The Oslo Tree, Oslo (Norway): visitor information and tickets

The Oslo Tree is a large, illuminated public art installation on the Oslo waterfront, set by Trettenparken and outside Skur 13 on the Harbour Promenade. It is best for an evening walk with a quick photo stop, especially if the trip already includes Aker Brygge and Tjuvholmen.

Last updated: 2026

The Oslo Tree facts for visitors: Quick overview and key details

Quick overview

• Best for: a short evening stop on the west-side waterfront

• Location: Filipstadkaia (Trettenparken), behind Tjuvholmen, outside Skur 13

• Tickets: none, it is an outdoor installation in public space

• Time needed: 10 to 30 minutes, longer if paired with the harbour promenade walk

Key facts

• Height: 14 metres (confirmed by VisitOSLO’s Harbour Promenade guide and the official Oslo Tree description).

• Structure: the official description states 15,000 leaves and 150,000 computer-controlled LED lights (Oslo Tree official description).

• Setting: the installation sits by Trettenparken at Filipstad, a waterfront activity area by Skur 13 (Trettenparken background).

• Unveiled date: 1 December 2019 (listed in the Trettenparken entry, Oslo byleksikon).

• LED count discrepancy: one local reference lists 125,000 programmable LED lights (Not confirmed against the official spec, see Trettenparken entry and confirm current figures on the official Oslo Tree page).

Tickets and how to book without wasting time

There is no ticket system for The Oslo Tree, it is a public outdoor installation you visit on foot. The only “booking” that matters is planning transport and timing so the lights are visible.

The Oslo Tree visitor information

Start with the official Oslo Tree description and updates for confirmed dimensions and technical details, then use Oslo travel information to plan the wider day if this stop is part of a short city break.

Opening hours and best time to visit

The Oslo Tree is outdoors in a public area, so it can typically be visited at any time (Not confirmed as a formal 24/7 policy, because no official opening-hours page is published for the installation). The practical pattern is simple: it matters most after dark, when the LED leaves light up and the installation reads as a light artwork rather than a daytime landmark.

Season changes the experience. In winter, darkness arrives early and the stop works well as a short evening detour on the way to dinner. In summer, you may need to come late for full darkness, which can make it less convenient for families with early schedules.

For seasonal switch-on notes and event nights, check the official @oslotreet updates (times and announcements vary).

How to get there

The simplest approach is to treat this as part of the waterfront walk. The tree is described by VisitOSLO as being outside Skur 13 at the Filipstad docks, behind Tjuvholmen (Harbour Promenade guide).

If using public transport, plan with the official journey tools first, then walk the final stretch along the water.

Transit options (keep it simple):

• Walk from Aker Brygge or Tjuvholmen, follow the waterfront west towards Filipstadkaia.

• Use the Ruter journey planner and search for “Skur 13” or “Tjuvholmen”, then walk to the waterfront.

• For ticket and validation basics in Oslo, use Oslo public transport 2026: tickets, zones, apps, fines.

• Arriving the same day by air? Use Oslo airport to city center travel information to avoid zone mistakes and late-night transfer traps.

What you actually do inside (route logic + highlights)

This is a stop-and-stroll sight rather than a venue with an interior. Approach it on foot from the harbour promenade so the view opens up gradually, then walk a full loop around the base for different angles as the light patterns shift.

A practical route that works well is waterfront walk first, then pause at the tree, then decide whether to continue to Skur 13 or head back towards Aker Brygge. The trade-off is that the best viewing is after dark, but the waterfront can be windy and exposed, and low light can make photos harder without steady hands.

How long to plan (short, standard, longer)

A short stop is 10 minutes, enough for a look, a loop, and one or two photos.

A standard visit is 30 to 45 minutes if paired with a relaxed walk along the Harbour Promenade segment around Filipstad and Tjuvholmen.

A longer plan is 90 minutes to 2 hours if combining the stop with nearby waterfront time and a session at Skur 13 (opening hours and activities vary, see Skur 13 indoor skate park).

