News Archive

True Northern Arts Festival has appointed Karin Eriksen as its new Head of Administration. She joins from the position of Chief Municipal Executive in Lavangen Municipality and will take up the role at the beginning of November.

The Festival Exhibition 2026 opens with Kven contemporary art exploring resilience, identity and reconciliation.

On Sunday 21 June, the exhibition Excellent Talent: Drawing the World Into Being opens at Preg in Harstad. The exhibition presents works by three visual artists who, over the course of the spring, have received mentoring, time and adapted support to develop their own artistic practice.

When True Northern Arts Festival opens for the 62nd time, the opening address will be given by Ingrid Lorentzen, Director of Ballet at the Norwegian National Opera & Ballet. Later the same day, the Norwegian National Ballet will take to the stage in Harstad with the opening performance Láhppon/Lost.

When the True Northern Arts Festival programme was released, it took only two weeks before the opening performance of Barnas Festspill: Soft Machine (NO) was sold out. The Festival has now been able to increase capacity for several of the children’s performances – and has released new tickets.

NUK – New Young Art is a cultural festival for young people from across Northern Norway. The festival is held every year, and in 2026 NUK takes place from 21 to 28 June.

This year’s programme has been launched, and you can now apply for a place at NUK or Ungdommens Festspill.

Storsalen, also known as Harstad’s grand hall, has an exciting programme in store when True Northern Arts Festival is held for the 62nd time, from 20 to 27 June 2026. There will be jazz with a big band, film history, a visit from a Ukrainian star pianist together with Norway’s northernmost military band, and an explosive performance where music, acrobatics and stage art merge in a wild and unpredictable circus celebration.

Nordic Hall has become a regular concert venue for many during the True Northern Arts Festival, and in 2026 major musical experiences are once again on the programme when the festival takes place for the 62nd time, from 20 to 27 June. Expect folk pop from Feber, an energetic festival finale with MANNA and Turdus Musicus, a party and hit parade with Madcon, and warm, intimate pop from No. 4.

True Northern Arts Festival has entered into a three-year partnership agreement with HRS. As a strategic sustainability partner, HRS will help make the festival even more environmentally friendly – including through responsibility for waste management during the festival and activities that highlight reuse and sustainability for children and young people.

Up for an evening of guitar solos and mosh-pit energy? Here are three True Northern Arts Festival concerts for anyone who loves rock and punk.

One performance is already sold out, and several others are approaching capacity. If you are planning to attend one of these, you should buy your ticket now.

Have you been put in charge of the summer party at work? On Friday 26 June, the solution may be ready-made: a football party, big screen and festival atmosphere at Quality Hotel Harstad as Norway take on France.

Three evenings you will not want to miss at the True Northern Arts Festival.

Ungdommens Festspill is a five-day activity programme for young people aged 13 to 17. In 2026, Ungdommens Festspill takes place from 21 to 25 June.

Looking for a summer holiday that offers a little more than beaches, barbecues and motorway queues? Then set your course north. From 20 to 27 June 2026, Harstad will be filled with music, dance, theatre, art, food, conversations, children’s experiences and Northern Norwegian summer atmosphere as True Northern Arts Festival takes over the town.

New people. Late summer evenings. A real festival atmosphere in Harstad, 21–25 June.

Are you travelling to Harstad in June? Whether you are coming from the south, from Tromsø, Kvæfjord, Steinkjer or elsewhere in Norway, there are several good ways to get to True Northern Arts Festival.