The Arctic Arts Festival (Festspillene i Nord-Norge) is Norway's largest festival outside the Bergen International Festival, and the biggest cultural event in the north of the country. It runs for about ten days in June and brings together theatre, music, dance, visual art, and outdoor performances across venues throughout Harstad and the surrounding area.
The setting is part of what makes it special — midnight sun performances, events on and near the water, and the backdrop of the northern landscape give the festival a character that distinguishes it from any equivalent in southern Norway. It has been running since 1965 and draws artists and audiences from across Scandinavia and internationally. Timing a visit to Harstad around the festival is worthwhile.