8 Best Performing Arts Venues in Bergen, Norway

Bergensers love jazz. The Bergen Jazz Forum is the place to find it—there are concerts every Friday from September to May. Also, more than 40 concerts are offered in the 10-day international Nattjazz festival in late May and early June.

One of the city's most majestic buildings, the Art Nouveau Den Nationale Scene first opened its doors in 1906 with a performance before the royal family. The National Theater is worth a visit just to see the opulent main theater, which hosts lavish Broadway-style productions. Smaller venues inside the august building include the 250-seat Småscenen and the 90-seat Lille Scene.

At this student-run venue in a handsome brick building, there are pop, rock, and jazz concerts most of the year.

This popular concert and theater venue sits on Bergen's main drag. Edvard Grieg performed here, and so have artists from Sergei Rachmaninoff to Rickie Lee Jones.

Held the last week of May and first week of June, this very popular festival brings famous names in classical music, jazz, ballet, the arts, and theater to town.

During the academic year, college students and other music fans head here for rock concerts in a rebuilt air-raid shelter.

One of the largest theaters in Bergen, the Ole Bull Scene mounts an impressive variety of stand-up performances, rock concerts, and theatrical events. Smaller shows are presented in the Lille Ole Bull, which becomes a nightclub on weekends.