In 2026, Tromsø is the European Youth Capital – and fittingly, our final programme announcement, the crowning touch of the main programme, puts young people front and centre!

The collaboration with the Music Conservatory at UiT The Arctic University of Norway has long been a cornerstone of the Northern Lights Festival, and in 2026 this is celebrated through two special projects:

Star guitarist, songwriter and vocalist Tora Dahle Aagård is set to give her very first concert in Tromsø, performing alongside the exceptional rhythmic talents from Konsen. This will be a unique Tromsø debut at Verdensteatret on 5 February.

On Wednesday, 4 February, at Mack Kjeller 4, the classical students from Konsen will serve up a humorous musical menu featuring Bach’s tribute to the coffee cup and meditation on the tobacco pipe, Handel’s toast to wine, and Purcell’s “dirty” songs.

This year, we are expanding our collaborative horizons and, for the first time, presenting a concert in partnership with Arctic Pride. Together, they present VEGARD from Karasjok, who on 7 February will deliver an explosive and energetic show at The Edge – a celebration of pride, freedom, and Sámi identity.

In addition, the festival presents Mie Bergh with the Northern Norwegian Youth Big Band. This is the region’s most important talent platform for jazz – and a chance to hear tomorrow’s musicians before anyone else.

We will, of course, welcome back Rising Stars, the traditional concert in the Festsalen where you will meet young talents from the Municipal School of Music and Performing Arts, as well as the winners of UMM.

We will also meet artists who were once young themselves and helped shape Tromsø as a music city. Join us for a Book Talk celebrating the new release The Story of The Jet Blacks by Robert Dyrnes, in a conversation led by Kent-Einar Myreng.

Music in Nordland invites audiences to a free chamber music concert in the Festsalen on 3 February, offering a beautiful encounter with the giants of Romanticism.

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