Borealis is dedicated to being a welcoming, inclusive and accessible festival. We are working on new approaches in access and audience engagement. While we are committed to accessibility for disabled people, we still have a lot to learn and any feedback is welcome. If you have any ideas about what we could do better or just want to know more about our access policies or venue facilities, please get in touch at tilgjengelighet@borealisfestival.no .
Not all our venues are accessible, and you may find some of our performances more suitable than others. Below is a list of each venue’s accessibility as well as what to expect from each performance.
Tickets
Personal Assistant / Companion Tickets:
If you require the assistance of a friend or helper to attend, we can make a free ticket available for your companion. You can book access companion tickets by contacting the Box Office on billett@borealisfestival.no.
Reserved Seating is available on request. Message us at billett@borealisfestival.no with your request and we will do our best to accommodate you. You are also welcome to bring your own chair.
Accessibility in venues
BEK – Bergen Centre for Electronic Arts
Accessibility to the venue:
Staircase up to the 1st floor, then an elevator up to the 8th floor, and another staircase up to the 9th floor, where the venue is located.
Toilets:
Two all gender toilets. Unfortunately not HC adapted.
Public Transport:
Bus stop Tollboden with line 11 is the nearest public transport option. Has bike parking. A city bike stop is also right by.
Parking / Point of Delivery:
You can park at Tollbodkaien, or drop off people right outside.
Service dogs:
Service dogs are welcome.
Silent Zone:
No designated silent zone, but it’s possible to take a break in one of the studio rooms, or get some fresh air on the balcony if in need of some quiet time during the events.
Hearing impaired facility:
No
Contact person:
For further questions about BEKs accessibility, please contact asne@bek.no or tilgjengelighet@borealisfestivalen.no
Bergen Internasjonale Kultursenter
Accessibility to the venue:
Limited access. They have a staircase lift with a built-in seat which takes you up to the concert hall on 2nd floor. It’s not possible to connect it to wheelchairs. Only staircase available to the dining hall and offices.
Toilets:
Accessible toilet on ground floor. There will be all gender toilets during the festival.
Public Transport:
Byparken light rail stop is 5 minutes away by foot. City bike stop two minutes away. Torget or Olav Kyrresgate are the closest bus stops, 5 minutes away by foot.
Parking/ Point of Delivery:
Limited parking possibilities. There is a tiny parking lot in the backyard, with parking fees. It’s possible to deliver by the entrance, but not possible to park there.
Service dogs:
Yes
Silent Zone:
No (there are multiple rooms available, but it’s not sound proof).
Hearing impaired facility:
No
Contact person:
For further questions about Bergen internasjonale kultursenter’s accessibility, please contact synnove@bergeninternasjonalesenter.no / +47 53 51 03 40 or tilgjengelighet@borealisfestival.no
Bergen Kjøtt
Accessibility to the venue:
Cafe and ticket foaje has step free entrance from street level.
Fabrikkhallen (the event venue in 2nd floor) can be accessed only by stairs (150 cm wide). All doors are minimum 90 cm wide. Unfortunately, there is no elevator during the festival, due to renovations.
Toilets:
Bergen Kjøtt has all gender toilet facilities, and accessible toilets on 1st floor, with a 100 cm wide door.
Public transport:
Closest bus stop is Skutevikstorget, 50 meters away. There are also City bike stops right by the bus stop.
Parking / Delivery:
There is dedicated HC parking at Bergen Kjøtt’s private driveway on the side of the building. Parking has to be reserved in advance. There is a delivery point / short-term parking right outside the building.
Service dogs:
Yes
Silent zone:
No
Hearing impaired facility:
No
Contact person:
For further questions about Bergen Kjøtt’s accessibility, please contact info@bergenkjott.org / +47 468 93 945 or tilgjengelighet@borealisfestival.no
Bergen Kunsthall & Landmark
Accessibility to the venue:
During daytime, there is access for wheelchair users on the shorter side of the building – ring the doorbell and someone will come and open. During evening events there will be a guard outside the main entrance, who is ready to help you access the glass door to the right of the main entrance.
Toilets:
Landmark has all gender toilets, and accessible toilet in the 1st floor, with a 100 cm door width.
Public transport:
Light rail stop Byparken is 4 minutes away by foot. Closest bus stop is Olav Kyrres gate and those around Festplassen. City bike stops on both ends of the street.
Parking / Delivery:
There are no parking spots right by Bergen Kunsthall, but it’s possible to drop people off in front of the entrance. Closest parking is right down the street in Grieghallen Parkeringshus, or at Bergen Storsenter, 4 minutes away.
Service dogs:
Yes
Silent zone:
No
Hearing impaired facility:
No
Contact person:
For further questions regarding Bergen Kunsthall’s accessibility, please contact bergen@kunsthall.no / +47 940 15 050, or tilgjengelighet@borealisfestival.no
Bergen Library
Accessibility to the venue:
Step-free access from street level, elevator to all other floors.
Toilets:
The library has all gender toilets, and accessible toilets on 1st floor, with its door 100 cm wide.
