Oslo in spring
When Oslo comes alive. A guide to your spring city break in Norway's reawakened capital.
Some might find it cliché to talk about how Oslo comes alive in spring, but we would argue that it is especially true in Oslo. After a long and cold winter, the warm temperatures often take humans, animals and plants by surprise, and the city may look radically different from one week to the next.
Join in on this northern spring euphoria, where all living things, from winter-pale Norwegians to long-buried flower buds suddenly emerge from their winter stupor.
Read on to learn more about how to identify the locals in the flowery streets and parks of Oslo.
Utepils – outdoor beer
The event referred to as “utepils” is eagerly awaited by locals every spring. Literally translated to “outdoor beer”, utepils happens when the weather is sufficiently warm to allow bars, cafés and restaurants to fetch their outdoor furniture from winter storage, and welcome pale and thirsty Norwegians to grab a drink while soaking in the vitamin D.
This might seem strange to many visitors, as the weather isn’t always warm during the utepils season. If you would like to mix with the locals and enjoy your own utepils however, wear warm layers and bring a scarf large enough to wrap around your shoulders like a blanket, and you will be just fine.
And bring your sunglasses, of course.
You'll know spring has sprung in Oslo when...
- People are "sitting by the sun-wall" – When the sun is peeking through, Norwegians gather, backs against any sun-facing wall, and soak up the long awaited warmth of a sun that hasn't actually provided any warmth for the last 4-6 months.
- There is gravel everywhere – These little rocks strewn across the slippery pavement kept us on our feet during winter, but are now set free as the snow and ice melt. Cyclists beware!
- There is a certain sense of general euphoria?
- The locals seem to be walking around without jackets even though the temperatures are similar to those of an average winter day in southern Europe.
- Desperate ski enthusiasts will cling to the last traces of winter, gathering on the metro to enjoy a few patches of snow in the forest.
First swim of the year
Yes, outside. Not in a heated pool!
In Oslo, bragging rights are granted to the person in the friend group with the earliest “first swim of the year”.
Now that ice bathing and saunas have become so popular, this might be a very tough competition. An increasing number of people will tell you they had their first swim of the year in January. Most people however, will still be very proud to tell you they had a swim in the fjord before May. Can you beat them?
Of course, the task is made easier if you combine your dip in the cold water with a heated sauna. Most agree though, that a true “first swim of the year” does not count if it is immediately followed by a sauna session.
More spring activities
Cherry blossoms and park life
Did you know that Oslo explodes in hues of white and pink some time between late April and early May? When the cherry trees are blooming, you could almost trick your friends into thinking you've made a stop in Tokyo on your way to Oslo. These beautiful trees can be seen all over the city, but are especially numerous on the eastern part of the city centre, in the Tøyen neighbourhood.
Check out the municipality of Oslo's interactive maps of cherry trees in the city.
Tøyen is also where you'll find the Botanical garden. This is the best place in Oslo to enjoy the sight and smell of a multitude of trees, flowers and other plants in bloom. Check if the Japanese Magnolia Kobus is in bloom during your spring visit. When it blooms into its big, beautiful white flowers, it is an event that attracts many visitors to the garden.
Towards the end of spring, when the snow has fully melted and the temperatures are approaching something resembling summer, you'll notice that the many parks of Oslo are filling up with locals having picnics on the grass. Why not grab a blanket, get some snacks from the local supermarket and do as the locals do?
Explore the parks of Oslo
What to do in bad weather?
Norwegian weather in spring will not always play nice and let us enjoy the outdoors. Check out these great suggestions for indoor fun.
Easter
With springtime also come the first public holidays since New Year's. Easter is a sacred time for many Norwegians, though not necessarily in the religious sense. What you will notice if you come during Easter, is that locals might be hard to come by in the city. Easter is a time when city dwellers will flock to the mountains to ski and play boardgames.
Worry not, Oslo is still lovely during Easter. Most of the museums are open, and there are plenty of lovely hotels to stay at, tasty food to enjoy, and amazing sights to be seen. Some may even see it as a bonus, getting Oslo all to themselves while the streets are a little less crowded.
Check out our guide to Oslo during Easter to plan your Easter holiday!
Festivities in May
May is a strong contender for "favourite month" for many Oslo locals, and with good reason. In addition to a tendency towards sunny and warm weather, it is full of public holidays and celebrations.
17 May, Norway's constitution day, is a day of national celebration. This is the day to visit Oslo to see it at its most festive. Children are parading through Karl Johans gate and towards the Royal Palace, and the locals wear their finest clothing. Come join in on this happy celebration, and experience a very special part of Norwegian culture. Note that restaurants are fully booked many weeks, if not months, in advance on this day, so book your table early!
Check if your trip to Oslo coincides with any of the following dates:
- International Worker's Day: 1 May
- Ascencion Day: Varies, always on a Thursday
- Whit Monday: Varies, always on a Monday. May fall on the beginning of June
- National Day: 17 May
On these days, expect most shops to be closed.