OUR STORY

Tromsø World is a dynamic indoor music festival that celebrates the rich diversity of global sounds, bringing artists from Africa, Latin America, Asia, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East to the Arctic. Since our start in 2022, we’ve been committed to showcasing music that crosses borders and blends cultures — all under the majestic Northern Lights.

Our story began in 2018-2021, when we first ventured into the festival world as a one-day event. We started small but with big dreams, hosting iconic acts such as Les Amazons d’Afrique, DJ Nefertiti, and culminating in an unforgettable performance by Amadou & Mariam in 2021. The response from our audience was overwhelming, and it was clear that Tromsø was hungry for more.

In 2022, we took the leap and expanded to a full-fledged 3-day festival in November. This marked a milestone for us, solidifying our place in the festival calendar and strengthening our bond with Oslo World. The partnership between Tromsø World and Oslo World led to the creation of MOVEMENT NETWORK, a collaborative initiative that connects festivals across Norway and beyond, including Molde Mundo and Skien World. MOVEMENT promotes a unified platform for diverse musical talent and encourages cross-border collaboration, creating opportunities for both artists and audiences to engage with new sounds in an inclusive, community-driven way.

Tromsø World is more than just a festival; it is a celebration of cultural exchange, inclusivity, and sustainability. Through our programming, we aim to challenge boundaries and create space for underrepresented voices in the music industry. Our festival focuses on global diversity, with a special emphasis on artists from the Global South and marginalized regions, enriching the cultural landscape of Tromsø and creating a platform for new perspectives and ideas.

During the years we have managed to host a wide range of artists such as Fatoumata Diawara, Bombino, Pongo, BCUC, Waq Waq Kingdom, Ghetto Kumbe, Gaye Su Akyol, Yin Yin, Mari Boine & Bugge Wesseltoft, TIF, Momi Maiga and many others.

In 2025, we were proud to receive the international Upbeat Future Festival Award, recognizing our commitment to sustainability and cultural diversity. We are also thrilled to have received the Norwegian Live “Best Newcomer” award in 2023, further cementing our place in the Norwegian music scene.

With each edition, we strive to bring Tromsø closer to the world, the world closer to Tromsø, and present the world that Tromsø owns. 

We invite you to join us in this exciting journey — a place where music, art, and culture create lasting memories. Let’s dance together!