The cultural scene in Grünerløkka is one of Norway’s most dynamic, fun and diverse. From intimate folk music performances and cutting-edge contemporary dance to legendary jazz nights and indie film screenings, the neighborhood offers something for every artistic taste. Whether you’re a spontaneous visitor or a meticulous planner, many venues offer last-minute tickets, so you can dive into the city’s creative pulse without a strict itinerary.
In this guide, we’ll introduce you to some of the area’s must-visit cultural hotspots. For a full daily overview, check the Broadcast Events app on your phone or scroll to the end of this article for an event calendar. Now, let’s explore what Grünerløkka has to offer!
Riksscenen
The Norwegian Hub for Traditional Music and Dance have given Norway an impressive new national venue for presenting all kinds of folk music and folk dance, including Norwegian, Sami and different music and dance from around the world. The venue is tailored to intimate acoustic concerts, fully produced stage shows, and modern dance productions, as well as social events on dance floors that are suited traditional dances.
Full program at Riksccenen (NO)
The bar is open before and during concerts, and you’ll find multiple restaurants nearby.
Parkteatret Bar & Scene
One of the oldest cinemas in Europe (dating back to 1907), Parkteatret is now a 500-capacity music venue with an excellent reputation for Norwegian and international acts. The venue has a very charming bar next door, a favorite amongst locals.
The bar offers a wide selection of local beers, organic wines, salads, sandwiches and great pizzas. Tickets can be purchased both at the door (unless it’s sold out), and via ticketmaster.no.
Dansens Hus
Dansens Hus, Norway’s national stage for contemporary dance, is a place to experience, develop and talk about dance. A place for people who love dance, and for people who have never watched dance before. A stage for people who want to be inspired, moved and challenged. Dansens Hus is situated at Vulkan, next door to Mathallen, and presents a variety of Norwegian and international performances.
This spring some of the international headliners are:
- French company MazelFreten (10 – 11 April)
- Swedish/Duch choreographer Jefta van Dinther (10 – 11 May).
Full program of preformances (ENG)
Dansens Hus offers bar service one hour in advance of performances and 2 hours after. For meals before or after performances Mathallen next door can be recommended for informal dining.
Folk
Folk i Storgata is a night club and an independent cultural organizer. Last year, we carried out 100 events to a greater or lesser extent. In the summer months, we have an outdoor stage in the backyard with capacity for 350 guests. In the coming year, we will continue in true style with concerts, jams, stand-up and summer parties. We do not have food service at the house, but all food and catering are completely allowed to be brought.
Inside we have a stage with room for approximately 50 audience members. Weekly stand-up and jam evenings are organized here, in addition to more or less intimate concerts.
Vega Scene
Vega Scene is a vibrant venue for art cinema and contemporary theatre located in the eastern part of Oslo. The program features new and old arthouse films in Norwegian distribution. In addition, they import titles for limited cinematic release at Vega Scene.
They also offer screenings with English subtitles.
Check out their Theather program and Cinema Program (NO)
Vega Scene has both a bar and a snack bar with food. You are welcome to bring drinks into the screenings.
Grünerløkka Lufthavn / Mir
Grünerløkka Lufthavn is a non-commercial organization in Oslo that runs the music venue and bar Mir, the art gallery 69, rehearsal rooms for musicians, and studios for artists. Mir and the stage are in many ways the heart of Grünerløkka Lufthavn. It opens from 19:00 to 01:00 throughout the week (20:00 to 01:00 in July).
We have astonishingly many exciting and weird concerts and other events, free internet and a full bar! Customers can bring food to the venue.
Blå
BLÅ is a medium-sized venue located next to the idyllic Akerselva River. Once a storage facility for gold and diamonds(!), is now filled to the brim with an eclectic selection of fine culture! Our specialties include up and coming local acts, world music, jazz, and world class club nights.
Some highlights in 2025:
- Frank Znort Quartet, every Sunday. FZQ is one of the few constants in a world which seemingly has gone off the rails. They’ve delivered top notch jazz-punk to the people of Oslo every single Sunday since 1998 – completely for free. A truly classic Oslo experience.
- Habibi Funk, 30.04.25. Habibi Funk is a Berlin-based label dedicated to funky music from the Arabic world in the 1970s and 80s. This time, they’re bringing special guests Roger Fakhr, a Lebanese singer-songwriter who grew up in the alternative music scene of Beirut in the 1960s, and the Lebanese multi-instrumentalist Charif Megarbane.
BLÅ has food service during summer in the outside bar, and will open a restaurant in an adjacent building in march 2025. The outside bar is normally open every day from mid-april to November. BLÅ strives to be an independent addition to the art- and musical life of Oslo and Norway.
Kulturkirken Jakob
Kulturkirken Jakob, named after St. James, the patron saint of pilgrims and travelers, is a «cultural church» devoted to a variety of eclectic music, dance, movie and theater events.
2025 program highlights include:
- «Interpuls» Festival in february: Enjoy a carefully curated selection of Norway’s premier musicians and singers performing new and older works from the minimalistic classical tradition — ideally, accompanied by popcorn and craft beer from the church’s bar, discreetly placed underneath the organ gallery
- «På gølvet i Jakob» — literally, «On the floor in Jakob», a series of concerts taking place on the floor among the audience — acoustic, warm and intimate experiences
- «Jul i Jakob» in November & December— the church’s pre-Christmas concert series, featuring some of the country’s finest artists across genres
Explore the local cultural venues on our map here.
