Mirage Film Festival: October 9-October 13

From October 9 to October 13, the Mirage Film Festival celebrates the art of cinematography by showcasing films from around the world. The opening event is a conference at the historic Frogner Cinema about how the Oslo region can become an international film city, and it will be opened by a speech from Anita Leirvik North, Vice Mayor for Culture and Business Development. Although the opening and some events are held at Frogner Kino, the film screenings will take place at Vega Scene, and the films will have English subtitles.

The festival focuses on the craft of filmmaking, so if you're interested in the art, this event should be on your list. In addition to screenings, you can join art talks with director Victor Kossakovsky, cinematographer Timo Salminen, and sound designer Nicolas Becker, who has worked on films such as Arrival, Ex Machina, and Gravity. For the full program, visit their website.

Alnaelva walk by torchlight: October 10

The annual torchlit walk along the Alnaelva River, featuring beautiful light installations, will be held on October 10, from 19:00 to 21:30. The event is organized by the voluntary organization Alnaelvas Venner. The walk, illuminated by both torches and artistic light displays, will take place from Grorud to Kværnerbyen. To stay updated, follow their event on Facebook.

Norwegian Trekking Association (DNT) tours and events

The Norwegian Trekking Association (DNT) organizes a variety of events for families and children, including hiking trips, cabin stays, kayaking, paddling, and more. This October, you can learn kayaking, paddle under the night sky, and enjoy the streetlit views of Oslo. Explore their fall tours and get tips on how to make the most of the outdoor autumn weather. While most of their events are in Norwegian, they also offer international hikes for non-Norwegian speakers.

International events in October
A Cozy Day by Sognsvann with Moroccan Food – On October 6, join DNT at Sognsvann lake, where cookbook author Jamila will prepare "Sjarmoola," a Moroccan dish, using a primus stove and an open fire. It will be a cozy day by the lake, so make sure to bring warm clothes and check the recommended items to bring.

Sunday Hike to Røverkollen and Steinbruvannet – On October 13, join a moderately challenging hike with DNT and the international community. The hike is completely free of charge, but be sure to read all the information on DNT's website regarding the meeting point and what to bring.

A tour of Deichman Bjørvika library: October 18

Welcome to Oslo is hosting an event at Deichman Bjørvika on October 18, from 09:30 to 11:00. This is a fantastic opportunity to explore one of Oslo’s most iconic libraries, renowned for its stunning architecture and resources it offers. With a library card, you'll have access to over a million books, movies, games, and other media, and you can also attend free events and language cafés.

The event will kick off with coffee, tea, and a delicious Deichmanbolle in the Nøklevann meeting room. Register for the event here.

Vigeland museum exhibition and workshops

From September 27, 2024, to January 12, 2025, you can visit Åsne Kummeneje Mellem's fascinating exhibition (Sinne) Käsin. The title has a double meaning in the Kven language, translating to "over there," indicating movement or direction toward a place.

The Vigeland Museum is organizing events during the Høstferie (Fall Break) for kids to experience and play with collage and other art forms. They also offer family workshops throughout October, where children can create their own sculptures and engage in other creative activities. Check out their program to see the full list of planned events.

CODA Oslo International Dance Festival: October 11–19

This October, you can enjoy contemporary dance, exhibitions, and workshops during the CODA Oslo International Dance Festival, the largest dance festival in the Nordics. Events will be held at venues such as Dansens Hus, The Norwegian Opera and Ballet, Bærum Kulturhus, Black Box Teater, Riksscenen, and Vega Scene. The festival brings together both international and local performers, transforming Oslo by bringing dance to the streets and bars. For more details, you can find the full program here.

Oslo World: October 28- November 3

Oslo World continues its mission since 1994: to bring the world to Oslo and Oslo to the world. Focusing on music from Africa, Latin America, Asia, and the Middle East, the Oslo World Music Festival brings international musicians to Oslo, offering an opportunity to experience different cultures through music and discover bands from around the globe. As part of the festival, there are also events for children and youth, exhibitions, and various seminars.

During Oslo World, you can enjoy talks and concerts at various venues in Oslo, such as Oslo Konserthus, Becco, Deichman Bjørvika, Sentrum Scene, Cosmopolite, Victoria National Jazz Scene, Parkteatret, Blå, and many more. The full program is available in English.

Oslo Ghost Tours: Six tours in English in October

If you're looking for a thrilling and historic night, why not spice it up with a bit of spookiness? Join one of the Ghost City Walks in Oslo and explore the streets of old Christiania and the area around Akershus Fortress. You'll hear fascinating stories about these historic places, along with eerie tales of ghost sightings and strange happenings. There are six tours available in English in October. Check out the dates here.

Events Around the Oslo Region

Horten choir performance by the fjord: October 5

Koriaden is an annual event where choirs from Vestfold and Telemark come together to perform at the historic Karljohansvern by the fjord. This year, 16 choirs with a total of 450 singers will present two concerts in one day. Enjoy the music by the fjord and have a magical Saturday! For the full program, visit their official website.

Fall events at Midgard Viking Center, Borre

Midgard Viking Center is organizing the events for the whole family throughout the fall, which include bread baking, archery, torchlit walks, autumn market, torchlit walks and much more!

A fall market on October 6: Gildehallen (Viking Hall) will host a fall market.

Viking Day on October 9: It's the Viking Day, and you will be able to cast your very own Viking amulet with the help of a blacksmith. VIking Hall will serve grilled food and offer coloring activities for children.

Light Installations in Borre park on October 10: A walk through the illuminated Borre Park will be organized this year by Midgard Viking Center and Horten Municipality. Parts of Borre park will be illuminated by light installations, and while walking through burial mounds and the historic sites, there will be guides to share the information. The event is completely free.

Fredrikstad Animation Festival: October 24- October 27

Fredrikstad Animation Festival, the largest festival for animated film in the Nordic region, runs from October 24 to October 27. The festival began in Oslo in 1994 under the name Animerte Dager and is now held annually in Fredrikstad. It is a competitive festival, awarding Nordic-Baltic prizes for categories such as best short film, student film, commissioned film, children's film, and young audience film. This year, they have introduced the Best Global Short Film award. For all the details, see the program.

Each year, the festival hosts seminars and lectures by top industry experts, with past guests from renowned studios like Pixar, Disney, and Aardman. It provides an excellent opportunity for students of animation, graphic design, and digital media production to learn and stay updated on the animation industry. This year’s symposium theme is Visual Music, exploring the connection between sound and visual art.