Public Holidays in Norway [2026]

Are you living in Norway or going on holiday there? Here’s a full guide to the public holidays you need to know in 2026, plus the dates already listed for 2027 and 2028.

Whether you live in Norway or are just visiting, it is worth marking these dates in advance. On public holidays, many offices, banks, and businesses may close or work reduced hours. In Norway, public holidays are protected by the Holidays and Public Holiday Peace Act, and they also matter for working-time and holiday rules.

How many public holidays are there in Norway?

Norway has 12 public holidays in 2026 if you count the official nationwide holiday dates: New Year’s Day, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Easter Monday, Labour Day, Constitution Day, Ascension Day, Pentecost Sunday, Whit Monday, Christmas Day, and St. Stephen’s Day. Current published Norway holiday calendars list those 12 dates as national holidays.

One practical detail matters in Norway: holidays are not generally moved to Monday when they fall on a weekend. That is why, in 2026, both Constitution Day and Pentecost Sunday fall on Sunday and remain on those dates rather than getting a Monday substitute.

The most important public holidays in Norway

The best-known public holidays in Norway are New Year’s Day, the Easter holidays, Labour Day, Constitution Day on 17 May, Ascension Day, Pentecost, Christmas Day, and St. Stephen’s Day. Constitution Day is especially visible nationally, and Norway’s holiday calendars also mark it as a flag day.

Public Holidays in Norway in 2026

These dates match the currently published Norway holiday calendar for 2026.

What are the public holidays in Norway?

New Year’s Day

New Year’s Day on 1 January is one of Norway’s national public holidays.

Maundy Thursday and Good Friday

Norway treats both Maundy Thursday and Good Friday as public holidays. In 2026 they fall on 2 April and 3 April. The Holidays and Public Holiday Peace Act also specifically mentions Easter Eve in relation to special peace rules after 16:00, which shows how important the Easter period is in Norwegian holiday law.

Easter Sunday and Easter Monday

Easter Sunday and Easter Monday are both public holidays in Norway. In 2026 they fall on 5 April and 6 April.

Labour Day

Labour Day on 1 May is a public holiday in Norway and is also treated as a flag day in current holiday calendars.

Constitution Day

Constitution Day on 17 May is one of the country’s most important national holidays. In 2026 it falls on a Sunday.

Ascension Day

Ascension Day is a public holiday in Norway and falls on 14 May 2026.

Pentecost and Whit Monday

Norway observes both Pentecost Sunday and Whit Monday as public holidays. In 2026 they fall on 24 May and 25 May.

Christmas Day and St. Stephen’s Day

The year ends with Christmas Day on 25 December and St. Stephen’s Day on 26 December, both of which are public holidays in Norway. The public-holiday peace law also includes special rules for Christmas Eve after 16:00.

Public Holidays in Norway in 2027

These 2027 dates follow the currently published Norway holiday calendars.

Public Holidays in Norway in 2028

These 2028 dates follow the currently published Norway holiday calendars as well.

Conclusion

Norway’s holiday calendar is straightforward once you know that the country keeps a fixed list of 12 public holidays and does not generally create Monday substitutes for weekend holidays. For 2026, the most useful dates for planning are Easter Monday, Labour Day, Ascension Day, Whit Monday, and Christmas Day, while Constitution Day stands out as the year’s most visible national celebration.

Last Updated on 04/05/2026