17 Mai in London – Celebrate Norway’s National Day like a Norwegian!

17.mai_london_southwark_park
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. This is arguably one of the best family festivals there is in the British capital. Yet unknown to many!

17th of May Committee invites everyone to a grand celebration of Norway’s Constitution Day, Tuesday 17th of May in Southwark Park, London.

So here what’s happening on the day

10am: 17.mai celebration breakfast by Scandinavian Kitchen’s pop-up restaurant. Pre book online.

11am: Church service in the Norwegian Seaman’s Church, followed by coffee. There will be a parade from the church to Southwark Park at 12:30pm.

12pm: Official opening of the celebration in Southwark Park. Entry from Jamaica Road and Christchurch Gate as well as from Paradise Gate. Admission £1 per person.

There will be speeches, live music, theatre and entertainment for the whole family.

1pm Welcome speech by the committee leader followed by the National anthem ‘Ja, vi elsker’.
The parade starts at 1:15pm with everyone encouraged to join in – especially the children.

Throughout the day you can buy food and drinks such as ‘pølse i brød’, Solo, Iskrem and so on. There will also be traditional children’s games from 2:30pm until the celebration ends at 5:15pm.

fusa

You are more than welcome to join on the day, whether you are Norwegian, have Norwegian connections or just like hanging around Norwegians. There will also be great opportunity to see some fantastic traditional Norwegian costumes with many who would be wearing their ‘bunad’ on the day.

Norwegian flags will be on sale in the park – a must for the parade!

Follow and sign up for the event on Facebook – or simply show up on the day.

When? Tuesday 17th of May, all day. And where? In Southwark Park (nearest tube Bermondsey).

Lead image is by photographer Marianne Wie

4 thoughts on “17 Mai in London – Celebrate Norway’s National Day like a Norwegian!

  1. Well, I’m annoyed I missed the event. Our Norwegian friends were over last year and we wanted to attend. The dates now in the diary.

  2. please let me have details of the NORWEGIAN NATIONAL DAY 2017 AS WE WOULD LIKE TO TAKE PART.
    thank you ,

  3. Thank you Helene. The celebration in London is a great way to learn more about and have fun together with Norwegians. 🙂 Best wishes, Bianca x

  4. Wonderful I knew nothing of this celebration in Southwark park until my cousin from Norway told me. Happy 17th mat to all of you. Hopefully I can make next year, or even better be in Norway.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.