Norway's national day: 17th of May in Drøbak

Hurrah for May 17th!

Hurrah for May 17th – with the same values and traditions! We must cherish our democracy and honor those who have contributed to our country. And of course, enjoy hot dogs and ice cream at Drøbak Square – and wave to the graduating students, the “russ.”

May 17th marks the day Norway adopted its constitution in 1814, becoming a free and independent nation. It is a day to celebrate our freedoms, democracy, and equality. A day to honor our rich cultural life, our beautiful landscapes, and our proud history. It is also a day to remember those who have fought for our freedoms, both in the past and today. We pay tribute to our veterans, our armed forces, and everyone who has made a contribution to our nation.

Let us celebrate this day together with joy, pride, and gratitude. Let us show the world how proud we are to be Norwegian, and how much we value our freedom, democracy, and sense of community.

Morning Program

08:00 – Drøbak Square

• Salute from Oscarsborg Fortress
• Flag ceremony and flag raising by the Frogn Scouts at the municipal flagpoles
• National anthem performed by Drøbak Brass Band and Drøbak Men’s Choir
• Speech and laying of flowers at the bust of Christian Magnus Falsen: Jarle Sveen, teacher at Drøbak Montessori Secondary School
(Note: This year, there will be no flag procession or music from Lehmannsbrygga.)

08:15 – Badeparken

Speeches and flower-laying ceremonies at:
• The bust of Niels Carlsen: Eva Tønnesen, Chair of the Old Drøbak Preservation Society
• The bust of Colonel Birger Eriksen: Per Egil Grimstad, Commander of Oscarsborg Fortress
• The memorial for those from Frogn who fell during World War II: Mayor Sigbjørn Odden
Singing by Drøbak Men’s Choir and music by Drøbak Brass Band

May 17th Youth Breakfast

From 08:15 to 09:45, a May 17th breakfast will be held at Seiersten Secondary School for current and former students of Seiersten, Dyrløkkeåsen, and Drøbak Montessori secondary schools. Welcome!

The full program with times can be found here.

Program for the Day

Children’s Parade – Departure at 10:00 AM – see assembly times below.

09:40: School groups meet at the bus turnaround at Seiersten
10:00: Kindergartens meet in the parking lot south of Frogn Town Hall
The “russ” (graduating students) may walk at the end of the parade. No buses or cars allowed.

Here you’ll find the parade route for both the children’s parade and the civic parade: Parade Routes May 17 (.pdf)

Parade Route:
Bus turnaround at Seiersten → Ullerudveien → around the Health Building → down Ullerudveien → onto Osloveien → Niels Carlsens gate → Kirkegata → Kroketønna → Havnegata → Carlsebakken → Storgata → The Town Square (Torget) → Wienerbrødskjæringa → Bankløkka

Kindergartens will join the parade from the lower parking lot at the town hall and merge into the parade on Osloveien after the schools have completed the loop up to the Health Building at Ullerud. At Bankløkka, kindergartens will line up along Kirkegata, as there isn’t enough space for everyone at Bankløkka.

Parade Order:
Flag bearers/Scouts – May 17th Committee – Drøbak-Frogn School Band – Schools: Montessori Primary – Montessori Secondary – Drøbak – Heer – Drøbak Brass Band – Dyrløkkeåsen – Seiersten – Sogsti – Red Cross Rescue Team – Kindergartens: Heer – Trollberget – Solgry – Lindebakken – Sogstieika – Ullerud – Tertitten – Heer Community House – Dyrløkkeåsen – Bjerkeveien – Drøbak Drum Ladies

At Bankløkka:

Community singing: “Ja, vi elsker” with Drøbak Brass Band
12:00 PM: Royal Salute from Oscarsborg Fortress, 21-gun salute. 

The Drøbak-Frogn School Band will hold a mini concert in Kirkeparken immediately after the children’s parade ends.

11:00 AM – 1:00 PM: Drøbak Church – Open Church
12:15 PM: Musical Devotion with Drøbak Men’s Choir, soloist Cesilie Skaslien, organist Lorenzo Nardocci, and Pastor Kjell Ivar Berger

4:30 PM: Civic Parade (Borgertog)

Note: Both the children’s parade and the civic parade require physical road closures.
This is carried out in cooperation with the Norwegian Public Roads Administration. Roads will be reopened as the parade passes, but there will be some changes to bus routes on May 17th. Please check Ruter.no for updated bus schedules.

Restaurants and Dining

Most restaurants and eateries in downtown Drøbak will be open on May 17th, and many will offer special May 17th menus and designated seating times.

Open on May 17th – Drøbak Aquarium

Drøbak Aquarium gives you an up-close look at the rich wildlife of the Oslofjord, even on Norway’s National Day. Read more about Drøbak Aquarium here.