Dyreparken is actually five separate parks, including a water park (bring bathing suits and towels); a forested park; an entertainment park; a theme park; and a zoo, which contains an enclosure for Scandinavian animals such as wolves and elk, a large breeding ground for Bactrian camels, and exotic animals such as lions and tigers. In the zoo, the Africa exhibition allows you to move along a bridge observing native savanna animals such as giraffe and zebras. The park is 11 km (6 mi) east of town.

photo credit: Visit sørlandet

Kristiansand Zoo is Norway`s most frequently visited attraction covering an area of 150 acres of wild Nordic terrain. It is totally different from other European zoos, which are characterised by bars and heavy padlocks. In Kristiansand Zoo, the animals have wide open spaces in which to roam – however, the visitors are still able to get up close to observe some of the most beautiful animals – like the red panda, which is threatened by extinction.

The first part of the rain forest is alive with a variety of apes and monkeys. Here you will find an open air area where some of the smaller monkeys run wild amongst the trees and climbling areas and swing on the ropes while you can move amongst them! Deeper into the rain forest, the mist and the humid atmosphere, dark and scary passages lead the way to crocodiles, alligators and many other reptiles – You will find more than 800 animals and birds living in as much freedom as possible in a natural environment.

photo credit: pbb

The park has many kilometres of good paths throughout, to enable visitors the possibility to roam for hours. Kristiansand Zoo is working very closely with the World Wild-life Foundation to help save animals under threat of extinction. It offers you the opportunity to see the Nordic wolf, lynx and wolverine in their natural environment.

A trip to Cardamom Town (Kardemomme by) is recommended. The town is based on a well-known children’s story written by Thorbjørn Egner and you will meet all the Kardemomme by’s characters from the book in the park’s main season!

The park is full of surprises – not only will you find animals, but there is also a “Summer Island” (a bathing area), with heated swimming pools. Watch the Pirates battle it out from the Black Lady ship, while you enjoy an ice cream. It’s paradise for both young and old… The Living Park is a place to be remembered – a park to be revisited…

More info: Kristiansand zoo

The Øya Festival is held in August every year, in the Medieval Park on Oslo’s east side – on historical ground, where Oslo was originally built. In beautiful green surroundings, but still in the centre of Oslo, you can hear concerts from three main stages inside the festival area. If you need a break, you can taste delicious ecological food, or buy records, clothes and cartoons from the stalls and tents in the festival’s “shopping street”.

The Club Day on Tuesday, with concerts at many small clubs, works as a warm-up for the four days (Wednesday-Saturday) in the Medieval Park festival area. Wednesday-Saturday after the festival area is closed, there are Øya Night events in some of Oslo night clubs.

More info: Øya Festival

Inferno Metal Festival takes place in Oslo every Easter, and draws metal lovers from all over the world. Norwegian bands have always been important in this genre, and the Inferno festival always has big Norwegian and international names on the programme.

Wednesday is the club day, with concerts at many of the small rock clubs in the centre. Thursday to Saturday Rockefeller and John DEE is where it all happens. A total of about 40 bands in te course of these four Easter days, which makes Inferno the biggest metal festival in Norway.

More info: Inferno Metal Festival

Oslo Jazz Festival has always had the ability to present a wide-ranging festival line-up. The program represents the whole spectrum of jazz and related music, from gospel and blues to latin jazz and electronica. The festival has concerts especially for children, and every year a separate showcase stage presents young, unknown talents. Oslo Jazz Festival puts its mark on the streetlife with jazz parades through the centre.

More info: Oslo Jazz Festival

The Festival strives to keep a continuing high quality with interesting events and performers. We want to offer music of premium quality to the public and be an attractive meeting place for some of the world’s greatest musicians.

Recruitment to chamber music is important to Oslo Chamber Music Festival, and we emphasize having children and adolescents among performers and visitors.

More info: Oslo Chamber Music Festival

The fact that the festival takes place in an open-air public bath creates a unique atmosphere, and if the hot summer weather kicks in, you can combine a refreshing dip in the pool with an unforgettable concert experience!

Norwegian Wood draws a broad audience – you find a dense crowd of people of all ages in the grass hill in front of the stage. There is no age limit to get in!

Through the years, the main stage has hosted artists like Bob Dylan, Van Morrison, Sting, Bryan Ferry, Tori Amos and Lou Reed. While the Underwood stage gives up-and-coming Norwegian bands a chance to present themselves to the festival crowd.

More info: www.norwegianwood.no

Since the first independent Ultima Festival in 1991, over 1500 works by 560 composers from over 40 countries have been performed, and 260 works have had their world premiere at the Festival. One of the main objectives of the Ultima Festival is to promote public interest in innovative art in Norway, and the festival seeks thereby to contri bute to the struggle against conformity, challenging the consciousness of the time, like all contemporary art through the ages. The festival is therefore naturally open to new international impulses. Ultima is also an important source of commissions and engagements for composers and performers. Ultima takes place over 10-14 days in September/October each year.

The performances are held in 15-20 separate venues all over Oslo, ranging from the Oslo Concert Hall and the University Aula with its murals by Edvard Munch, to intimate jazz and club venues such as Blå and the Parkteatret theatre. Ultima’s audiences have increased from an initial 10 000 to 18 000 in 2002. This increase refl ects a growing interest in new, innovative music and related art forms, particularly among the younger audience members.

For more info visit: Ultima

Norway is a strikingly rugged combination of mountains, fjords and glaciers that creates a dramatic landscape stretching across the entire country. Ideal for outdoor adventure with truly breathtaking scenery, Norway boasts some of the most picturesque express boat, ferry and train excursions imaginable. Norway’s cities also beckon travelers indoors to shop, dine and enjoy the arts. Admire the cultural traditions, elaborate folk costumes and fine craftsmanship proudly displayed. While traveling, dine on sumptuous smorgasbords that include an array of breads and marinated herring, fresh salmon, shrimp, lingon and cloud berries.