Public transport:
Nonneseter light rail stop is right outside, and you can walk from Bergen Busstasjon / Bergen Storsenter. City bike stop 200 meters away.
Parking / Delivery:
Parking in Bergen Storsenter, with parking fee.
Service dogs:
Yes
Silent zone:
Yes
Hearing impaired facility:
Yes
Contact person:
For further questions about Bergen Public Library’s accessibility, please contact +47 55 56 85 00 or tilgjengelighet@borealisfestival.no .
Cornerteateret
Accessibility to the venue:
Step-free access to the building, all rooms on ground floor.
Toilets:
HC toilets available. During the festival, the toilets will also be marked as gender neutral.
Public transport:
Florida light rail 7 minute walk away. There are multiple busses going to Møhlenpris bus stop, 10 minutes walk away. City bike parking is right by as well, often with lots of spaces available.
Parking / Delivery:
It’s easy to park close by, with parking fee.
Service dogs:
Silent zone:
No
Hearing impaired facility:
No
Contact person:
For further questions about Cornerteateret’s accessibility, please contact christer@cornerteateret.no / +47 926 20 025 or tilgjengelighet@borealisfestival.no.
Hallen USF & Røkeriet, USF Verftet
Accessibility to the venue:
Hallen is part of USF Verftet, which has many entrances. When you arrive, you will be guided to the main entrance, at the bottom of the slope. Minimum width of door openings to access the event is around 1 meter.
Toilets:
USF Verftet has all gender toilet facilities. The building has accessible toilets on the 1st floor, with door opening of 100 cm.
Public transport:
Closest bus stop is Klosteret, 400 meters away, but the bus that goes there (bus 11) doesn’t go very frequently, and has hight differences. We therefore recommend that you rather take the busses that go to Olav Kyrres gate or Festplassen, around 1000 meters away by foot.
There’s also City bike parking close to the main entrance of USF Verftet.
Parking / Delivery:
There is an allotted HC parking lot available at USF Verftet. These are not necessary to reserve. You can also drop off people at the end of the hill which leads down to USF Verftet.
Service dogs:
Service dogs are welcome to USF Verftet.
Silent zone:
The arena is very big, and it’s possible to find a silent zone with reduced stimuli. Contact the USF or Borealis staff and we’ll help you.
Contact person:
For further questions about USF and Hallen’s accessibility, please contact epost@usf.no or tilgjengelighet@borealisfestival.no
Høgskulen på Vestlandet, Mimes Brønn
Accessibility to the venue:
Mimes Brønn is placed in Western Norway University of Applied Sciences or HVL, on ground level in building A. The entrance is step-free. See their website for a virtual tour of the arena.
Toilets:
Borealis makes sure to mark the toilets as gender neutral during the festival. Accessible toilets are available.
Public transport:
Kronstad light rail stop is close by the arena. There are bike parking and city bike parking right by.
Parking / Delivery:
There are 11 HC parking spots available, as well as some extra parking.
Service dogs:
Yes
Silent zone:
Yes. Also a room for nursing.
Hearing impaired facility:
Yes
Contact person:
For further questions about Mimes Brønn, please contact maiken.andreassen@hvl.no / +47 55 58 71 46 or tilgjengelighet@borealisfestival.no.
Håkonshallen
Accessibility to the venue:
Limited access, because of cobble stone paths towards the arena. There’s also stairs both to the wardrobe/reception and concert hall. There is no elevator.
If possible, please contact and let us know ahead of time if you are planning to use a wheelchair or bring a service dog, and we can help out.
Toilets:
Accessible toilets available.
Public transport:
Closest bus stop is Bradbenken, 100 meters away.
Parking / Delivery:
There is no parking here, but it’s possible to drop people off by the entrance.
Service dogs:
Yes
Silent zone:
No
Hearing impaired facility:
No
Contact person:
For further questions about Håkonshallen, please contact kjehop@bymuseet.no or tilgjengelighet@borealisfestival.no
Jiennagoáhti (Lyttegammen)
Accessibility to the venue:
Fløibanen (the mountain railway) is accessible both to strollers and wheelchair users, but Jiennagoáhti (Lyttegammen) is placed on Torrfjellet, which is a 10–15 minute walk from the end stop of Fløibanen. Accessing the site is mostly via paths, but involves walking over uneven ground for the last 200m, which is not suitable for wheelchairs or baby strollers.
Toilets:
At Fløyen there are accessible toilets, right by the end stop of Fløibanen.
Public transport:
Walking distance from most central bus stops is around a 10 minutes walk away. Read here for Fløibanen’s ticket prices.
Parking / Delivery:
In Rozenkranzgaten, not far from Fløibanen light rail entrance, there is a parking house. There is HC parking at Vetrlidsallmenningen.
Service dogs:
Yes (dogs travel for free with Fløibanen)
Silent zone:
There is no silent room, but with the open nature all around, it’s possible to step out to take a break.
