You'll quickly discover the city's hidden (and not-so-hidden) gems with a little help from the locals. Four Oslo residents who know the city in and out share their top tips on food, culture, and passionate individuals to check out in Oslo.
Bard Ydén is festival director and head programmer for Oslo/Fusion
Bard Ydén is the festival director and head programmer of Norway’s only queer film festival: Oslo/Fusion International Film Festival, as well as senior programmer and editor for the Short Film Festival. A true film festival worker, in other words.
Photo: Private
Where do you go when you need to feel included and full of love in Oslo?
First, I have to highlight the Oslo/Fusion International Film Festival. In 2026 the festival turns 36, and we’ll mark it with a programme where everyone should feel represented. Then I have to mention Baba Bar in Strøget, which feels a bit like coming home after a long day. Queer, LGBTQIA2S, QTBIPOC – Baba has it all! Otherwise, I’ll head to Jamal’s Falafel or to Visit Vestbredden, the Palestine Committee’s annual festival that combines art, food, music, and activism.
Lift up someone who’s done something important or good for our city!
My friend Reidar Engesbak (DJ Deadswan)! He’s one of Oslo’s original club kids, a queer activist, antifascist, journalist for Blikk magazine, and an artist who has elevated queer culture for decades. He means a lot to so many people and is always more interested in lifting up others than himself. I also want to mention the Palestine Action Group and the Palestine Committee in Oslo, who tirelessly fight for justice and freedom of speech. No one is free until everyone is free.
If you were mayor of Oslo for a day, what would you decide?
One day isn’t enough, so I’d decide to stay for four years, with the title Culture Tyrant. Culture cannot survive on small donations from billionaires and millionaires who want to bask in the glory of “saving us” or “coming to our rescue.” Culture is health, and as Culture Tyrant I promise that culture and health will come first, and that this will be unanimously approved!
@oslofusion
@kortfilmfestivalen
Would you like great tips to unique and independent places in Oslo? Get yourself a copy of Lysløypa Oslo 2025! The book gives great discounts to selected places. Think global, act local!
Read Noman Mubashir’s (journalist and TV-host) best tips to Oslo’s hidden gems!
Read Dana Jdid’s (founder of Baba Bar) best tips to Oslo’s hidden gems!
Read Nora Kirkvold Sæter’s (freelance journalist and Lysløypa writer) best tips to Oslo’s hidden gems!
