17 May celebrations in Stavanger

How to participate in our 17 May Constitution Day celebrations

17 May («syttende mai») is Norway´s Constitution Day. On 17 May 1814, Norway´s constitution was signed in Eidsvoll and each year this anniversary gives us all a chance to celebrate that we live in a free and democratic country.

Everyone is welcome to participate in the celebration of syttende mai. It is a day of fun, community, flags and parades. This is also a day to celebrate Norway´s cultural diversity and we are glad that we can celebrate together with many other nations. There are people representing over 170 different nationalities in Stavanger.

We hope that this information will make it easier for those of you from other cultures to participate and experience this great day for our country.

The main program:

10:00 Barnetoget, the main Children´s Parade starts from the Radisson Blu Atlantic Hotel

10:00 Children´s Parades in several of Stavanger´s neighborhoods (see booklet)

After the parades: celebrations in many neighborhood schools with food, games, speeches and music

11:30 Church service at the Cathedral

12:45 Borgertoget (Citizens´ Parade) from the Cathedral to the Concert Hall. Everyone is welcome to march.

13:00 Celebration outside Stavanger Concert Hall with food, entertainment and speeches

13.15 The russ have their own parade from Stavanger Stadium along Eiganesveien to town centre.

16:00 Folketoget (People´s Parade) starts from the Radisson Blu Atlantic Hotel.

Folketoget is the last community event. Normally it is finished by 18:00. People often have private events afterwards such as barbecues and social gatherings

Helpful information

Dress code: On syttende mai we dress up in our best clothes. Many Norwegians wear the national costume called bunad. It is common to pin ribbons of red, white and blue, the colours of the Norwegian flag, on your left chest-area.

Check the weather report and be prepared to bring along a raincoat, a warm jacket or an umbrella. The parades always go, rain or shine.

Flag: Get hold of a small Norwegian flag that you can keep with you during the day. Norwegians usually wave the flag and say HURRA!

Key phrase: «Gratulerer med dagen» means literally «Congratulations with the day!» Respond with «Gratulerer med dagen». We may greet those we meet with these words and a smile, even if we do not know them.

Public holiday: All shops and public offices are closed on 17 May  but many restaurants and bars will be open in the city centre on this day.

Driving: Try not to use your car in the city centre because many streets will be closed off due to the parades. Take the bus, cycle or walk. Plan your travels in advance. Everybody is outside celebrating on this day.

Watching the parades: Find a place along the parade routes. See maps online or in the 17 May booklet. You may greet people in the parade by shouting HURRA or HIPP, HIPP HURRA! and waving your flag.

Russ: The city centre will be full of youth wearing red and blue costumes. These are russ, final year high school graduates who have been up all night celebrating.

Barnetoget, the main Children's Parade

Folketoget (People's Parade)

Starts from the Radisson Blu Atlantic Hotel at 16:00.