Norsk Orgelfestival: Enjoy exceptional organ music at a highly-anticipated festival

By Maria Sødal Vole | Photos: Norsk Orgelfestival

Norsk Orgelfestival is one of Norway’s most beloved classical music festivals. Based in Stavanger, the annual four-day festival has been spreading the joy of organ music since 1990. Celebrating its 35th anniversary this year, Norway’s longest-running organ festival shows no signs of slowing down.

Stavanger is one of Norway’s oldest cities. In fact, the city celebrates its 900-year anniversary this year. 2025 also marks the 35th anniversary of the Norsk Orgelfestival. With a long history of championing church and organ music, this is Norway’s oldest organ festival and a true cultural institution.

The theme for this year’s edition is roots, with a focus on the fascinating intersection between traditional church music and Norwegian folk music. “Organ music can create a special atmosphere and community feel among people,” says festival director Edgar Hansen. “Music has its own language where we can all meet – all we have to do is listen.”

Bringing together the best of Norwegian and international musicians, the festival celebrates the rich heritage of church music. The aim for the organisers is to encourage innovation within the field of organ music, striving to present exciting, new music every year. Through highlighting fresh talents alongside well-established musicians, the festival provides audiences with inspiring experiences.

Norsk Orgelfestival: Enjoy exceptional organ music at a highly-anticipated festival

Norsk Orgelfestival features a varied schedule of events demonstrating the broad range of organ music. With several concerts, church services, and events around Stavanger, the festival provides the perfect blend of enjoyment of beautiful music and the development of knowledge with lectures and seminars. A popular feature each year is the organ courses for young people from across Norway. “We’re pleased to provide a meeting point for young people interested in organ music,” Hansen says.

Taking place 11-14 September, the festival makes use of several atmospheric venues. “The Stavanger region has a diverse collection of organs that complement each other and are suited for different types of music,” Hansen explains. “The atmosphere in the venues is extraordinary, adding an interesting element to the events.”

As Norway’s oldest cathedral that has been in continual use since 1125, Stavanger Cathedral is the perfect venue for large organ concerts. And Utstein Monastery is Norway’s best-preserved medieval monastery and is the ideal host for ensemble concerts. One of the festival’s highlights is the concert held at Stavanger Concert Hall, which is a modern venue housing the region’s largest organ. Dating back to the 12th century, Sola ruin church is another beautiful venue, and the Neo-Gothic Sandnes Church also plays host to the festival’s interesting events.