Trondelag Food Festival

Trondelag Matfestival has run since 1998 and takes place over several days at the end of July or start of August in the central square and surrounding streets of Trondheim, with several hundred stalls from farms, dairies, breweries, bakeries and fisheries, most of them from Trondelag and neighbouring regions. It is deliberately producer-focused rather than restaurant-focused: makers stand behind their own stalls and sell what they have grown or made, which distinguishes it from festivals built around chefs. The programme includes competitions, a farmers' market, cooking demonstrations and a beer festival, and it usually overlaps with Olavsfest, so the city carries two large events at once.

What you actually see

• The producer stalls - farms, dairies and breweries selling their own goods.
• The regional focus - Trondelag food traditions including sodd and cured meats.
• The competitions - regional and national food and drink judging.
• The overlap with Olavsfest - two festivals running in the city together.

When to go

Late July into early August, usually overlapping with Olavsfest; dates are announced in spring. The city is at its busiest that week and accommodation books out well ahead.

Honest expectations

Crowds are heavy and the central streets are congested. Accommodation is very hard to find during the overlap with Olavsfest. Much of the signage and programme is in Norwegian.

Nearby

Nidaros Cathedral and Olavsfest are central; Bakklandet and Ravnkloa are a short walk.