What's on month to month

Tromsø is an all-year destination and there is always something to do here, whether you are visiting in summer or winter. The Arctic nature and wildlife can be explored on foot, skiing, going out on a boat, driving, riding a sled or snowmobile. Throughout the year there’s plenty of events and things going on in the city, and here you will find out what you can do in the month that you will be visiting us. Welcome! 

January

The Polar night season is about to end, and the days are getting brighter. At the end of the month we will see the sun again and celebrate with hot chocolate and solboller / “sun hot buns”. This month there’s also a lot of cultural events happening in Tromsø. The Polar Night Half Marathon, The Northern Lights festival and TIFF – Tromsø international film festival. January is one of the best months for visiting the Ice Hotel and go whale watching. 

Activities in January

• Dog sledding
• Whale watching tours
• Sami cultural experiences and reindeer
• Fishing
• Skiing
• Cruise and sail tours
• Snowshoeing
• Northern lights tours
• Snowmobiling
• Arctic wildlife tours
• City sightseeing
• Fjord excursions
• Fatbiking
• Kayaking
• Husky experiences

Events in January

• Polar Nigth Half Marathon
• Tromsø International Film Festival
• We celebrate the return of the sun by eating sweet "sun buns" and drink hot chocolate on the 21st. of January
• Northern Lights Festival (in the end of January or beginning of February)

February

February is the perfect month for outdoor activities with sunny days and Northern Lights in the evening. If the weather allows it, ice fishing is a popular activity. February is also the month of the Sami National holiday on February 6th. In Tromsø we celebrate a whole week of Sami culture. The days are filled with sami cultural activities and sporting, such as the Norwegian championship in lassoing and reindeer racing in the main street of Tromsø.

Activities in February

• Dog sledding
• Sami cultural experiences and reindeer
• Fishing
• Skiing and snowshoeing
• Cruise and sail tours
• Northern lights tours
• Snowmobiling
• Arctic wildlife tours
• City sightseeing
• Fjord excursions
• Fatbiking
• Kayaking
• Husky experiences
• Ski touring

Events in February

• Northern Lights Festival (in the end of January or beginning of February)
• Sami Week
• Valentines day 14th of February

March

In March it’s equinox– the time when day and night is equally long. After this the days will slowly become longer than the nights. With brighter days it is nice to go on a snowmobile ride and explore Arctic wildlife. Moose, reindeer and rabbits are some of the animals you can get close to. 

Activities in March

• Dog sledding
• Sami cultural experiences and reindeer
• Fishing
• Skiing and snowshoeing
• Cruise and sail tours
• Northern lights tours
• Snowmobiling
• Arctic wildlife tours
• City sightseeing
• Fjord excursions
• Fatbiking
• Kayaking
• Husky experiences
• Ski touring

Events in March

• Arctic snowshoe race
• Spis Uka - food festival (the end of March or beginning of April)

April

Easter is usually in April, sometimes March. A lot of people in Tromsø have cabins in the mountains and Easter means family-time, skiing and enjoying the sun and snow. Typical Easter-snacks are oranges, Kvikk Lunsj chocolate and gathering around the bonfire. Join guided snowshoeing and ski tours and spend time outdoors, just like the locals do it.

Activities in April

• Dog sledding
• Sami cultural experiences and reindeer
• Fishing
• Skiing and snowshoeing 
• Cruise and sail tours
• Northern lights tours (only in the beginning of the month)
• Arctic wildlife tours
• City sightseeing
• Fjord excursions
• Fatbiking
• Kayaking
• Husky experiences
• Ski touring

Events in April

• Easter
• Stumfilmdager (Silent Film Days)
• Vårscenefest - spring festival

May

May is an eventful month in Norway and Tromsø. We celebrate our constitution day on May 17th and fill the streets with people in traditional dresses called bunad, national songs and ice cream. It is a day filled with family fun. May is also the month were a lot of the students study for their exams, as they are finishing their year at the University of Tromsø. The temperature is rising and the snow is slowly disappearing. At the end of the month, the midnight sun season starts, and the nights will be as bright as the day. Have you ever experienced 24 hours of daylight? Experience the change in nature from winter to summer and go on fjord tours in cars, boats or buses.

Activities in May

• Kayaking
• Midnight sun tours (end of May)
• Cruise and sail tours
• Hiking
• Fishing
• Husky experiences
• City sightseeing
• Arctic wildlife tours
• Biking
• Ski touring 
• Fjord excursions

Events in May

• 1st of May: Labour Day
• 17th of May: the Norwegian Constitution Day
• The end of may: the midnight sun season begins

June

Summer has arrived, but we have had snow in June, so remember to bring a warm jacket for the long summer nights. We loose ourselves in time from day to night, as the midnight sun is shining 24/7. Go kayaking or hiking any time of the day. Join locals and international runners in the Midnight Sun Marathon, or play volleyball in Telegrafbukta.

