, the ultiMATE membership pays for itself through the 35% ticket discount. Sign up at ultima.no.
Transport for festival visitors
Ultima's 25+ venues are spread across Oslo, but most are in the city centre and easily reached by public transport. Oslo has an efficient metro, tram and bus network.
Oslo Gardermoen Airport (OSL) has direct flights from most European capitals. The Airport Express Train (Flytoget) reaches Oslo Central Station in 19 minutes.
Download the Ruter app to buy public transport tickets. Zone 1 covers all of Oslo (NOK 42 single, NOK 117 for 24 hours).
Many central venues are within walking distance. Oslo City Bike stations are located across the centre. E-scooters are also available.
Henie Onstad Kunstsenter on Høvikodden is reached by bus 160 from Nationaltheatret (approximately 30 minutes).
Practical information for visitors
Oslo in September is typically 10–16°C. Dress in layers: t-shirt, jumper and a wind/waterproof jacket. Bring rain gear. Indoor concerts are naturally weather-independent.
September is off-peak for hotels in Oslo, meaning lower prices. Central hotels near Jernbanetorget, Karl Johan or Aker Brygge give walking distance to most venues. Double rooms from approx. NOK 900–1,500 per night.
Norway is largely cashless. All venues accept Visa and Mastercard. Contactless payment and Apple Pay/Google Pay are standard. Cash is rarely needed.
Office: Øvre Slottsgate 3, 0157 Oslo. Email: [email protected]. Website: ultima.no.
The 2026 programme is normally published in June at ultima.no. Subscribe to the newsletter to be notified when the programme is available.
Accessibility and universal design
Ultima received the Norwegian Accessibility Award (Tilgjengelighetsmerket) in autumn 2023, confirming that the festival meets standards for universal design. Since concerts are held at 25+ different venues, accessibility varies from location to location.
Major venues like the Opera House, Oslo Konserthus and Sentralen have full wheelchair access with lifts and accessible toilets. Older buildings like Emanuel Vigeland's museum may have limitations.
A valid companion card is accepted at all Ultima-ticketed events. The companion pays only the booking fee. Contact [email protected] in advance for specific arrangements.
Who is behind Ultima?
Ultima is a foundation with 18 member institutions, all professional cultural organisations. The festival is led by director and artistic director Heloisa Amaral. Chair of the board is Yngve Slettholm.
Oslo Philharmonic, Norwegian Chamber Orchestra, Norwegian National Opera and Ballet, Henie Onstad Kunstsenter, Black Box teater, Bit20 Ensemble, Riksscenen and Nasjonalmuseet, among others.
Arts Council Norway, City of Oslo, Sparebankstiftelsen DNB, Ernst von Siemens Music Foundation and the EU Creative Europe programme. H.R.H. Crown Prince Haakon is the festival's patron.
Frequently asked questions about Ultima
- Ultima (Ultima Oslo Contemporary Music Festival) is the Nordic region's largest festival for contemporary music. Founded in 1991, it takes place over ten days in September in Oslo, presenting 50+ events across 25+ venues. The festival covers contemporary music, sound art, dance, opera and experimental cross-disciplinary projects.
- Ultima 2026 takes place in September 2026. The exact dates are announced at ultima.no. The festival normally runs for ten days.
- Ultima is a foundation with 18 member institutions including Oslo Philharmonic, Norwegian Chamber Orchestra, Norwegian National Opera and Ballet and Henie Onstad Kunstsenter. The festival is supported by Arts Council Norway, City of Oslo and Sparebankstiftelsen DNB. H.R.H. Crown Prince Haakon is the patron.
- Ultima focuses on contemporary art music: newly composed works, electronic music, sound art, improvisation, experimental opera and cross-disciplinary projects. The festival presents both Norwegian and international composers and performers.
- Yes. Ultima offers drawing concerts, puppet theatre and children's workshops. Many of these are free. Check the programme at ultima.no for age recommendations.
- Tickets are sold per event at ultima.no. There is no combined festival pass. Popular concerts can sell out early. Many events (sound installations, outdoor concerts, family workshops) are free.
- ultiMATE is Ultima's supporter membership offering 35% discount on all ticket purchases. If you plan to see three or more ticketed events, the membership pays for itself.
- Yes. Several events each year are free, especially sound installations, outdoor concerts and family workshops. Free events normally do not require a ticket.
- The programme is normally published in June at ultima.no. Subscribe to Ultima's newsletter to be notified when it goes live.
- Over 25 venues across Oslo: Norwegian National Opera, Oslo Konserthus, Henie Onstad Kunstsenter, MUNCH, Sentralen, Black Box teater, Kulturkirken Jakob, Emanuel Vigeland Museum, Nasjonalmuseet, Riksscenen, Deichman Bjørvika and more. Outdoor events are also held.
- Most venues are in central Oslo, reachable by metro, tram or on foot. Download the Ruter app for public transport tickets (Zone 1 covers all of Oslo). Henie Onstad on Høvikodden is reached by bus 160 from Nationaltheatret.
- Oslo in September is typically 10–16°C. Dress in layers and bring a waterproof jacket. Indoor concerts are naturally weather-independent.
- Central hotels near Jernbanetorget, Karl Johan or Aker Brygge give short distances to most venues. September is off-peak, so prices are often lower than summer. Budget options include Anker Hostel and HI Oslo Haraldsheim.
- Ultima received the Norwegian Accessibility Award in 2023. Large venues like the Opera House and Oslo Konserthus have full access. Accessibility varies at smaller locations. Companion cards are accepted at all Ultima-ticketed events. Contact [email protected] for specific needs.
- Norway is largely cashless. All venues accept Visa and Mastercard. Contactless payment and Apple Pay/Google Pay are standard. Cash is rarely needed.