Norway's Rockholm Festival finds success above the Arctic Circle

Northern Norway, a region of vast, sparsely populated landscapes, is now home to the world’s northernmost outdoor hard rock festival. Launched as a pilot project in 2024, Rockholm has successfully established itself as a must-visit destination for rock and metal fans, proving that a niche festival can thrive far beyond the Arctic Circle.



The festival’s unique and marketable identity is built around its breathtaking location: Arena Gressholman. Situated on the ocean's edge and surrounded by raw northern nature, the venue offers a stunning and unforgettable setting that has left a strong impression on both artists and attendees.

In its inaugural year, Rockholm hosted a two-day event featuring established acts like Blaze Bayley, Wig Wam, and Keep of Kalessin. The festival received glowing reviews from all corners, validating the organizers' vision and proving that a hard rock festival was long overdue in the region.

Building on that success, the second edition on July 25–26, 2025, proudly presented a new lineup of talent, including Jorn, Freedom Call, and Chez Kane. Once again, performers, guests, and the media praised the festival's unique atmosphere and high-quality production. Many of the artists were so impressed by the location that they combined their performance with a vacation, exploring the beautiful surroundings.

With two successful years under its belt, everything is now in place for Rockholm's continued growth. Early bird tickets for the 2026 festival are already on sale, and the organizers are eager to continue building what is quickly becoming one of the most exclusive and memorable hard rock festivals in the world.