The following is a list of notable events and releases of the year 2016 in Norwegian music.
Events
January
21 – Ice Music Festival started in Geilo (January 21–24). 27 – Bodø Jazz Open started in Bodø (January 27–30). 29 – Nordlysfestivalen started in Tromsø (January 29 – February 7).
February
4
The Polarjazz Festival 2016 started in Longyearbyen (February 4–7). Kristiansund Opera Festival opened (February 4–20). 5 – Knut Kristiansen and Bergen Big Band's release concert for the album Kuria Suite at Verftet in Bergen. 7 – Oslo Operaball was arranged in Oslo (February 7). 16 – Andreas Loven's release concert for the album District Six (Losen Records) at Victoria – National Jazz Scene in Oslo. 17 – Uhørt! – Sund jazz program on tour at Victoria – National Jazz Scene in Oslo. 27 – The 54th edition of the Norwegian national Melodi Grand Prix final will select Norway's entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2016.
March
2 – The By:Larm started in Oslo (March 2–5). 3 Frode Alnæs' release concert for the album Kanestrøm (Øra Fonogram) at Victoria – National Jazz Scene in Oslo. Vinterjazzfestivalen started in Fredrikstad (March 3–6). Oslo International Church Music Festival 2016 opened in Oslo (March 3–13). 4 – Narvik Winter Festival started (March 4–13). 18 – Vossajazz started in Voss (March 18–20). 19 Øyvind Skarbø was awarded the 2016 Vossajazzprisen. Nils Økland performs Glødetrådar, the commissioned work for Vossajazz 2016. 23 – Inferno Metal Festival 2016 started in Oslo (March 23–26).
April
21 – Nidaros Blues Festival opened in Trondheim (April 21–24). 22 – SoddJazz started in Inderøy, Nord-Trøndelag (April 22–26). 28 – Karmøygeddon Metal Festival started in Karmøy (April 28–30).
May
2 – Trondheim Jazz Festival started (May 2 – 12). 3 – MaiJazz 2016 started in Stavanger (May 3 – 7). 4 – AnJazz the Hamar Jazz Festival started at Hamar, Norway (May 4 – 7). 25 – The Festspillene i Bergen 2016 started (May 25 – June 8). 26 – The Nattjazz 2016 started in Bergen (May 26 – June 3).
June
2 – Christian Grøvlen is awarded the Robert Levins Pianistpris, a memorial prize, in Oslo by Mona Levin. 15 – Bergenfest 2016 with headliner Sigur Rós (June 15 – 18).
July
6
Kongsberg Jazzfestival 2016 opened with Pat Metheny consert (August 6 – 9). Susanna Wallumrød was recipient of the Kongsberg Jazz Award or DNB.prisen 2016 at the Kongsberg Jazzfestival. 18 – Moldejazz 2016 started with Ola Kvernberg as artist in residence (August 18 – 23).
August
3 – The Notodden Blues Festival start in Notodden, Norway (August 3–6). 4 – The 22nd Hemnesjazz started in Hemnesberget, Norway ( August 4–7). 9 – The 18th Øyafestivalen started in Oslo, Norway ( August 9–13). 10 The 5th Kids in Jazz festival started in Oslo, Norway as part of the Oslo Jazzfestival (August 10–14). The 30th Sildajazz started in Haugesund, Norway (August 10–16). 11 – The Tromsø Jazz Festival started in Tromsø (August 11 – 14). 14 – The 31st Oslo Jazzfestival started in Oslo, Norway with opening concert by Jan Garbarek Group featuring Trilok Gurtu (August 14 – 20).
September
4 – The 11th Punktfestivalen started in Kristiansand, Norway ( September 4–6).
October
13 – The 33rd DølaJazz started in Lillehammer, Norway ( October 13–16).
November
9 – The Vardø Blues Festival (Blues i Vintermørket) started (November 9 – 13).
December
11 – The Nobel Peace Prize Concert was held at Telenor Arena. 29 – The 11th RIBBEjazz starts in Lillestrøm, Norway.
Albums released
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
New Artists
Aksel Rykkvin, boy soprano nominated for Spellemannprisen, and named "The Musician of the Year" during the national part of the Youth Music Championship 2016-2017. Astrid S, singer and recipient of the newcomer Spellemannprisen.
Deaths
January
5 – Hanna-Marie Weydahl, classical pianist (born 1922). 25 – Leif Solberg, contemporary classical composer and organist (born 1914).
February
19 – Harald Devold, jazz saxophonist (born 1964).
March
11 – Kari Diesen Jr., entertainer (born 1939).
April
4 – Andris Snortheim, children's musician (born 1950). 24 – Jan Henrik Kayser, classical pianist (born 1933).
May
25 – Per Øien, classical flutist (born 1937).