Easter in Oslo with children
Easter is the holiday when the city genuinely closes. Four public holidays in a row, the shops locked and half of Oslo in the mountains. If you are staying, it is worth knowing which days are which.
Easter 2027
The dates are calculated rather than typed in, so they will be right next year too. The Oslo school holiday is longer than the red days â see the school calendar.
Four public holidays in a row
Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday are all public holidays. Most shops are closed, groceries included â only the smallest outlets are allowed to open. Do your shopping before Maundy Thursday, or it will be a long weekend on whatever is in the cupboard.
Check opening hours before you set off
Museums, play centres and places to eat often keep completely different hours at Easter, and several close entirely on the red days. That is the most common Easter disappointment with children: arriving at a locked door. Call or check the website the same day.
The city is empty, and that is an advantage
Many Oslo families head for the mountains, and those who stay get the city almost to themselves. Playgrounds, parks and paths that are packed in May are quiet at Easter. If you are staying put, this is the week when it is easiest to get space anywhere.
The weather can be anything
Easter falls somewhere between late March and late April, and the difference is large. There can be snow in the forest and bare ground in the centre at the same time. Plan for both, especially if you are heading out of town.
The school holiday at Easter is longer than the public holidays, and those days need covering. The school calendar shows exactly which, and the free holiday programmes are gathered here:
The Oslo school year âFree holiday programmes in Oslo âEvents in Oslo â
The Easter dates are calculated from Easter Sunday. Opening hours are set by each venue, so check their own pages before you go â more so at Easter than at other times.