What is Palmesus?
Palmesus is Scandinavia's largest beach festival, held annually on Bystranda beach in the heart of Kristiansand, Norway. Since its founding in 2009, it has grown from a local event into one of Scandinavia's most anticipated summer festivals for electronic music, hip-hop and pop. The combination of sun, sea and world-class artists on stage makes Palmesus a truly unique experience.
Palmesus 2027 runs over two days, Friday June 25 and Saturday June 26. In 2026 the festival ran on Friday June 26 and Saturday June 27, with doors open at 3 PM both days and concerts running until midnight. Opening hours for 2027 have not been published. Bystranda functions as a natural amphitheatre, with the sandy beach and Kristiansand archipelago as the backdrop. In 2026 the festival drew 8,000 visitors on Friday and 11,000 on Saturday, plus 13,000 at Palmesus Junior on the Thursday.
Over the years Palmesus has hosted international legends including Elton John, Armin van Buuren, Martin Solveig and DJ Snake. In 2026 the biggest names were Alesso, Macklemore and Broiler, supported by a strong Norwegian and international lineup on the Main Stage, the CUPRA Pulse Stage and the three Beach Clubs.
- Friday June 25 and Saturday June 26, 2027
- 2026: opened 3 PM, closed midnight both days
- Located at Bystranda, Kristiansand
- Bystranda beach, central Kristiansand
- Postal code: 4610
- Walking distance from city centre hotels
- 2027: NE-YO plays Saturday June 26, the first name announced
- 2026: around 35 artists and DJs, headlined by Alesso, Macklemore and Broiler
- Electronic, hip-hop and pop
- Beach Pass: 18+ years
- Beach Pass Premium: 20+ years
- Valid photo ID required at entry
How to get to Palmesus
Kristiansand is easy to reach by bus or train from Oslo and other cities in southern Norway. Palmesus strongly recommends public transport. Bystranda is centrally located, and most hotels in central Kristiansand are within comfortable walking distance of the festival area.
From abroad
If you are travelling from outside Norway, the closest airport is Kristiansand Airport (Kjevik), served by Wideroe and SAS with connections to Oslo and other Scandinavian cities. A bus from Kjevik to Kristiansand city centre takes approximately 20 minutes. You can also fly to Oslo Gardermoen and continue by bus or train to Kristiansand.
From Oslo by bus or train
In 2026 Vy was the official Palmesus transport partner and added extra departures on the Vy express coach line VY190 (Oslo-Kristiansand-Stavanger-Haugesund-Bergen) during the festival weekend. The Palmesus app offered a 20% discount on the route in 2026. Departures and discounts for 2027 have not been published. Book at vy.no as the most popular departures filled up early in 2026. Alternatively, take the Go-Ahead Sorlandsbanen train to Kristiansand S, journey approx. 4 hours 40 minutes direct. From the station, Bystranda is approximately 15-20 minutes on foot.
The extra Vy departures filled up early in 2026. Visit vy.no to check availability and book your seat as soon as you have a festival ticket.
- Kristiansand Airport (Kjevik): Wideroe and SAS
- Bus from Kjevik to city centre: ~20 min
- Also possible via Oslo Gardermoen
- Serves Oslo, Stavanger, Haugesund and Bergen
- Line VY190 (20% off via the Palmesus app in 2026)
- Extra departures during the festival weekend
- Sorlandsbanen to Kristiansand S
- Journey: approx. 4 hrs 40 min direct
- Bystranda is central, most hotels walkable
- Car parks close by, and some festival hotels rent out parking
Tickets and wristband exchange
2027: Pre-sale opened on Thursday October 15, 2026 at 11:00, and Early Bird tickets are sold out. When the pre-sale tickets are sold out, the price rises to the next level, according to the organiser. The ticket shop (tickets.palmesus.com, run by Tickster) listed these prices on October 31, 2026: Beach Pass Weekend NOK 2,195, Beach Bundle Weekend (with After Beach) NOK 2,695, Premium Beach Pass Weekend NOK 3,195 and Premium Beach Bundle NOK 3,995. Day passes for Friday or Saturday cost NOK 1,495, and Premium day passes NOK 2,095.
In 2026 Palmesus sold tickets through Ticketmaster.no and palmesus.com. Two main ticket types: Beach Pass (18+) and Beach Pass Premium (20+). Beach Pass Friday or Saturday: from NOK 1,395 (final price NOK 1,495). Beach Pass Weekend: from NOK 2,195 (final NOK 2,395). Premium day passes: from NOK 1,895 (final NOK 2,095). Premium Weekend: from NOK 3,195 (final NOK 3,395). Tickets were digital and had to be exchanged for a physical wristband before entering the festival.
- Friday or Saturday: from NOK 1,395
- Weekend (both days): from NOK 2,195
- 2026: sold at Ticketmaster.no and palmesus.com
- Friday or Saturday: from NOK 1,895
- Weekend (both days): from NOK 3,195
- Exclusive area, limited availability
- Location: Aquarama sports hall, next to Bystranda
- Wednesday to Saturday: 10 AM-10 PM
- Accredited guests: Scandic Bystranda lobby
- No camping at the festival
- Scandic Bystranda: closest hotel to the festival area
- Clarion Hotel Ernst: walkable distance
How wristband exchange worked in 2026
In 2026 you had to exchange your ticket for a physical wristband at the Aquarama sports hall, right next to Bystranda. Wristband exchange was not available at the festival gate. Place and hours for 2027 have not been confirmed. Accredited guests (press, partners, guest list) collect their wristbands in the lobby of the Scandic Bystranda hotel.
