The Gathering

The Gathering is an annual five-day computer party held during Easter at Vikingskipet Olympic Arena in Hamar, Norway. Drawing over 5,000 participants each year, it brings together gamers, coders, digital artists, and tech enthusiasts for competitions, concerts, and creative collaboration.

• Held every Easter at Vikingskipet in Hamar, Norway
• Over 5,000 attendees set up computers for five days
• Features gaming, demo coding, music, and art competitions
• Run by 500+ volunteers from the KANDU organization
• Tickets often sell out quickly each year

What it is

The Gathering is one of the world’s largest and longest-running LAN parties, taking place every Easter in Hamar, Norway. For five days, thousands of participants set up their computers in the vast Vikingskipet arena, immersing themselves in gaming, coding, digital art, and creative competitions. The event is a vibrant meeting point for young people passionate about technology, offering a unique blend of social connection and digital creativity. Whether you’re a gamer, a demoscene enthusiast, or a digital artist, The Gathering is a place to share ideas, compete, and celebrate the culture of computers.

Where it comes from

The Gathering began in 1992, founded by members of Norwegian demogroups Deadline and Crusaders, who wanted to create a major demoparty in Norway. Early editions were held in various venues around Oslo, quickly outgrowing their spaces as attendance soared. In 1996, the event moved to Vikingskipet in Hamar, a large arena built for the 1994 Winter Olympics, which has hosted The Gathering ever since. Over the years, the festival has evolved from a demoscene-focused event to a broader celebration of gaming and digital culture, while still maintaining its creative roots.

How it is celebrated

Participants at The Gathering bring their own computers and set up for five days of non-stop activity. The arena buzzes with gaming tournaments (with Counter-Strike being especially popular), demo coding, music and graphics competitions, and hardware modification challenges. There are also live concerts, mini-events, and informal gatherings—like impromptu soda can tower contests or private mini-raves. Many attendees sleep on the arena stands or even at their desks, as the event runs around the clock. Volunteers, known as the crew, keep everything running smoothly, and the atmosphere is one of camaraderie, creativity, and shared passion for digital culture.

Joining in

If you want to experience The Gathering, head to Hamar’s Vikingskipet arena during Easter week. Tickets often sell out quickly, so plan ahead. As a visitor, expect a lively, welcoming environment where you can join in gaming, watch competitions, or simply soak up the energy of thousands of tech enthusiasts. Bring your own computer if you want to participate fully, and be ready for late nights, new friendships, and a unique insight into Norway’s digital youth culture.

Sources and attribution

This page is Mela's own summary, written in new words. Its facts are drawn from the Wikipedia article The Gathering (LAN party), whose text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Each photo is credited to its author beside it. For the full account, read the originals below.

Read more

• The Gathering (LAN party) on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Official websiteOfficial site
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data

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