Arctic Pilot Events 2025
The program for 2026 will be announced later. In the meantime, take a look at last year's program to get an idea of what the Arctic Pilot is.
Arctic Elements
Thursday, Nov 13, 2025
1500: Welcome to Tromsø. Registration (until 1700). Introduction to the Arctic Pride and the Pilot. Gathering at The Art Museum of Northern Norway (Nordnorsk Kunstmuseum), who also offers us a guided tour.
https://nnkm.no/en/
1800: Bus departure with line no. 20 from Fredrik Langes Gate street, bus stop F1. We will go to Tromsøbadet water park for an evening of swimming, relaxing saunas and frolicking in the adventure pools. If we are lucky, we’ll see the Northern Lights from the outdoor Jacuzzi balcony. Café selling light meals and snacks open until 2000. Water park closes at 2100. Please bring swimwear and a woolen hat, plus a spare towel if you’d like to use the sauna. https://www.tromsobadet.no/english
· Entry to the water park is included in the Reindeer ticket and the Polar Bear pass.
2115: Bus departure back to city centre, line 20 from Templarheimen bus stop.
2130: Polar Bear Beer - Drinks and Arctic furry animals at good old Ølhallen pub. https://www.mack.no/en/olhallen
Run, puppy, run!
Friday, Nov 14, 2025
1030: Group photo at the stairs of Tromsø City Hall.
1100: Tromsø City Hall. Tromsø City presents to us the plans for LGBT+ issues and general politics considering sexual orientation and sexual health in Norway. This presentation is open to everyone as a part of the Arctic Pride. Ending approx. 1230. Full leather outfit. Titleholders wear sashes.
1345: Gather at Radisson Blu hotel for…
1400: Bus departure to Tromsø Wilderness Centre for some husky cuddling and, if there is snow; dog sledge rides (rides come at an extra cost). Hot lunch, coffee and cake included. Rough outfit, we might play in the snow! Don’t forget hats and gloves/mittens. Warm overalls and boots can be borrowed at the wilderness centre.
https://villmarkssenter.no/
· Bus ride, cuddles and lunch are included in the Reindeer ticket
and the Polar Bear pass.
1615: Return – arrival Tromsø centre at 1645.
Light & Darkness
Friday, Nov 14, 2025
1900: PRIDE Rainbow Mass in Tromsø Lutheran Cathedral. Leathermen of all genders particularly welcome. This is a highlight of the Arctic Pilot program and highly recommended! Service performed in Norwegian, but with many hymns and songs in English.
Full leather outfit. Titleholders wear sashes.
https://www.kirken.tromso.no/Menighetene/Domkirken-menighet
From 2100: Frozen Frontier Fetish Fest by SLM Oslo, at Bryggeriet. Prize-winning DJ K-Paxian spins the music, and you simply can't stay off the dancefloor! This event is part of the official Arctic Pride program. Doors open at 2100, party ends at 0200. Age 20+. Dresscode as per SLM rules (masculine fetish wear): https://slmoslo.no/en/about-us/dress-code/ Ladies or non-binary people who would like to attend and don't wish to follow the SLM dresscode should wear something smart and sexy.
Club outfit - be that your full leathers or just a jockstrap. Titleholders wear sashes at own discretion.
Bryggeriet, Storgata 6. Entrance from Storgata street.
· Pilots enter with either Arctic Fox ticket or Polar Bear pass.
Don't forget to look for the Aurora whenever
you are outdoors after dark!
Fly your flag, grind your gear!
Saturday, Nov 15, 2025
1130: Pre-parade workshop. Prepare your flags and buff up that shiny leather! Tvibit youth culture centre, Parkgata 27/29. Café with light snacks. http://tvibit.net/
1300: Walk from Tvibit to the parade assembly spot.
1330: Parade line-up, Hålogaland Theatre, Teaterplassen 1. https://halogalandteater.no/kontaktinformasjon
1400: Tromsø Arctic Pride PARADE, starting from Hålogaland Theatre. Cool if you can carry the flag of your nation, fetish or club! Full leather outfit (with wool undies). Titleholders wear sashes.
1530: We sometimes have a thing for cakes after the parade. Might happen again this year!
1800: Formal Leather dinner at Full Steam restaurant, right at the seafront in Tromsø inner harbour. Local and traditional ingredients make up the basis for our feast tonight. Formal leather outfit – or your best gear. Titleholders wear sashes.
https://fullsteam.no/en/tromso-en/
· This dinner is included in the Walrus ticket
and the Polar Bear Pass.
From 2100: Arctic Pride Night. The main party for Arctic Pride would not be complete without us, or what? Venue: Bryggeriet, Storgata 6 (former DRIV student house) Pilots enter with a separate ticket.
Party leather outfit (G-rated). Sashes optional.
https://www.facebook.com/p/Bryggeriet-Scene-61573974516652/
· This party is included in the Arctic Fox ticket and the Polar Bear
pass. Beware that you need a separate paper ticket,
which you’ll receive in your welcome pack.
0300: Party ends
Don't forget to look for the Aurora whenever
you are outdoors after dark!
Oceans await!
Sunday, Nov 16, 2025
1100: Anyone awake yet? No?
1200: Brandade Brunch at Helmersen café, Storgata 66. This cosy delicatessen shop and café will serve us a lovely hot lunch based on local stockfish – or a vegetable quiche if you prefer. Coffee and tea included. https://www.helmersendelikatesser.no/
· This brunch is included in the Walrus ticket and
the Polar Bear Pass.
1400: Guided tour of the MS Polstjerna, an old sealing vessel from the heyday of Arctic seal hunting, and the exhibition SNOWHOW. Explore the ship, from bridge to galley, from crew quarters in the ruff to the captain’s cabin. Learn about the traditional Arctic hunt that was vital to Tromsø’s economy in the past, and how the knowledge from indigenous peoples proved crucial in polar exploration. Per Helge will be our guide as this tour is exclusively for us Arctic Pilots. Great photo opportunities! Ending at 1600.
The venue is not heated (for conservation reasons) so make sure you wear your thermals today as well. Beware that there are several steep stairs and ladders - this tour is unfortunately not suitable for wheelchair users.
https://en.uit.no/tmu/polstjerna
· This visit is included in the Reindeer ticket and
the Polar Bear pass.
1800: Farewell cocktails at Bastard Bar. https://bastardbar.no/
2000: Add-on option: Pizza dinner at Casa Inferno (as per tradition). Food is not included in the Arctic Pilot tickets, but Per Helge will reserve a table for those who’d like to end the Pilot with a common meal. Let him know in advance when he asks.
Safe journey home – cherish the memories,
and welcome back to Tromsø, seventh pilots!
