Oslo has a bustling nightlife that thrives past midnight. The city boasts more than 100 night cafes, clubs, and restaurants, 35 of which stay open till the wee hours of the morning. Oslo is also a favorite destination of international performing artists in classical, pop, rock, and jazz music. Autumn and winter are the seasons for cabaret, theater, and concerts. There are four cabarets and nine theater stages throughout the city.

For movie lovers, Oslo has a lot to offer. The city has one of the most extensive selections in Europe, with 30 screens and 5 large film complexes. Films are shown in their original languages, with subtitles. The best way to find out what’s happening is to pick up a copy of What’s On in Oslo, detailing concerts and theaters and other useful information.

The world-famous Oslo Philharmonic performs regularly under the leadership of Mariss Janson at the Oslo Konserthus. There are no Oslo performances between June 20 and the middle of August.

If you visit Oslo in the winter season, you might be able to see its thriving opera and ballet company, Den Norske Opera. Plays given at the Nationaltheatret  are in Norwegian, so those who know the language should enjoy hearing the original versions of his plays.

There are standard age requirements to enter clubs and bars in Oslo and throughout Norway. For those taverns or other places holding a liquor license only for beer and wine, a visitor must be 18 years old or older. For establishments serving hard liquor, the minimum age is 20. In some reviews, varying age requirements are cited where appropriate.

Oslo has many free events, including summer jazz concerts at the Nationaltheatret. In front of the theater, along the Students’ Grove, you’ll see street entertainers, including singers, clowns, musicians, and jugglers.