Rørosmartnan or Røros Fair 2025 in Norway

Rørosmartnan, or Røros Fair, is an outstanding market founded back in 1853 per a royal decree featuring around 250 vendors and drawing 70,000 visitors every winter to the UNESCO World Heritage town of Røros. Following the tradition, the great market opens with a ceremonial arrival of over 80 horse-drawn sleds overloaded with the finest goods from Sweden, Østerdalen, Gudbrandsdalen, Gauldalen, Hedmark, Selbu, and Tydal that have been traveling for two weeks towards Røros. The main action of Rørosmartnan takes place in the "backyards" of the town. This large national event is held in mid-February.

Festival Program & Events

Spanning over five days, the Røros Fair offers a jam-packed program of attractions, which will keep you busy during your entire stay at the fair. The festivities kick off on Tuesday with a traditional opening ceremony, with bells and horns announcing the grand arrival of more than 80 vendor sleighs and carriages. Folk singing and dancing and official speeches by the Minister of Finance are also part of the ceremony.

The event kicks into action a whirlwind of festivities, which include the best traditions and customs of Norwegian culture. From history lessons, workshops, horse riding, reindeer attractions, and exhibits to tombola games and mouthwatering food, Rørosmartnan is an embodiment of Norwegian culture and showcases its most vibrant parts. Families with children can follow a map of kid-friendly activities and explore the festival to the fullest. Overall, the entire program features up to 350 events throughout the city center.

Schedule & Hours

The event annually begins on the second to last Tuesday in February. The fair is open from noon to 5 p.m. on Tuesday and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. The opening ceremony kicks off sharp at 12 pm on Tuesday.

Tickets

Most events at Rørosmartnan are completely free and require no admission fees. However, some concerts and attractions may require tickets, which can be purchased at the door. If you plan to visit Martnashallen, tickets are priced at 100 Norwegian kroner, with discounted rates of 50 Norwegian kroner for students and children under 16. Children accompanied by an adult ticketholder can enter for free. For those planning to enjoy several days at Martnashallen, a weekly ticket is available for 200 Norwegian kroner, with a discounted price of 100 Norwegian kroner for students and children.

Location

The entire festival spans throughout the city center of Røros, with the trade fair and market unfolding in Martnashallen, just 0.3 miles (0.5 km) from the heart of the town. Some of the locations include streets of Mørkstugata, Hans Aasengata, Kjerkgata, Rau-veta, and Bergmannsgata, as well as Røros Museum attractions in Smelthytta, Doktortjønna, and Kurantgården.

History & Origins of the Fair

In the past, Røros was known as a mining town and served as a center of the Røros Copper Works mining community. Due to a lack of road connections, most of the vendors and traders came to town during winter, when sleigh rides made traveling with goods significantly faster. The unofficial markets culminated in an official, one-of-a-kind Røros Fair in 1854, which drew huge crowds to the stalls, entertainment, and food. The market has been held for 167 consecutive years from 1854 until 2020 and was brought back after the pandemic in 2023.