You’re now standing on Festplassen, and yes, the name does hint at something festive! This is where the grand festivities of May 17th take place. Norway’s National Day is a major event, like Carnival in Brazil or St Patrick’s Day in Ireland. It’s a huge celebration marking the signing of the country’s first constitution: a day filled with joyful parades, traditional dances, and children marching behind brass bands. In Oslo, the royal family waves to the crowd from their palace balcony. But here in Bergen, the festivities come to life on this square. If you happen to be visiting in May, feel free to join in! By the time the parades begin, most locals have already met with family or friends for a traditional May 17th brunch, fresh bread, scrambled eggs, smoked salmon, and a glass of champagne. Later on, the menu shifts to hot dogs and ice cream. You’ll see Norwegians dressed in beautiful traditional outfits called bunads, with patterns that vary by region. Future secondary school graduates are dressed in red or blue, and parade in their own lively procession. It was actually students who started this tradition the day after the constitution was signed. On May 18th, 1814, they took to the streets to celebrate this long-awaited political achievement. At the time, Norway was still united with Sweden, and the Swedish king banned all gatherings and celebrations. It wasn’t until 1833 that May 17th started being celebrated again, thanks to the poet Henrik Wergeland. Then in 1870, Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson, the man who wrote Norway’s national anthem, came up with the idea of children’s parades. Today, they’re the heart and soul of the celebration. It’s a truly magical time of year, deeply loved by Norwegians. Even if you’re not here in May, it’s well worth being aware of this part of Norway’s culture. Festplassen is also home to Bergen’s charming Christmas market, a winter wonderland straight out of a storybook. Right in front of Festplassen is the city’s central lake, Lille Lungegårdsvannet, which means “the little lake by Lunge’s farm.” A charming promenade surrounds it, perfect for a pleasant stroll in the heart of the city.