Ålesund food festival celebrates Norwegian coastal cuisine

The annual Matfestivalen i Ålesund, recognized as Norway’s oldest food festival, is scheduled to take place from Thursday, August 27, to Saturday, August 29, 2026. The 42nd edition of the event will transform the city center and harbor areas of Ålesund into a hub for local food producers, chefs, and visitors.

Under the theme “Sea and land hand in hand,” the festival highlights the connection between the fisheries and agriculture of the Møre og Romsdal region. The program is designed as an open city-wide route featuring market stalls, tastings, and direct interaction with producers. Key activities include a farmers’ market, street food, confectionery, and children’s programming, with the primary venue located around St. Olavs plass.

To accommodate the festival's footprint in the urban core, the municipality has announced temporary changes to local bus lines and street traffic.