Palmesus: Get ready for the beach party of the year

Taking place in the summer city of Kristiansand from July 4-5, Palmesus is Scandinavia’s biggest beach party. With a spectacular lineup featuring some of the world’s best acts, this festival is one you don’t want to miss!

As one of Norway’s most beloved summer holiday destinations, Kristiansand is the ideal spot for a music festival on the beach. Every summer, tens of thousands of people get together at Bystranda, one of Norway’s most beautiful beaches, for the ultimate beach party.

“Kristiansand is the best summer destination – it has the beach, the festival, and the party, but also the convenience of a big city with hotels, restaurants, shopping, and easy access to anything you need,” says marketing manager Henrik Johannessen. “Bystranda is such an idyllic summer spot.”

Palmesus refers to the sound of palm trees swaying in the wind and is the perfect name for a music festival with such a beachy vibe. “Palmesus has a different atmosphere compared to most other festivals,” says Johannessen. “The transition from enjoying the sun, sand, and water during the day to the excitement as the warm summer evening sets in is spectacular. When it gets dark and the main stage explodes with light, fireworks, and fantastic music, it’s just magical!”

With an electric vibe, the annual event is the biggest beach party in Scandinavia. Headlining the festival this year are such heavyweights as Kygo, Stormzy, Fisher, Kamelen, and Tix, while many exciting new acts are also on the lineup, such as Ari Bajgora, who won P3 Gull’s prestigious award Breakthrough of the Year in 2024.

“People love the fact that we get incredible musicians who play some of the world’s biggest stages to do a show at Bystranda, a relatively small beach in the south of Norway,” Johannessen says. “We’re excited to host these world-class acts, but booking amazing up-and-coming performers is also important. We don’t just want the big names, we want the best beach party!’

A non-stop party

This summer, Palmesus is launching the new concept Beach Club. From noon, the fine, sandy beach will be decked out with sun loungers and cabanas – all the things you would typically find in the Caribbean or the Riviera – with BBQ, refreshing drinks, and a range of fun beach activities. It is the perfect start to an incredible day at the beach.

Festival-goers can enjoy a lively pool party at Aquarama, one of Norway’s biggest water parks with a fantastic location on Bystranda. “There is just as much of a party vibe by the pools as on the beach, with beautiful outdoor pools where you can enjoy the atmosphere and music,” the marketing manager says. “And indoors, there is a full-blown party with a stage and live DJs.”

The VIP area at Palmesus is one of Norway’s largest and has an exclusive feel. With DJ booths and plenty of celebs enjoying the festivities, the VIP area allows festival-goers to get away from the hustle and bustle of the crowd for a glass of bubbly while enjoying the music from a fantastic vantage point. “You’ve got the best of both worlds. Our VIP area feels like an upscale beach club in Southern Europe, while the main crowd always has the incredible energy of a rollicking beach party.”

“Palmesus is a full-day experience that you can’t get anywhere else in Norway. And the party isn’t over just because we’re done at the beach,” Johannessen says. “The fun doesn’t end after the last shows of the evening. Palmesus After Beach takes over Kristiansand, with world-class DJs playing at some of the city’s best nightclubs.”

Vibrant festival atmosphere

While most other festivals offer camping and muddy fields, Palmesus attendees can stay at one of Kristiansand’s fantastic hotels. Palmesus often takes over local hotels with entertainment and DJ sets, bringing the vibrant festival feel to the hotel experience, explains Johannessen; “Many visitors like the fact that they can pop back to the hotel to shower and get ready before the night’s festivities, and that they get to sleep in a comfy bed.”

The city with all its fantastic amenities is close by, but Palmesus will have all your needs covered, so you don’t need to miss out on anything. Foodies will have plenty to choose from in the festival area, with delicious pizza, BBQ, a Joe and the Juice collaboration, Los Tacos food trucks bringing the Mexican heat, a small McDonalds being constructed just for festival-goers, and an exclusive menu in the VIP-area.

Delicious drinks will also be close at hand, with several speciality bars serving different options. “There’s lots of great food and drink experiences waiting to be discovered – it would be boring to have the same drinks in every bar,” Johannessen adds. “We want visitors to explore the area, have fun, meet people, and find delicious drinks at different places. The most important thing festival-goers should bring to Palmesus is a big smile!”

Web: www.palmesus.com
Facebook: Palmesus
Instagram: @palmesus