Locals and tourists frequently mix on the cobbled streets of downtown Stavanger, Norway.
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In 2025, the Norwegian city of Stavanger will embark on a year-long celebration of its 900th anniversary, inviting locals and visitors alike to join in commemorating this historic milestone.
Stavanger is Norway’s fourth-biggest city and located on the country’s southwest coast. Although known as a center for Norway’s oil and gas industry, it’s also a tourist hub thanks to its picturesque old town and proximity to natural attractions like the Lysefjord and Pulpit Rock.
The festivities will mark the founding of Stavanger in 1125, a year when the impressive Stavanger Cathedral was completed, establishing the city.
The anniversary promises a year of events and projects that explore Stavanger’s rich history, vibrant present, and forward-looking future. Visitors to Stavanger can play their part too.
Organized by the city of Stavanger in collaboration with key institutions like the Church of Norway, the University of Stavanger, and Museum Stavanger, the celebrations aim to leave a lasting legacy for future generations.
Whether strolling through a glowing cityscape during January’s Glød Light Festival, savoring global cuisine along Pedersgata during the Gladmat Food Festival, or witnessing the historic departure of the emigrant ship Restauration in July, visitors will find countless reasons to immerse themselves in Stavanger’s unique story.
Stavanger 2025: Past, Present, Future
The overarching theme of Stavanger 2025—“Past, Present, Future”—reflects the city’s journey through time.
Past explores Stavanger’s origins and cultural heritage, centered on the Cathedral and its role in shaping the city’s identity. The cathedral has recently undergone a multi-year restoration project. Researchers have discovered a lot of curiosities about the Cathedral during the restorations.
As the birthplace of the city, Stavanger Cathedral will be a focus point for the 900th anniversay celebrations.
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Present highlights the interplay between nature, community, and urban life, with Pedersgata as a hub for food, art, and storytelling. Stavanger’s role as a tourist hub for the southwestern fjords is relevant here.
Future looks forward, focusing on innovation and sustainability, with the Ullandhaug area symbolizing the knowledge hubs driving change. Tough questions will be addressed, including climate and environmental challenges, changing demographics and the resulting welfare models, and the growing digital lifestyle.
It’s not all serious debate, though. Fimbul e-sports club will hold a competition Cathedral in Pixels, which spans the past, present and future themes. The idea is to construct Stavanger Cathedral within the game Minecraft.
“Students can build the cathedral as it looks now, or for example as it looked 400 years ago, or as they think it will look in 400 years. We hope for many creative projects,” said Fimbul’s John Arne Gaard Nilsen.
Major Events Marking Stavanger 2025
The year begins in January with the Glød Light Festival, transforming the city with dazzling light installations that promise to brighten up the winter darkness.
In April, the four-day City Festival takes over Stavanger’s streets with music, dance, and the performance “The Story of Our City,” held across five city center locations.
June is packed with events, including the 900x Hooray! weekend of concerts, historical reenactments, and a unique time capsule project. The redeveloped Pedersgata becomes the focal point during the Gladmat Food Festival, celebrating the city’s culinary diversity with local food and a record-breaking long table.
In July, history comes to life as a replica of the 1825 ship Restauration sets sail from Stavanger harbor, retracing the first Norwegian emigration to America. Locally built, the ship will depart Norway to speeches, songs and music.
Summer continues with Øyhopp 2025, a nine-day festival across Stavanger’s islands, blending music, art, and cultural experiences. Fall brings thought-provoking moments, such as Michael Rakowitz’s exhibition on lost monuments and the debut of The Stavanger Oratorio, a musical tribute to the city’s history.
Stavanger 2025 concludes in December with Into the Future, an event exploring the city’s path forward through culture, technology, and innovation—which is set to be an inspiring finale to a year of celebration.
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