Only the ticket holder could collect the wristband. You had to present the ticket and a valid photo ID (passport, national ID card or Norwegian driving licence). Friends could not collect wristbands on your behalf, and the organiser's FAQ says in-person collection is required.
Entry to Palmesus without a wristband is not possible. Bring valid photo ID. In 2026 the exchange point was open Wednesday to Saturday, 10 AM-10 PM.
Key rules and what to bring
Palmesus has a number of rules designed to keep the festival safe and enjoyable for everyone. Read these carefully before you arrive, because security checks at the entrance are thorough. The festival is entirely cashless, so a bank card is essential.
- Alcohol (including drinks in your bag)
- Large bags, umbrellas, camping chairs
- Cameras with detachable lenses, drones
- Selfie sticks and food from outside
- Wristband (collected in advance at Aquarama)
- Valid photo ID (passport or national ID)
- Debit or credit card
- Comfortable shoes for sand and standing
- Palmesus is 100% cashless
- All bars and food stalls accept card
- All card types accepted, including credit cards
- Dedicated wheelchair viewing area with stage view
- Accessible restrooms on the festival grounds
- Pause Room (wellness by Gjensidige) in 2026: 4 PM-10 PM
The Pause Room: wellness support
In 2026 Palmesus had a Pause Room run by Gjensidige, open both festival days from 4 PM to 10 PM. This is a calm space where anyone feeling overwhelmed, anxious or unwell can get support from trained staff. The Pause Room is located within the festival area and is free to use for all wristband holders.
First time at Palmesus? Here is what you need to know
Palmesus is one of Norway's most popular beach festivals, held right on the waterfront in Kristiansand. Whether you are travelling alone or with a group, a little preparation goes a long way. Here are four things first-timers should know before arriving.
The festival runs across two days in late June with multiple stages, food stalls, and a dedicated wellness area. It is a cashless, wristband-only event, so arriving prepared makes a real difference to your day.
Your digital ticket is exchanged for a festival wristband before you enter. In 2026 this happened at the Aquarama sports hall next to the beach, not at the entrance. Once your wristband is on, keep it on for the full weekend.
All vendors inside the festival area accept card payments only, including credit cards. Cash is not accepted. Make sure your bank card is activated for contactless payments before you arrive.
Kristiansand has some of Norway's best summer weather, but conditions can change. Pack sunscreen, a light rain jacket and layers for the evening, as late June weather on the south coast can shift quickly.
All outside drinks and food, large bags, cameras with detachable lenses, selfie sticks and drones are not permitted. Security checks bags at the entrance. Empty soft drinking bottles are the only exception, and there are water stations inside the festival area.
Day-of checklist for Palmesus
Use this checklist the morning of the festival to make sure everything is sorted before heading to Bystranda.
The list covers the most common mistakes first-time visitors make, as well as a few practical reminders even experienced festival-goers tend to overlook.
These tips apply whether this is your first Palmesus or your tenth. A relaxed and organised start to the day makes the whole experience much more enjoyable.
If you are travelling from abroad, check the transport page for details on reaching Kristiansand by train, bus or plane from Oslo and other Norwegian cities.
Frequently asked questions about Palmesus 2027
- The easiest option from Oslo is the Vy express coach, line VY190 (Oslo-Kristiansand-Stavanger-Haugesund-Bergen). In 2026 Vy added extra departures during the festival weekend, and the Palmesus app offered a 20% discount; 2027 details have not been published. You can also take the Go-Ahead train (Sorlandsbanen) to Kristiansand S, about 4 hours 40 minutes direct. From the station, Bystranda is 15-20 minutes on foot. From abroad, fly to Kristiansand Airport (Kjevik) with Wideroe or SAS; a bus connects the airport to the city centre in around 20 minutes. Book at vy.no.
- According to Palmesus, several of the festival hotels have their own parking spaces for rent, and there is plenty of parking capacity in multi-storey car parks close by.
- The Beach Pass requires you to be at least 18 years old. The Beach Pass Premium has an age limit of 20 years. Valid photo ID is checked both at the wristband exchange and at the festival entrance on Bystranda.
- In 2026, wristband exchange took place at the Aquarama sports hall right next to Bystranda, not at the festival entrance, Wednesday to Saturday 10 AM-10 PM. Only the ticket holder could collect the wristband, with valid photo ID. The organiser's FAQ describes the same arrangement without a year, but the place and hours for 2027 have not been confirmed.
- The Beach Pass Premium is an upgraded ticket with access to an exclusive area with a better view and extra facilities. The organiser's FAQ gives it an age limit of 20 years, against 18 for the Beach Pass. Content and price of the Premium pass for 2027 have not been published. In 2026 both ticket types were sold via Ticketmaster.no and palmesus.com.
- Prohibited items include: alcohol, large bags, umbrellas, cameras with detachable lenses, drones, selfie sticks, camping chairs, and food. Palmesus is entirely cashless, and only debit and credit cards are accepted. You should bring: your wristband (collected in advance), valid photo ID, and a debit or credit card.
- No, Palmesus does not have its own camping area. The closest hotel is Scandic Kristiansand Bystranda, and Clarion Hotel Ernst is within walking distance. Hotels fill up in the festival weekend, so book as early as possible. Hostels and campsites are also available in the Kristiansand area.
- Palmesus is 100% cashless. Only card payments are accepted at all bars and food stalls inside the festival area. Make sure to bring a debit or credit card. All types of cards are accepted, including credit cards, and you can pay contactless.
- NE-YO is the first artist announced for Palmesus 2027, according to the organiser's newsletter of October 14, 2026, and he plays on Saturday June 26 according to the ticket shop. More names will follow. In 2026 the Main Stage was headlined by Alesso, Macklemore and Broiler.