It is only the third Norwegian city to receive this honour after Bergen in 2000 and Stavanger in 2008. The organizers have planned over 1,000 cultural events throughout Bodø and the Nordland region for 2024. The program focuses heavily on Arctic culture, including indigenous Sámi heritage, and the relationship between the land, sea and people of northern Norway. Major events include the opening ceremony on a floating harbour stage, a sustainable concert setting environmental standards, and a light festival inspired by dark sky tourism.
There is a strong emphasis on Sámi culture through a trilogy of theatre productions, transforming the city museum into a Sámi museum, and other programming. The goal is to attract 500,000 visitors and promote Arctic cuisine, landscapes and the region's history. Events will be spread throughout the year to align with the midnight sun in summer and polar nights in winter. The cultural connections to Venice through the 15th-century merchant Pietro Querini will also be highlighted. In total, the extensive program aims to make Bodø 2024 the "world's longest party" spanning the vast Nordland county over the full year.
