17 May 2027
Be in Oslo on 17 May and you see the city in its best clothes, a flag in every hand. Watch from halfway up the hill below the Palace, or outside the Storting, the parliament, and be there by nine.
17 May 2027. Times are approximate and can change from year to year.
Wreaths are laid at graves and statues around the city until about 9.25, with speeches in Norwegian.
A concert on Egertorget, on Karl Johans gate, while the pavements fill.
From the main gate of Akershus Fortress, past the Storting at about 10.15 and the Palace at about 10.30.
The gun salute is fired from Akershus Fortress. The last schools reach Rådhusplassen, the City Hall square, around 1.30.
A cobblestone dance with singing on Universitetsplassen, outside the university.
Syttende mai is Norwegian for 17 May, the country's Constitution Day. Many children and adults wear bunad, a traditional folk costume, and more than 120 schools march behind brass bands. Look out for school leavers in red or blue overalls covered in badges: these are the russ, celebrating the end of school.
After the parade the celebrating moves to the squares, and the food all day is hot dogs and ice cream. At 2pm a student choir sings on the steps of the university hall on Universitetsplassen.
The parade is for schools only, but you are welcome to line the street, wave a flag and cheer. Supermarkets and most shops close for the holiday, so buy what you need the day before. If you want a sit-down lunch or dinner, book a table well ahead.
A room near the Palace end of Karl Johans gate lets you walk out at eight and come back to rest after the parade.
Where to base yourself, and what else is on
The Oslo guide has the rest of the city.
Sixteen days of beer tents and brass bands on a Munich meadow. Get there on a weekday morning and a bench is yours without a booking.
Lima's purple month: a float carried through the old centre from dawn into the night on five days in October.