The Quart festival, held every year at the beginning of July, is back in 2009 after financial difficulties that saw it close in 2008. As Norway�s biggest music festival, Quart has taken place in Kristiansand every July since 1991. Originally named Qvadradur musivalen, its name was changed to the more catchy Quart Festival the following year. For several years Quart was the largest music festival in Norway, but has struggled in recent years in part due to tough competition from the Hove festivalen in Trom�ya, Arendal and some Oslo based festivals. The rock music event lasts for five days and has concerts on a big stage in Oder�ya, a peninsula south of the town centre, as well as on smaller stages around the town. Quart is known for attracting famous international artists to Kristiansand each year as in addition to finding new young talents, for whom performing in Quart meant a fast and steady track to fame. Many of today�s big stars previously appeared on Quart�s smaller stages. The line-up for the revitalized Quart Festival 2009 includes world-famous stars, such as Ozzy Osbourne, Fergie, The Black Eyed Peas, Marilyn Manson and Placebo.
Kristiansand is a home to many other festivals as well. A noteworthy example is the Protestfestival. It was launched in 2000 and takes place every September. Protestfestival aims to address apathy and indifference in politics, and is often referred to as "the small festival that asks the big questions". Debates, concerts and lectures are held at the festival combined with performance art and documentaries. Protest festival claims to attract anarchists, communists, hippies as well as conservative Christians and capitalists and encourage communication among these radically different groups.
Festivals run throughout the year in Kristiansand. Some of these include the Bragd�ya Blues Festival in June, the Dark Season Festival in October, Cultural Night and the International Children Film Festival in April. Kristiansand has
