Official opening ceremony 23 February at 18:00 in University Square
Led by the King's Guard and the Staff Band of the Norwegian Armed Forces, a parade of 1 500 children will leave the Royal Palace grounds at 18:00 on their way to University Square. The children will represent the various participating nations, by carrying the countries' flags and wearing their national colours. Mayors from across Norway and the 2 200 volunteers from the Nordic World Ski Championships 2011 organisation (Oslo 2011) are also invited to join the parade.

At University Square, Oslo 2011 Chairman Svein Aaser and FIS President Gian Franco Kasper will formally open the 2011 Nordic World Ski Championships. Oslo Mayor Fabian Stang will welcome the public to the capital city. The official NWSC song will also be performed by Maria Haukaas Mittet, accompanied by the Staff Band of the Norwegian Armed Forces and the King's Guard.

The opening ceremony is free to the public.

Opening show 24 February at 19:00 in University Square
This stage show will feature spectacular costumes, performers, dancers and a fashion show. There will be a magical winter atmosphere here, with electric northern lights, sparkling snow crystals, fresh rosy cheeks, frost in the air and rock 'n roll. With skiing heroes from the past helping as models, Moods of Norway will show their entire "Winter Wonderland" collection on a 70 meter catwalk. Sony Music Entertainment is providing exciting artists and Bårdar dance institute is contributing its talented dancers to fill out the spectacular show. The first medal ceremony, for cross-country sprint, ladies and men, will conclude the show.

The show is free to the public.

Medal ceremonies and concerts in University Square, at 19:00 every day
Every night there will be a stage show and a medal ceremony for the athletes in University Square. Sony Music Entertainment kicks off each of the medal ceremonies with a half-hour music concert. The shows are free to the public.

For a list of artists appearing each day - see the official NWSC calendar on www.oslo2011.no

Ice sculpture park
"Spikersuppa" will be home to an impressive ice sculpture park inspired by the theme "Munch in snow and ice." Here, eight ice artists from around the world will carve out sculptures inspired by Edvard Munch motifs. These will include a giant version of "Girls on the Bridge" which will stand no less than 15 meters high. One thousand tonnes of snow and 70 cubic meters of ice will be delivered to "Spikersuppa" in the weeks leading up to the championship and it will be quite a sight to see the artists working with chainsaws and irons to finish their masterpieces. For more about the project, read here.

Mingling area in Spikersuppa
There will be a separate mingling area, Nordic Park, set up in Spikersuppa. Here you will find authentic Norwegian food served from kiosks and restaurant tents. Woollen clothes and other typical Norwegian products will also be sold in this area. Opening times: 11:00 to 24:00 every day.

NWSC-certified restaurants
The Nordic World Ski Championships will also be a showcase for Norwegian food and ingredients. At night, the public can eat from the NWSC menu at certified restaurants in downtown Oslo. More restaurant information is coming soon.

For an overview of activities and entertainment in Oslo in general, go to VisitsOslos webpage