This is the

Bergen International Festival

Scandinavia's largest festival for music and performing arts

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80,000 visits every year, and hundreds of unforgettable experiences creating

lifelong memories

15 spring days in May and June

filled with music, opera, theatre, dance, debate and family events.

In the UNESCO city of Bergen, with historic venues such as

Edvard Grieg's own home

and the 750-year-old royal hall Håkonshallen.

World-renowned stars and bold newcomers, grand stages and intimate performances, the classical, the cutting-edge

and everything that happens where they meet

Welcome to the 74th Festival!

Explore this year's programme

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First program release for 2026:

Lise Davidsen

Soul-searching with Schubert.

Esa-Pekka Salonen. Foto: Cody Pickens

Esa-Pekka Salonen

Artist in Residence at the Bergen International Festival 2026.

Esa-Pekka Salonen. Foto: Mika Ranta

Esa-Pekka Salonen & Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra

Turangalîla – a modern masterpiece of joy and love.

About the Festival

  • The Festival is under the patronage of His Majesty King Harald V.

  • Presents music, opera, theatre, dance, debates and family events during 15 days in May/June every year. 

  • The Festival dates for 2026 is Wednesday 27 May – Wednesday 10 June.

  • The first Bergen International Festival was held in 1953.  

  • Lars Petter Hagen has been the Festival director since 2022.  

  • The Bergen International Festival had an attendance of over 70,000 in 2025.

  • Artist in Residence for 2026 is Esa-Pekka Salonen.

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