Activities in the area
Summer/Autumn
(May-October)
Upcoming events
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FIM Rally
July 7–11, 2025
Norway will host the FIM Rally. The event will take place in Lillehammer and marks a rare opportunity to experience one of the most significant international motorcycle events.
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Birken Bike Race
August 30, 2025
The Birken Bike Race offers a unique experience that combines nature, tradition, and achievement. With the mountains ahead and the finish line in sight at Lillehammer, you can choose between different distances.
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Lillehammer Live
September 05-06, 2025
Lillehammer’s largest music festival offers two days of live music, great atmosphere, and artists from both Norway and abroad. This year’s big highlight for music lovers. Two days filled with music, experiences, and memories for a lifetime.
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Birken street race
September 27, 2025
Birken street race is a new and exciting event right in the heart of Lillehammer. It’s a running festival for everyone who wants to challenge themselves, feel a sense of achievement, and experience the community and unique atmosphere in the city’s streets.
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DølaJazz
October 16-19, 2025
Over the years, Dølafestivalen has developed into one of Norway’s most renowned jazz festivals — not because of its size, but thanks to its intimate atmosphere and close connection between the audience and musicians.
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17th of May celebration
May 17, 2026
There will be celebration and great atmosphere! The town fills up with activities, concerts, parades, and life everywhere — perfect for anyone who wants to experience Lillehammer at its very best. This will be a weekend you won’t want to miss.
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Norwegian Literature Festival
June 01-07, 2026
With approximately 30,000 visitors and 400 authors and artists from around the world, the Norwegian Literature Festival is the largest literature festival in the Nordic countries, offering a diverse program for readers of all ages.
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Birkebeinerløpet
June 13, 2026
Birkebeinerløpet is Norway’s largest cross-country race, offering various distances for all age groups. The race starts at Birkebeineren Ski Stadium and finishes at Håkons Hall in Lillehammer.
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Lillehammerdagene
June 2026 (Date not set)
Lillehammerdagene – a traditional city festival in the heart of Lillehammer, where streets and squares fill with market stalls, concerts, entertainment, and activities for both young and old.
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Sankthansaften
June 23, 2026
A magical Midsummer celebration at Maihaugen, where traditions, culture, and fun come together in beautiful, historic surroundings. Celebrate the bright summer night with bonfires, entertainment, and activities.
Hiking and nature experiences
Lillehammer offers a vast network of trails and hiking opportunities, both nearby and in the mountains. Here, you can enjoy everything from easy walks through forests and fields to longer mountain hikes with fantastic views.
Lysgårdsbakkene Ski Jumping Arena is one of the city’s most famous landmarks. The facility consists of a large and a small ski jump. Try walking up or down the 936 steps and enjoy the great view over Lillehammer. During the summer holiday period, you can take the chairlift up or down.
Take a walk along the Mesna River with waterfalls and cultural trails.
Take the trip up to Balbergkampen for a spectacular view.
Take a pleasant walk along the beautiful waterfront promenade and feel free to stop for a peaceful break at the birdwatching tower. Here you can enjoy the view of Lake Mjøsa, listen to the birdsong, and breathe in the fresh air before continuing your walk.
Nevelfjellet is Lillehammer’s highest peak and one of the most popular hikes in the region. Here, you get panoramic views of both Rondane and Jotunheimen – especially on clear days.
Outdoor swimming spots
When summer arrives, Lillehammer and the surrounding area offer several beautiful outdoor swimming spots – perfect for a refreshing dip or a relaxing day by the water.
At Kroken and along the Mesna River, you’ll find several idyllic bathing spots. You can also combine this with a sauna visit at Kanalen.
Abbortjern is a scenic and popular swimming and fishing pond.
Along Lillehammer’s waterfront promenade by Lake Mjøsa, there are several places to swim. Here, you can combine swimming with café visits or a pleasant walk along the water.
Badedammen is a natural swimming pool where you’ll meet many swimmers during the summer. It is a popular spot with large grassy areas for sunbathing and picnics.
