The important Norwegian dates of 2020 to know include public holidays, flag days, and cultural festivals of all kinds. Whether you’re wondering when to send your mom flowers for Mother’s Day or need to know each of the Christmas advents, our calendar will keep you up-to-date!
What is a flag day in Norway?
Flag days are days that have been decreed as dates on which to fly the Norwegian flag. On flag days in Norway, businesses are not closed nor are there special hours. All national institutions must fly the flag on these dates, while private institutions and people are not obligated to do so (though many do).
The birthdays of adult royals are flag days. Some public holidays are also flag days, such as Easter and Christmas.
What is a public holiday in Norway?
Public holidays are nation-wide holidays when public offices, institutions, and administrative buildings are closed. Some private businesses are closed, but many stay open, including a fair number of restaurants, shops, and grocery stores. This changes frequently so check individual websites for holiday opening hours if you’re not sure.
Here are the public holidays, flag days, and important dates to know in Norway 2020.
Also, you can download all these dates for your iCal!
January in Norway
Flag Day? | Holiday? | Date | Holiday Name |
 |  | 1 January | New Year’s Day: Første nyttårsdag |
| 21 January | Princess Ingrid Alexandra’s birthday | |
| 22 – 24 January | Oslo Design Fair |
February in Norway
Flag Day? | Holiday? | Date | Holiday Name |
| 6 February | The Saami National Day: Samenes nasjonaldag | |
| 9 February | Mother’s Day: Morsdag | ||
| 21 February | King Harald V’s Day |
March in Norway
| No holidays or flag days in March this year |
April in Norway
Flag Day? | Holiday? | Date | Holiday Name |
| 9 April | Maundy Thursday: Skjærtorsdag | |
| 10 April | Good Friday: Langfredag | |
| | 12 April | Easter Sunday: Første påskedag |
| 12 April | Easter Monday: Andre påskedag |
May in Norway
Flag Day? | Holiday? | Date | Holiday Name |
| | 1 May | International Worker’s Day: Første mai |
| 8 May | Norway’s Liberation Day: Frigjøringsdagen | |
| | 17 May | Constitution Day: Syttende mai or Grunnlovsdagen |
| | 21 May | Ascension Day: Kristi himmelfartsdag |
| 31 May | Whit Sunday/Pentecost: Første pinsedag |
June in Norway
Flag Day? | Holiday? | Date | Holiday Name |
| | 1 June | Whit Monday/Pentecost Day: Andre pinsedag |
| 7 June | Dissolution of union with Sweden | |
| 23 June | Midsummer’s Eve: Jonsok |
July in Norway
Flag Day? | Holiday? | Date | Holiday Name |
| 4 July | Queen Sonja’s birthday | |
| 20 July | Crown Prince Haakon’s birthday | |
| 29 July | St. Olaf’s day: Olsok |
August in Norway
Flag Day? | Holiday? | Date | Holiday Name |
| 19 August | Crown Princess Mette Marit’s birthday |
September in Norway
Flag Day? | Holiday? | Date | Holiday Name |
| 19 September | Oslo Marathon |
October in Norway
Flag Day? | Holiday? | Date | Holiday Name |
| 31 October | Halloween |
November in Norway
Flag Day? | Holiday? | Date | Holiday Name |
| 8 November | Father’s Day: Farsdag | ||
| 29 November | First advent |
December in Norway
Flag Day? | Holiday? | Date | Holiday Name |
| 6 December | Second advent | ||
| 13 December | St Lucy’s Day: Luciadag | ||
| 20 December | Third advent | ||
| 24 December | Christmas Eve: Juleaften | ||
| | 25 December | Christmas Day: Første juledag |
| 26 December | Second Day of Christmas: Andre juledag | |
| 31 December | New Year’s Eve: Nyttårsaften |
Add all these dates for your iCal!