Activities in June

• Midnight sun tours
• Fjord excursions
• Cruise and sail tours
• Hiking
• Fishing
• Husky experiences
• City sightseeing
• Biking
• Arctic wildlife tours
• Kayaking

Events in June

• Midnight Sun Marathon
• 23d of June: Santhansaften (mid summer night)

July

The midnight sun is exceptionally beautiful from the ocean and July is perfect for joining guided boat tours and go fishing. The warm temperature and fresh sea breeze adds to the experience. July is also the month of festivals in Tromsø and the region. The Buktafestival in Telegrafbukta and Riddu Riđđu festival in Lyngenfjord are both popular cultural experiences both for locals and travellers.

Activities in July

• Kayaking
• Midnight sun tours
• Fjord excursions
• Cruise and sail tours
• Hiking
• Husky experiences
• City sightseeing 
• Biking
• Arctic wildlife tours

Events in July

• Riddu Riđđu - international indigenous festival 
• Bukta - Tromsø Open Air Festival
• Karlsøyfestivalen

August

In august we slowly move from summer to autumn in Tromsø. We spend a lot of time in the forest and mountains picking berries and mushroom that we use in cooking throughout the winter.  The popular music festivals Tromsø Jazzfestival and Rakettnatt both take place in August.

Activities in August

• Kayaking
• Fjord excursions
• Cruise and sail tours
• Fishing
• Husky experiences
• City sightseeing
• Biking
• Arctic wildlife tours

Events in August

• Tromsø Jazz Festival
• Arctic Jam - hip hop festival
• Tromsø Mountain Challenge
• Rakettnatt - music festival 
• By the end of August we can already see the seasons first northern lights

September

In September you will see snow in the mountains and the temperatures are changing. It gets darker and summer is officially over. If you want to experience the northern lights without having to wrap yourself up in big thermal suit, September is the perfect month for it. The Aurora will start dancing in the sky above you, as long as its clear outside and there is northern lights activitiy.

Activities in September

• Northern lights tours
• Kayaking
• Cruise and sail tours
• Fjord excursions
• Hiking
• Fishing
• Husky experiences
• City sightseeing
• Biking
• Arctic wildlife tours
• Dog sledding on wheels

Events in September

• TIFF Junior - film festival for children and youth
• SMAK - Northern Norwegain food festival

October

The nature is covered in beautiful autumn colours and the forest displays hues of red, orange and brown. In October, the ground usually starts freezing and we are preparing for winter. The sunsets can be magical with colours ranging from pink to orange and blue. 

Activities in October

• Northern lights tours
• Dog sledding on wheels
• Husky experiences
• Fjord excursions
• Cruise and sail tours
• Hiking
• Fishing
• Kayaking
• Arctic wildlife excursions

Events in October

• Insomnia - electronic and techno festival
• Northern Norway Derby: Tromsø IL v Bodø/Glimt
• 31st. of October: Halloween

November

The sun sets and by the end of the month we’re in Polar night season. The first whales have likely arrived Northern Norway and can hopefully be seen on guided tours from Tromsø. Fjord excursions and boat tours are perfect activities in November. In mid-November you can join Tromsø Arctic Pride festival.

Activities in November

• Dog sledding (on wheels or snow)
• Skiing and snowshoeing (if there is enough snow)
• Northern lights tours
• Arctic wildlife tours
• Sami cultural experiences and reindeer
• Fjord excursions
• Cruise and sail tours
• Fishing
• Husky experiences
• City sightseeing
• Fatbiking
• Kayaking

Events in November

• Arctic Pride
• Ordkalotten - Tromsø international literature festival
• Mid-November: Lighting of the Christmas street
• First Sunday of Advent: Christmas tree lighting in the city centre 

December

The streets are filled with Christmas lights and decorations, people are shopping for Christmas presents and we spend more time with family and friends. The lighting of the Christmas tree in the city centre takes place on the first Sunday of advent. Bring a friend or a partner on a romantic reindeer sled-tour and see the northern lights. Celebrate new years eve with friends and family, and enjoy the vibes and fireworks.

Activities in December

• Snowmobiling (if there is enough snow)
• Whale watching tours
• Skiing and snowshoeing (if there is enough snow)
• Northern lights tours
• Sami cultural experiences and reindeer 
• Fjord excursions
• Arctic wildlife tours
• Fishing
• Husky experiences
• City sightseeing
• Dog sledding (if there is enough snow)
• Cruise and sail tours
• Fatbiking
• Kayaking

Events in December

• First Sunday in advent: lighting of the Christmas tree in the city centre
• 24th of December: Christmas Eve
• 25th of December: Christmas Day
• 26th of December: 2nd day of Christmas
• 31st of December: New Years Eve