The following is a list of notable events and releases of the year 1988 in Norwegian music.

• 25 – The 15th Vossajazz started in Voss, Norway (March 25 – 27).^[1]

• 25 – The 16th Nattjazz started in Bergen, Norway (May 25 – June 8).^[2]

• 25 – The 19th Kalvøyafestivalen started at Kalvøya near by Oslo (June 25 – 26).^[3]
• 26 – Leonard Cohen performed a concert at Kalvøya, Bærum (Kalvøyafestivalen).^[4]

G

Jan Garbarek

• Legend Of The Seven Dreams (ECM Records)^[5]

S

Thorgeir Stubø

• The End Of A Tune (Cadence Jazz Records), with Art Farmer and Doug Raney^[6]

January

• 9 – Peter L. Rypdal, fiddler and famous traditional folk music composer (born 1909).^[7]

July

• 1 – Robert Riefling, classical pianist and music teacher (born 1911).^[8]

February

• 5 – Fredrik Luhr Dietrichson, jazz upright bassist.
• 15 – Ragnhild Hemsing, classical and traditional folk violinist.
• 26 – Christian Meaas Svendsen, jazz upright bassist and composer.

April

• 12 – Tone Damli Aaberge, singer.

May

• 7 – David Aleksander Sjølie, jazz guitarist, Mopti.
• 9 – Fredrik Rasten, guitarist, improviser, and composer.

July

• 31 – Andreas Wildhagen, jazz drummer.

August

• 12 – Chriss Rune Olsen Angvik, rhythm & blues guitarist and vocalist.
• 17 - Natalie Sandtorv, jazz singer, percussionist, and electronica artist.

Unknown date

• Jan Martin Gismervik, jazz drummer.

• 1988 in Norway
• Music of Norway
• Norway in the Eurovision Song Contest 1988