The Norwegian National Day is celebrated every year in Southwark Park in London with thousands of Norwegian gathering to walk in the parade, eat hot dogs and sing the national anthem together. Many will bring a picnic and the children can play all day.
One of the most important days in the Norwegian calendar is the 17th of May, Norway’s Constitution Day. In London we have a 17th of May Committee who organises a grand celebration in Southwark Park.
So here what’s happening on the day
11pm: The gates open in Southwark Park. Entry from Jamaica Road and Christchurch Gate as well as from Paradise Gate. Admission £2 per person. The Norwegian Seaman’s Church (across the road for the park in St Olavs Square) invites everyone to a church service, followed by coffee and cake. There will be a parade from the church to Southwark Park at 12:45pm.
The welcome speech starts at 1pm followed by the National anthem ‘Ja, vi elsker’. The main event of the day, which is the parade (where everyone can join in – bring your Norwegian flag!) starts at 1:15pm.
There will be live music, theatre and entertainment to enjoy for the whole family.
Throughout the day you can buy food and drinks such as ‘pølse i brød’ and Solo as well as Norwegian ice cream. There will also be traditional children’s games from 2:30pm until the celebration ends at 4:30pm.
The 17th of May celebration is arguably one of the best family festivals in London this May – and all are welcome!
See the full programme here; sjomannskirken.no/kirke/london
Hey,
We are a bar based in London called Nordic Bar. We love your website and wondered if you’d be interested in featuring our Norwegian Independence day reopening party?
Let us know if you’d like to get involved!
Regards
Charlie
Hipp, Hipp Hurra and Gratulerer med dagen, Ted! x
‘Gratulerer med dagen’
Have a great day. Our English U3A group from Epsom and Ewell will be attending to support you. Although the weather promises to be foul I am sure that the smiles will be big. We will try to keep up with you with waffles and hot dogs and ice creams, but we know that the Norwegians always win! We will wave flags for you!
Ted Morrey: Leader U3A Epsom and Ewell; Scandinavian Interests Group; Leader U3A Epsom and Ewell; Viking History Group. Member of Anglo Norse Society.