Rena Song Fest 2026 (RSVP)

On Friday, 26th June, the World's Biggest Eurovision Songwriting Camp kicks off! Over a long weekend, from Friday, 26th June to Monday, 29th June, we will gather Norwegian and international songwriters and artists in Rena, Norway, to participate in Rena Song Fest 2026 - an extensive songwriting camp that becomes a small festival. The goal is to write new pop songs for the Eurovision Song Contest, build networks, and enhance participants' knowledge and skills. 

Rena Song Fest is organized by the Norwegian music companies The Woods, daWorks, BYRÅ and Song Farm, and we invite participants of all levels and with all skills, ranging from established professionals and semi-professionals to newcomers. Each day, new groups are announced at breakfast, consisting of 3-4 songwriters, including 1-2 producers (tracks) and 2-3 topliners (melody/lyrics). At least one songwriter in each group is an artist or vocalist. The musical focus of Rena Song Fest2026 will be the Eurovision Song Contest. New songs will be written for national selections for the Eurovision Song Contest. During the day, a new song and demo are created, and lyrics and split sheets are submitted each evening by 9:00 PM at the latest. The best songs are presented collectively at 10:00 PM in the main hall of Åmot Cultural Center. The next day, all participants rotate, allowing them to collaborate with new people in new groups.

During Rena Song Fest, we will have both established and makeshift studios. All studios are centrally located in Rena and are a short walking distance from each other.

We will open for official applications in January 2026, but anyone wishing to participate can sign up for our information email now. We will notify everyone when the application process opens. 

Those selected to participate in 2026 after the application process will be offered various accommodation options. The chosen accommodation determines the participant pass's cost, including lodging, meals, and camp participation. Participant pass prices will be announced in January 2026.

Rena is well-known as a music destination, thanks to the Bachelor's program in Music Business and Production at Høyskolen Innlandet, as well as the songwriting and production environment surrounding The Woods studio complex. Rena is just a few hours' drive north of Oslo and has easy access, whether by car, train, bus, or Oslo Gardermoen Airport (train station at the airport).

Schedule

Friday, 26th June

11:00 AM - 10:00 PM: Arrival, check-in, and accreditation.

10:00 PM - 10:45 PM: Camp opening, Storsalen Åmot Cultural Center

11:00 PM: End

Saturday, 27th June

Writing Day 1

7:30 AM - 9:30 AM: Breakfast

9:30 AM: Gathering at Åmot Cultural Center, Storsalen - Practical information and announcement of today's groups

10:00 AM: Writing in groups

1:00 PM: Lunch

6:00 PM: Dinner

9:00 PM: Deadline for submission of song demo, lyrics, and split sheet

10:00 PM: Listening session at Åmot Cultural Center, Storsalen

11:00 PM onwards: Gathering at Punktet Pub

Sunday, 28th June

Writing Day 2

7:30 AM - 9:30 AM: Breakfast

9:30 AM: Gathering at Åmot Cultural Center, Storsalen

Practical information and announcement of today's groups

10:00 AM: Writing in groups

1:00 PM: Lunch

6:00 PM: Dinner

9:00 PM: Deadline for submission of song demo, lyrics, and split sheet

10:00 PM: Listening session at Åmot Cultural Center, Storsalen

11:00 PM onwards: Closing party at Punktet Pub

Monday, 29th June 

Writing Day 3

7:30 AM - 9:30 AM: Breakfast

9:30 AM: Gathering at Åmot Cultural Center, Storsalen - Practical information and announcement of today's groups

10:00 AM: Writing in groups

1:00 PM: Lunch

5:00 PM: Deadline for submission of song demo, lyrics, and split sheet

6:00 PM: Camp conclusion and departure