Traditionally the people of Haugesund have mostly been fishermen. The second weekend of August each year the herring is celebrated in the jazz-festival sildajazz. (Sild is Norwegian for herring.)
Amanda Award
The Amanda Award, Norways most honored film award, has been held in Haugesund since 1985 in concurrence with the film festival.
Haugesund in August
August may be the best month for a visit to Haugesund. In addition to pleasant summer temperatures, the two major festivals, one for Jazz, one for Film, ensures that the town is pleasantly crowded at that time, including the Smedasund harbour area.