Stavanger Chamber Music Festival

Every summer, Stavanger is filled with the sounds of the world's leading musicians when the Chamber Music Festival invites audiences to concerts in the city's churches, concert halls and unique venues. The festival offers classical experiences in intimate formats – close to the music and close to the performers.

One of the most renowned chamber music festivals in Norway

The Stavanger Chamber Music Festival has established itself as one of the most renowned festivals of its kind in Norway. It brings together an impressive team of both international stars and up-and-coming talents, who together explore everything from the great classics to more innovative works. The concerts take place in beautiful and atmospheric surroundings – from the cathedral and concert hall to smaller, unexpected venues – giving the audience varied and often surprising musical experiences.

A wide and varied programme

The festival's distinctive feature is the proximity between musicians and audience. The intimate setting provides a unique opportunity to experience the music up close, where every breath and interaction becomes part of the whole. The programme is wide-ranging, with concerts, masterclasses and talks that provide insight into both the music and the people behind it. The Stavanger Chamber Music Festival is thus more than a series of concerts – it is a meeting place for passion, artistic exploration and musical community.

Highlights of 2026

Among the highlights is the opening concert In the Belly of the Whale at Stavanger Cathedral, featuring Janáček’s Pohádka (Fairy Tale) and George Crumb’s Vox Balaenae (Voice of the Whale), among other works. Audiences can also experience Ragnhild Hemsing’s new interpretation of Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons on the Hardanger fiddle together with Barokkanerne, as well as a special Mozart evening with the Stavanger Symphony Orchestra and Christian Ihle Hadland. The festival also features storytelling sessions, family performances, yoga concerts, pub-crawl concerts, and a series of chamber music encounters with leading international musicians on stages across the Stavanger region. Explore the full Stavanger Chamber Music Festival 2026 programme ->