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  2. The 17th of May – Norway’s National Day

The 17th of May – Norway’s National Day

The 17th of May is Norway’s national day — and what a party it is! While many countries mark their national day with military parades, Norway’s celebration is lighthearted and joyful, with a special focus on kids enjoying the festivities.
4 min readUpdated: Feb 27, 2026By: The Fjord Tours team
17. May on Bryggen in Bergen. National Day in Norway.

What is Norway’s national day?

Constitution Day is Norway’s national day, and it’s a public holiday observed every year on 17 May. Norwegians usually refer to the day as ‘17 May’, though it’s also known as Nasjonaldagen or Grunnlovsdagen.
Norwegians celebrate 17 May because the constitution was signed on 17 May 1814 at Eidsvoll, marking a major step towards Norway becoming an independent country.
The famous Norwegian author Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson wrote the Norwegian national anthem “Ja, vi elsker dette landet” – "Yes, we love this country". The anthem remains an important part of the celebrations, often sung during school events and parades.
Travel tip: Want to experience Constitution Day like a local? Combine a stay in Oslo or Bergen with one of our tours and be in Norway for 17 May.
Children marching with Norwegian flags during Norway’s National Day celebration in Oslo

How do Norwegians celebrate 17 May?

Norway’s 17 May celebrations are a significant event. Everyone dresses up, often in traditional Norwegian bunads.
Kids and adults parade through the streets of cities and towns. Marching bands play while people cheer and wave flags.
A large part of the 17th of May celebration centers around the children. Norwegian kids look forward to this day for weeks. They practice songs at school and get ready for the parade and the fun.
“For Norwegian kids, 17 May is one of the best days of the year — with almost unlimited ice cream and hot dogs!”
Two young girls wearing traditional Norwegian bunads celebrate 17 May by eating ice cream during the festive children’s parade.
Another unique tradition is the russ — high school graduates celebrating the end of their schooling. You can’t miss them, dressed in red or blue jumpsuits (other colors depend on their course).
The russ often party, have fun, and give out russekort. These are small cards with jokes or fun facts that kids enjoy collecting.

What are the traditions of 17 May?

Alongside the parades and songs, 17 May is a significant day for wearing bunad, Norway’s traditional clothing.
Hundreds of different bunads exist across Norway. The colors, embroidery, and design reflect the region the wearer comes from. Wherever you are in Norway on 17 May, you’ll see these stunning outfits throughout the day.
You don’t need a bunad to join in – smart, festive clothing is perfect for most celebrations.
Norwegian family wearing traditional bunad folk costumes celebrating 17 mai Constitution Day national holiday together
If you’re especially interested in Norwegian history and bunads, Norsk Folkemuseum in Oslo is well worth a visit. The museum showcases a wide range of bunads and offers insight into their history and cultural importance.
Kayaker in traditional Norwegian bunad with flag celebrating National Day on Sandvinsvatnet
Many travelers explore the fjords in the days before or after 17 May, when spring landscapes are at their best.

Where is the best place to spend 17 May?

If you’re visiting Norway in mid-May, you’re in luck — 17 May is celebrated enthusiastically all across the country. Even small towns and villages host parades and local festivities, so there’s no shortage of celebrations wherever you go.

17 May in Oslo

The biggest celebration takes place in Oslo, Norway’s capital. The Oslo parade features children from around 100 schools walking through the city center and stopping at the Royal Palace, where the royal family waves from the balcony. Around 100,000 people take part in the parade and festivities, making it a truly lively and unforgettable experience.
Planning your time in Oslo?
Explore city highlights, fjord cruises, and easy day trips that fit naturally around the 17 May celebrations.
Explore Oslo and nearby experiences
Children participating in the 17 May National Day parade in Oslo, waving flags and celebrating with music and crowds
Children’s parade on 17 May in Oslo

17 May in Bergen

That said, Bergen is another fantastic city to experience 17 May. The city is famous for its buekorps, youth brigades that march through the streets in uniform, playing drums and rifles in traditional style. Watching the buekorps in action offers a unique glimpse into local traditions and adds a different flavor to the national day celebrations.
Spending time in Bergen?
Get inspired by fjord journeys and coastal scenery that begin right at the city’s doorstep.
Discover Bergen and the fjords
Bergen buekorps youth brigade marching during 17 May parade
No matter where you are in Norway, the atmosphere on 17 May is infectious. Visitors are very welcome to join in by watching the parades, waving flags, and cheering along with the crowd. You may not know the songs, but you’ll quickly find yourself shouting “hurra!” (hooray) along with everyone else.

Ideas for experiencing Norway around 17 May

Carefully selected experiences that pair well with Norway’s National Day celebrations.
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