Best time to visit · Oslo · Norway
The best time to visit Oslo
Weather, crowds, prices and events for every month, so you can pick the trip that suits you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Andreas Haldorsen, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
The best time to visit Oslo is late May to early September, when days are long, the fjord islands and saunas are in full swing and the forests are easy to hike. June and August are slightly less busy than July. For snow and skiing, come between January and March; December brings Christmas markets but very short days.
Key facts
- Best months
- May–September
- Shoulder season
- February–March and December
- Warmest month
- July (avg high 22°C (72°F))
- Coldest month
- January (avg high 0°C (32°F))
- Rainiest month
- August (~12 rainy days)
- Lowest hotel prices
- January–March and November
Seasons
Oslo has cold, snowy winters with very short days and mild, bright summers with long evenings. Rain is spread through the year, with late summer and autumn the wettest months.
March–May
Spring
Snow lingers on the hills into March, then the thaw brings bright, cool days; Constitution Day on 17 May is the high point.
June–August
Summer
Up to 19 hours of daylight, island ferries, fjord swimming and outdoor festivals; the busiest and priciest season.
September–November
Autumn
Crisp September hiking and autumn colour, then rain and fast-shortening days; hotels get cheaper.
December–February
Winter
Cold, dark and often snowy, with ski trails reached by metro, Christmas markets and quiet museums.
Month by month
Long-term averages (rounded). Crowds and prices are relative, 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest). Daylight is sunrise to sunset on the 15th.
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Sea | Daylight | Crowds | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 0°C | -6°C | 10 | 3°C | 6.7 h | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| February | 0°C | -6°C | 7 | 2°C | 9 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| March | 4°C | -3°C | 8 | 3°C | 11.6 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| April | 10°C | 1°C | 8 | 5°C | 14.5 h | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| May | 16°C | 6°C | 9 | 10°C | 17.1 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| June | 20°C | 10°C | 10 | 15°C | 18.8 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| July | 22°C | 13°C | 11 | 18°C | 18 h | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| August | 21°C | 12°C | 12 | 18°C | 15.6 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| September | 16°C | 8°C | 10 | 15°C | 12.7 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| October | 9°C | 4°C | 11 | 11°C | 10 h | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| November | 4°C | 0°C | 11 | 8°C | 7.4 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| December | 0°C | -4°C | 10 | 5°C | 5.9 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
Yearly events
Recurring dates shift from year to year; confirm with the organiser before you book.
| Month | Events |
|---|---|
| February | Winter school holiday week — Oslo-area families head to the slopes (usually late February) |
| March | Holmenkollen Ski Festival — World Cup ski jumping and cross-country races (usually early March) |
| April | Easter holidays — shops close for several days and the city empties (March or April) |
| May | Constitution Day — children's parades past the Royal Palace and national costume everywhere (17 May) |
| June | Piknik i Parken music festival in Sofienberg Park (usually June); Midsummer Eve bonfires along the fjord (23 June); Oslo Pride (usually late June) |
| July | Fellesferie — Norway's main holiday period, when many local businesses slow down (July) |
| August | Øya Festival — large music festival in Tøyen Park (usually August); Oslo Jazz Festival (usually August) |
| September | Oslo Marathon (usually September) |
| November | Christmas in Winterland market at Spikersuppa, beside Karl Johans gate (usually from mid/late November) |
| December | Nobel Peace Prize ceremony at Oslo City Hall (10 December); Christmas market at the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History (usually early December weekends) |
Cheapest and quietest times
Hotel prices are usually lowest in January–March and November, and the sights are quietest in January.
What to pack
| Season | Pack |
|---|---|
| Spring | Layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; Shoes with good grip for icy pavements; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Summer | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; A compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Autumn | Layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; Shoes with good grip for icy pavements; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Winter | A warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; Shoes with good grip for icy pavements; A packable rain jacket for showers; Comfortable walking shoes |
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best month to visit Oslo?
The best time to visit Oslo is late May to early September, when days are long, the fjord islands and saunas are in full swing and the forests are easy to hike. June and August are slightly less busy than July. For snow and skiing, come between January and March; December brings Christmas markets but very short days.
+When are hotel prices lowest in Oslo?
Usually in January–March and November. Cold and dark, with about six hours of daylight; snow often covers the forest trails, and cross-country skiing starts at the metro stations.
+What is the rainiest month in Oslo?
August, with about 12 days of rain on average.
+How hot does Oslo get?
The warmest month, July, averages highs of 22°C (72°F) and lows of 13°C (55°F).