Hearing impaired facility:
No
Contact person:
If you have further questions about Jiennagoàthi’s accessibility, you can contact info@floyen.no for questions, or tilgjengelighet@borealisfestival.no .
Nordnes Sjøbad
Accessibility to the venue:
Nordnes Sjøbad has a wheelchair lift. The easiest way to the arena with a wheelchair is by car, as Nordnes Sjøbad is placed in a steep hill. Call Nordnes Sjøbad on +47 46904965 during their opening hours if you want help with the elevator. There is no elevator into the pool.
Toilets:
There are no all gender wardrobes, but it is possible to use the stalls at Senilkaien as all gender wardrobes. These do not have showers. It’s possible to use the outdoor showers. There is an all gender toilet. The all gender toilets are also accessible toilets, and can double as an accessible wardrobe.
Public transport:
Closest bus stop is Nordnes skole, bus 11.
Parking / Delivery:
There is no parking by the arena, but it’s possible to park at the Aquarium in Bergen. It’s possible to drop people off by the wheelchair elevator.
Service dogs:
Nordnes sjøbad welcomes dogs, but restrict them to the grass area in the hill above the pool. It will be possible to sit or stand here and have a good view of the concert!
Silent zone:
No
Hearing impaired facility:
No
Contact person:
For further questions, please contact niklas@adoarena.no or tilgjengelighet@borealisfestival.no
Studio Bergen
Accessibility to the venue:
Studio Bergen has step-free access from street level. The minimum width of doors are 150 cm. Due to the amphi theater chairs in the venue, it is advised to give notice in advance if you are using a wheelchair, so that we can make room for you before you arrive.
Toilets:
Borealis is making sure that the toilets are marked as gender neutral during the festival. Studio Bergen has accessible toilet facilities placed in the same floor as the event, with door openings of 150 cm width.
Public transport:
The recommended accessible bus stops are Olav Kyrres gate and Festplassen, about 900 meters away by foot. There’s also a city bike stop 400 meters away.
Parking / Delivery:
There is designated HC parking available at Studio bergen, these have to be reserved. You can drop people off right outside the entrance of the building.
Service dogs:
Ja
Silent zone:
No
Hearing impaired facility:
No
Contact person:
For further questions, please contact info@ncb.no or tilgjengelighet@borealisfestival.no
Studio 207
Accessibility to the venue:
Access from street level.
Toilets:
Accessible toilets: Borealis has a deal with the restaurant Horn of Africa right across the street for use of HC toilets.
There are all gender toilets in Studio 207.
Public transport:
12 minute walk from Olav Kyrres gate / the city centre
Parking / Delivery:
Parking by Rema 1000 Tollboden, 100 meters away by foot, with parking fee. City bike parking outside Nykirken, about 300 meters away by foot.
Service dogs:
Yes
Silent zone:
No
Hearing impaired facility:
No
Contact person:
For further questions, please contact info@studio207.no or tilgjengelighet@borealisfestival.no
Østre
Accessibility to the venue:
Step-free entrance on the ground floor, through two possible entrances. The width of the main entrance is 120 cm and the second door is a bit wider. There is a ramp which can be used to get up to the sidewalk. Elevator with key to the second floor, contact staff for use.
Toilets:
All gender toilet facilities. Accessible toilet on ground floor.
Public transport:
Byparken light rail stop is 3 minutes walk away. Closest bus stops are Olav Kyrres gate, Festplassen, Småstrandgaten and Torget, with frequent busses.
Parking / Delivery:
There is no parking by the venue, but it’s possible to drop people off right in front of the building.
Service dogs:
Yes
Silent zone:
It’s possible to facilitate a quiet room, but it’s not sound proof if the music is very loud. The room is completely red.
Hearing impaired facility:
No
Contact person:
For further questions, please contact marthe@ekko.no or tilgjengelighet@borealisfestival.no
Åsane Kulturhus
Accessibility to the venue:
Step-free access. Doors have minimum width 120 cm.
Toilets:
Accessible toilets, all gender toilets and nursing room.
Public transport:
Åsane terminal is the closest bus stop, 6 minutes away by foot. Walk through Åsane Storsenter and to the left, and you will see Åsane Kultursenter. You can take bus 3 or 4 to Åsane Terminal. Bus 19 also goes to Hesthaugen, a 10 minutes walk away.
Parking / Delivery:
It’s possible to park at the shopping centres close by. 3 hours free parking before parking fees apply. Delivery by the entrance is possible.
Service dogs:
Yes
Silent zone:
Borealis has booked a room dedicated as a chill out space that is available during the Borealis events at Åsane Kulturhus. Ask any member of staff and they will show you to the room.
Hearing impaired facility:
Yes
Contact person:
For further questions, please contact sveinung.myrjord@bergen.kommune.no or tilgjengelighet@borealisfestival.no
Relaxed Performance
This year we trial our first Relaxed Performance with Øyvind Torvund – Plans for Future Operas.
Relaxed Performances are for anyone who would benefit from a more relaxed environment, and we focus on relaxing or adapting the concert environment while maintaining the creative integrity of the show.