If you’re new to the city of Oslo, you may be surprised to learn about this autumnal tradition. Each year in September, handwritten signs begin to appear on lampposts, school fences and cafe windows reading “Loppemarked i helgen!”—flea market this weekend.
A loppemarked is like a cross between a community flea market and an old-fashioned school jumble sale. It’s how Oslo turns secondhand shopping into a social event—complete with coffee, waffles, and neighborhood chatter.
A smart Norwegian tradition
Oslo has a reputation for being expensive, but loppemarked season is proof that life here doesn’t have to be. This is one of the ways Norwegians quietly make city living more affordable—by buying secondhand, focusing on quality, and reusing what already exists.
You’ll find tables full of gently used clothes, books, kitchenware, and vintage treasures. But the real secret is the kids’ section: high-quality wool layers, winter boots, skis, and backpacks that still have years of life left after one child outgrows them. It’s practical, sustainable, and very Norwegian.
Where to go
From late August through mid-October, loppemarked signs pop up all over the city. Each school hosts its own to raise funds for bands or sports teams, and every market has its own personality.
A few local favorites:
- Bolteløkka School – central, well-organized, and full of finds.
- Smestad and Skøyen Schools – excellent for clothes and furniture.
- Grorud School – friendly and down-to-earth.
- Sørkedalen – worth the trip for scenery (and waffles).
For up-to-date listings, check loppemarkeder.com or Oslo’s neighborhood Facebook groups.
The feeling of fall
There’s something unmistakably cozy about a loppemarked. Parents sip coffee from paper cups while kids sell waffles, and the air smells faintly of autumn and adventure. You might arrive looking for a lamp and leave with a wool sweater, a stack of old novels, and a smile.
It’s Oslo at its most down-to-earth—sustainable, social, and quietly joyful.
Why it matters
Beyond the bargains, loppemarked season captures something essential about life in Norway. It’s about living simply, wasting less, and finding beauty in what’s already around you.
So grab your tote bag and a few coins. Somewhere between the books and the wool jackets, you’ll find a little piece of Oslo’s heart—and maybe a cheaper way to live like a local.