Vingnesvika is one of Lillehammer’s most popular swimming spots – featuring a sandy beach, grassy lawn, and a pier with a diving board. The area is centrally located along the shores of Lake Mjøsa and has facilities such as toilets, trash bins, and some parking – while the Skibladner pier is also nearby.
Cycling
The Lillehammer region is a paradise for cyclists, with over 600 km of marked trails – from gravel roads and forest paths to excellent routes for both mountain and road biking. An e-bike is a great way to explore both Lillehammer’s steep streets and the surrounding areas. Take a sightseeing tour of the city’s attractions and viewpoints, or head out on a day trip to the mountains. E-bikes can be rented at Lillehammer bus and train station.
Start in the heart of Lillehammer town center and pedal across the charming Vingnes Bridge, where you’ll get a beautiful view of Lake Mjøsa. Then continue along the Panoramavegen – a roughly 10 km loop on gravel and paved roads that offers a gentle climb up toward Vingnes and great views of Lake Mjøsa and the surrounding cultural landscape.
For those looking for a scenic and varied bike ride, the route from Lillehammer via Nordseter and Hafjell is highly recommended. The tour combines mountain terrain, traditional summer farm landscapes, and paved roads – perfect for anyone wanting to experience both high mountains and cultural landscapes in a single day.
Lillehammer is home to the Birken races, which offer cycling experiences for all levels across various distances. The most famous is the Birkebeinerrittet – the world’s largest mountain bike race – which runs from Rena to Lillehammer across the mountains, covering 86 km of stunning scenery, gravel roads, and challenging climbs.
Culture
Lillehammer is known as a vibrant cultural town with a rich year-round offering. Here, you’ll find several exciting museums as well as an active theatre and music scene. The town also hosts festivals such as the Literature Festival, Døla Festival, and Lillehammer Live. In the charming pedestrian street, you can explore small galleries, cozy cafés, and shops featuring local art and crafts.
Maihaugen is one of Norway’s largest open-air museums and one of Lillehammer’s top attractions. Here, you can stroll among over 200 historic buildings – from old summer farms to early 20th-century townhouses – and gain insight into Norwegian culture and everyday life through the ages. The museum also features exciting exhibitions, grazing farm animals, and special activities for children – making it a perfect destination for both young and old to experience living history in beautiful surroundings.
Visit Lillehammer Art Museum, which showcases both national and international art; the Norwegian Olympic Museum, which documents Norway’s Olympic history; the Norwegian Postal Museum, offering a fascinating journey through the history of mail in Norway; Sigrid Undset’s Bjerkebæk, where the Nobel Prize-winning author wrote much of her work; and the Norwegian Vehicle History Museum, featuring over 80 historic vehicles and 60 bicycles, ranging from the earliest cars of the 1900s to modern times.
Every summer, Skibladner, known as "The White Swan of Mjøsa," sails from the quay at Vingnes (on the west side of Lillehammer). This is the world’s oldest paddle steamer still in scheduled service, offering a nostalgic journey back to 1856 – with sailings to destinations including Moelv, Gjøvik, and Hamar.
Leisure parks
The Lillehammer region offers exciting experiences for the whole family, featuring some of Norway’s most popular amusement parks.
Hunderfossen Adventure Park is perhaps the most famous amusement park in the region, where both young and old can experience fairy tale castles, trolls, carousels, and spectacular shows. The park also has its own water park.
Just nearby is Lilleputthammer Family Park, a charming miniature town that is perfect for the youngest children. Here, they can ride small trains, cars, and carousels in a safe and cozy atmosphere.
Jorekstad Leisure Pool offers water fun with slides and pools for the whole family.
Lekeland Hafjell is a large indoor playland featuring obstacle courses, a ball pit, and climbing frames – perfect for rainy days.
Lillehammer Lekeland is an indoor playland located in the center of Lillehammer. The mascot, Lille Mø, takes children aged 0 to 9 into her farm world.Lillehammer “Out of Bounds” tilbyr 18-hulls innendørs minigolfbane org tre digitale dartskiver.
