In 1125, Stavanger Cathedral was completed, marking the beginning of the story of Stavanger as a city and bishopric. Stavanger's 900th anniversary will be celebrated throughout 2025. The 900th anniversary celebration consists of several anniversary projects and initiatives that will celebrate our history, build community and leave a lasting mark.

2024

Mitt Stavanger

The anniversary exhibition "Mitt Stavanger" recounts Stavanger's 900-year history, from 1125 to the present day. The exhibition takes you on a journey through time, featuring people and objects that tell the story of what it was like to live in Stavanger throughout the ages. The museum is open from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM every day.

October: Blikk - walking theatre at Storhaug

In the walking theatre "Blikk," the streets and buildings becomes a stage through which audiences can experience the history of Stavanger's east side. The audience is taken back in time to rediscover the eastern part of the city and hear stories about how people lived there in the past. The performance takes place on October 10th, 11th, and 12^th.

October: Viking's 125th anniversary concert

Of Stavanger's nearly 900-year history, Viking Football Club has been a part of 125 of them. This will be celebrated with a grand anniversary concert. Join us for a unique experience as we journey through Viking's history – with music! The anniversary concerts will take place on October 25th and 26th.

2025

January: Light festival

The Glød Light Festival illuminates the dark month of January with magnificent light installations throughout the city. See the light installations from January 18th to February 2nd.

April: Four-day City Festival

From April 24th to 27th, the streets and city spaces will be filled with music, dance, and storytelling. The main attraction of the City Festival is the performance "The Story of Our City," which showcases five central locations in Stavanger: Bjergsted, the Cathedral, Skansenkaien, Arneageren, and Tou. Each location will uniquely contribute to telling the story of the city.

June: 900x hooray!

During the weekend of Pentecost, June 6th-8th, Vågen will be buzzing with people and music! On June 7th, the Engøyholmen Coastal Culture Center recreates the National Regatta of 1868.

Saga 2025 concludes two years of writing workshops for children by burying a time capsule containing the children's texts in the town square Arneageren. This will be opened at Stavanger's millennium celebration – in 2125.

Stavanger Diocese invites choirs and culture schools from all over Rogaland to the city center on Saturday, June 7th. There will be a Music Festival all day Saturday. On Sunday, June 8th, there will be an anniversary church service in the Stavanger Cathedral.

June: Gladmat in Pedersgata

During the food festival, Gladmat, from June 25th to 28th, Pedersgata will be filled with local food, history, and the world's best long table! Pedersgata encapsulates the city's rich history, offering a diverse array of global food experiences, while serving as the gateway to Stavanger East and its many cultural and culinary experiences.

July: The emigrant ship "Restauration" repeats the voyage

A replica of the emigrant ship "Restauration" repeats the voyage from 1825 and sets sail from Vågen in Stavanger, heading for the promising land of America! This was the first organized Norwegian emigration, and many would follow. 

A replica of the ship from 1825 has been built here in Rogaland, and the crew is trained and well-prepared. Prominent guests will greet the ship as it sets sail, and speeches, songs, and music will accompany "Restauration" on the first part of the journey.

August: Rational Music for An Irrational World

In collaboration with The Chamber Music Festival, John Erik Kaada will present the work "Rational Music for An Irrational World." Performed by himself, with the brilliant Christian Ihle Hadland on piano, the world premiere of Kaada's work will take place in Stavanger Cathedral on August 10th.

August: Island hopping

Øyhopp 2025 is a summer festival set to take place on islands near the city center, including Lindøy, Steinsøy, Tunsøy, Langøy, Hellesøy, Kalvøy, Vassøy, and Store Marøy. The nine-day festival offers much more than music: It will be a celebration of art, culture, and diversity on all the beautiful city islands that are not connected to the mainland Join the summer festival from August 2nd to 10th.

September: Out in nature

On September 6th, Stavanger 2025 and Stavanger Trekking Association invite you to a grand event on Fjøløy, outside Rennesøy. Here you can experience powerful natural forces and beautiful landscapes. In this event, residents gather for hiking and cultural experiences.

September: The Future Festival

Ullandhaug becomes a meeting place for knowledge and experiences. The festival brings together innovative forces and is a meeting place for students from all over Rogaland on September 25th and 26th.

September: Michael Rakowitz - exhibition

Stavanger Art Museum's exhibition with the Iraqi American artist Michael Rakowitz addresses the role of historical monuments. The exhibition will feature the artist's recreations of lost monuments with packaging materials from the Middle East. Exhibition opening on September 27th.

October: The Stavanger Oratorio

Can history come alive? How have the people of our city lived and worked since the establishment of the diocese in 1125? The Stavanger Oratorio is a major artistic project with Tore Renberg as lyricist and Anders Brunvær Hauge as composer. The production describes the individual fates and major events of Stavanger's history brought to life in a series of shorter musical pieces. Maria Drangeid is the director of the work, and Arne Nøst is responsible for the set design. The Stavanger Oratorio will be performed from October 15th and 17th in Stavanger Concert Hall.

December: Into the Future

The anniversary year concludes with "Into the Future", an event that combines culture, technology, and research, taking us into the future after the anniversary year. Ullandhaugtårnet plays a central role. Join Into the future December 12th.