Girls walking with bicycles in Telegrafbukta
©Vegard Stien

What's on month to month

Tromsø is an all-year destination and there is always something to do here, whether you are visiting in summer or winter. The Arctic nature and wildlife can be explored on foot, skiing, going out on a boat, driving, riding a sled or snowmobile. Throughout the year there’s plenty of events and things going on in the city, and here you will find out exactly what you can do in the month that you will be visiting us. Welcome! 

    January

    The Polar night season is about to end, and the days are getting brighter. At the end of the month we will see the sun again and celebrate with hot chocolate and solboller / “sun hot buns”. This month there’s also a lot of cultural events happening in Tromsø. The Polar Night Half Marathon, The Northern Lights festival and TIFF – Tromsø international film festival. January is one of the best months for visiting the Ice Hotel and go whale watching. 

    Activities:
    • Dog sledding
    • Whale Safari
    • Reindeer sledding
    • Ice fishing and fishing
    • Photo tours
    • Skiing
    • Boat tours
    • Snowshoeing
    • Fjord tours
    • Northern Lights tours
    • Snowmobile safari
    • Sami culture experiences
    • Wildlife safari
    • City tours
    Events:
    February

    February is the perfect month for outdoor activities with sunny days and Northern Lights in the evening. If the weather allows it, ice fishing is a popular activity. February is also the month of the Sami National holiday on February 6th. In Tromsø we celebrate a whole week of Sami culture. The days are filled with sami cultural activities and sporting, such as the Norwegian championship in lassoing and reindeer racing in the main street of Tromsø.

    Activities:
    • Snowmobile safari
    • Northern Lights tours
    • Dog sledding
    • Reindeer sledding
    • Snowshoeing
    • Fjord tours
    • Boat tours
    • Wildlife safari 
    • Skiing
    • Husky
    • Ice domes
    • City tours 
    • Fatbike
    • Ski touring
    Events:
    March

    In March it’s equinox– the time when day and night is equally long. After this the days will slowly become longer than the nights. March is the last month where you can experience the Northern Lights concerts in the Arctic Cathedral (from January to March). With brighter days it is nice to go on a snowmobile ride and explore Arctic wildlife. Moose, reindeer and rabbits are some of the animals you can get close to. 

    Activities:
    • Northern Lights safari
    • Dog sledding
    • Reindeer sledding
    • Sami culture experiences
    • Snowshoeing
    • Fjord tours
    • Boat tours
    • Ice fishing and fishing 
    • Local home visit
    • Skiing
    • Ice domes
    • City tours
    • Fatbike
    • Ski touring
    Events:
    April

    Easter is usually in April, sometimes March. A lot of people in Tromsø have cabins in the mountains and Easter means family-time, skiing and enjoying the sun and snow. Typical Easter-snacks are oranges, Kvikk Lunsj chocolate and gathering around the bonfire. Join guided snowshoeing and ski tours and spend time outdoors, just like the locals do it.

    Activities:
    • Snowmobile safari
    • Kayaking
    • Reindeer feeding and sledding
    • Boat tours
    • Fishing
    • Dog Sledding
    • City tours 
    • Fatbike
    • Skiing and snowshoeing
    • Ski touring
    May

    May is an eventful month in Norway and Tromsø. We celebrate our constitution day on May 17th and fill the streets with people in traditional dresses called bunad, national songs and ice cream. It is a day filled with family fun. May is also the month were a lot of the students study for their exams, as they are finishing their year at the University of Tromsø. The temperature is rising and the snow is slowly disappearing. At the end of the month, the midnight sun season starts, and the nights will be as bright as the day. Have you ever experienced 24 hours of daylight? Experience the change in nature from winter to summer and go on fjord tours in cars, boats or buses. 

    Activities:
    • Kayaking
    • Midnight Sun tours (end of May)
    • Boat tours
    • Hiking
    • Fishing
    • Husky activities
    • City tours 
    • Bicycling
    • Ski touring
    Events:
    June

    Summer has arrived, but we have had snow in June, so remember to bring a warm jacket for the long summer nights. We loose ourselves in time from day to night, as the midnight sun is shining 24/7. Go kayaking or hiking any time of the day. Join locals and international runners in the Midnight Sun Marathon, or play volleyball in Telegrafbukta.

