May 17th celebration

17th of May and the children’s parade

This tradition was introduced by King Haakon in 1906, and today the 17th of May and the children’s parade are virtually synonymous.

For more than 100 years, the Royal Family has gathered on the balcony of the Royal Palace in Oslo on Norway’s national day, 17 mai, to wave to the children’s parade.
Norway’s national day is not celebrated with military parades, but with local children’s parades made up of school children marching behind an amateur brass band. In many places, there are games and other fun activities for the children after the parade. It is a festive day for everyone, but perhaps most of all for children. They are dressed in their best party clothes, and can enjoy lots of hot-dogs, ice cream, fizzy drinks and cake.

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