Accessibility, families, constraints

Access is generally step-free because this is a flat waterfront area with paths and open space (Not confirmed as a fully audited accessibility route for every approach). It works well for strollers and wheelchair users when surfaces are clear of snow and ice.

Not ideal for: anyone who needs a warm indoor fallback, because the visit is outdoors and weather-exposed.

If the plan includes Skur 13 as a warm indoor backup, confirm details on the operator’s official site, including address and current opening hours (Skur 13 official site).

Rules, security, surprises

No dedicated “visitor rules” page is published for The Oslo Tree itself (Not confirmed). Treat it like public art in a shared park setting: do not climb the structure, and keep clear if maintenance is underway.

The area around Skur 13 can be active, with skaters and people using outdoor exercise equipment, so expect a mixed-use public space rather than a quiet viewpoint.

Costs and money on site

Seeing the installation costs nothing, and there are no tickets.

If travelling by public transport, the relevant cost is your Ruter ticket. From 25 January 2026, the Zone 1 adult single ticket is listed as 46 NOK on Ruter-linked guidance (Not confirmed in EUR, see Oslo public transport 2026: tickets, zones, apps, fines and confirm on the official Ruter ticket information).

Practical tips that actually change the day

• Go after dark if the goal is the light artwork, daylight visits are less distinctive.

• Use the Harbour Promenade guide to connect this stop with a logical waterfront walk instead of a stand-alone detour.

• In winter, wear shoes with grip, the waterfront can be icy.

• If arriving from the airport, plan your first Oslo ticket and zones in advance using Oslo airport to city center travel information.

• If using public transport in the evening, activate tickets before boarding and keep proof ready, see Oslo public transport 2026: tickets, zones, apps, fines.

• Check for temporary works in the Filipstad area, the waterfront is in long-term redevelopment (Not confirmed for any specific dates, monitor official updates via VisitOSLO).

  
  

FAQ

Where is The Oslo Tree in Oslo?

It is at Filipstadkaia by Trettenparken, outside Skur 13 and behind Tjuvholmen on the Oslo waterfront. The location is described in VisitOSLO’s Harbour Promenade guide.

Do you need tickets for The Oslo Tree?

No, there are no tickets, it is an outdoor installation in public space. Use the official Oslo Tree page if a special event or temporary closure is announced.

What is the best time to visit The Oslo Tree?

After dark, because the LED leaves are what make it worth stopping for. In summer, full darkness comes late, which can shift the best photo time to late evening.

What time do the lights turn on at The Oslo Tree?

The lights are visible at night, but an exact daily switch-on time is not published (Not confirmed). Check the official @oslotreet updates for seasonal announcements.

How tall is The Oslo Tree?

14 metres, based on both VisitOSLO and the official Oslo Tree description. For current specs, verify on the official Oslo Tree page.

Is The Oslo Tree worth visiting in daylight?

Yes as part of a waterfront walk, but the core experience is the lighting after dark. If daylight is the only option, treat it as a quick stop while walking the harbour promenade.

How do you get to The Oslo Tree from Oslo Central Station (Oslo S)?

Take public transport towards Aker Brygge or Tjuvholmen, then walk along the waterfront to Filipstadkaia. Plan the exact stop and route in the Ruter journey planner.

Is The Oslo Tree part of the Harbour Promenade in Oslo?

Yes, it is mentioned as a stop outside Skur 13 on the Filipstad section of the route. Use the Harbour Promenade guide for the wider walking plan.

Can you combine The Oslo Tree with Skur 13?

Yes, they are next to each other, and Skur 13 can act as an indoor activity stop near the tree. Confirm current opening hours and offers on the Skur 13 official site.

Is The Oslo Tree suitable for families with strollers?

Generally yes, because it is in an open, flat waterfront area, but surface conditions in winter can change quickly (Not confirmed as an always-cleared route). If visiting in icy conditions, plan for slower walking time.

How long should you spend at The Oslo Tree?

Plan 10 to 30 minutes for the tree itself. Add extra time if turning it into a waterfront walk or pairing it with Skur 13.