    Activities:
    • Midnight Sun tours
    • Fjord tours
    • Boat tours
    • Hiking
    • Fishing
    • Husky
    • City tours 
    • Bicycling
    Events:
    • 8th of June
      World Ocean Day
    • Mid-June
      Midnight Sun Marathon
    • 23rd of June
      Sankthansaften - mid summer night 
    July

    The midnight sun is exceptionally beautiful from the ocean and July is perfect for joining guided boat tours and go fishing. The warm temperature and fresh sea breeze adds to the experience. July is also the month of festivals in Tromsø and the region. The Buktafestival in Telegrafbukta and Riddu Riđđu festival in Lyngenfjord are both popular cultural experiences both for locals and travellers.

    Activities:
    • Kayaking
    • Midnight Sun tours
    • Fjord tours
    • Hiking
    • Husky activities
    • City tours 
    • Bicycling
    August

    In august we slowly move from summer to fall in Tromsø. We spend a lot of time in the forest and mountains picking berries and mushroom that we use in cooking throughout the winter. Music keeps filling the streets of Tromsø and both the Tromsø Jazzfestival, the music fest in Tromsø and Rakettnatt is worth a listen.

    Activities: 
    • Kayaking
    • Fjord tours
    • Boat tours
    • Fishing
    • Husky activities
    • City tours 
    • Bicycling
    September

    In September you will see snow in the mountains and the temperatures are changing. It gets darker and summer is officially over. If you want to experience the Northern Lights without having to wrap yourself up in big thermos, September is the perfect month for it. The Aurora will start dancing in the sky above you, as long as its clear outside.

    Things to do in September: 
    • Northern Lights activities
    • Kayaking
    • Boat tours
    • Fjord tours
    • Hiking
    • Fishing
    • Husky activities
    • City tours 
    • Bicycling
    October

    Nature is covered in beautiful fall colours and the forest is red, orange and brown. In October the ground usually starts freezing and we’re preparing for winter. The sunsets can be magical with colours ranging from pink to orange and blue. Get to know our culture and history and join a local home visit or guided city tour.

    Activities:
    • Northern Lights activities
    • Dog sledding on wheels
    • Fjord tours
    • Boat tours
    • Hiking
    • Fishing
    • Husky activities
    Events:
    November

    The sun sets and by the end of the month we’re in Polar night season. The first whales has arrived Northern Norway and can be seen on guided tours from Tromsø. Fjord tours and boat tours are perfect activities in November. In mid-November you can join Tromsø Arctic Pride festival.  

    Activities: 
    • Dog sledding (on wheels or snow)
    • Snowshoeing
    • Northern Lights activities
    • Wildlife safari
    • Reindeer feeding and sledding
    • Fjord tours
    • Boat tours
    • Fishing
    • Skiing (if it’s snowing)
    • Husky 
    • City tours
    December

    The streets are filled with Christmas trees, Christmas lights and decorations, people are shopping for Christmas gifts and we spend more time with family and friends. The lighting of the Christmas tree at Stortorget takes place on the first Sunday of advent. Bring a friend or a partner on a romantic sled-tour and see the Northern Lights. Celebrate new years eve with friends and family, and enjoy the vibes and fireworks.

    Activities: 
    • Snowmobil safari
    • Whale safari
    • Snowshoeing
    • Northern Lights activities
    • Reindeer feeding and sledding
    • Sami culture experiences
    • Fjord tours
    • Wildlife safari
    • Ice fishing and fishing
    • Skiing
    • Husky activities
    • Ice domes
    • City tours  
    Events: 
    • Christmas in Tromsø
    • 24th of December
      Christmas Eve
    • 25th of December
      Christmas Day
    • 26th of December
      2nd day of Christmas
    • 31st of December
      New Years Eve
    Upcoming events