The official Nobel Prize lectures are a central part of the Nobel Prize heritage, delivered by each laureate on a topic related to the work for which they have been awarded. These lectures take place during the Nobel Week, either just before or up to six months after the award ceremony, and are regarded as significant contributions to scientific, literary, and humanitarian discourse worldwide.

The Nobel Foundation statutes require these lectures as a condition for receiving the prize. They are usually held in Stockholm for all prizes except the Peace Prize, which is presented in Oslo, around the official award ceremony on December 10.

Lectures range from technical scientific presentations to philosophical and literary reflections, depending on the field. All lectures are made publicly available, often through official live webcasts, archived videos, and transcripts on the official Nobel Prize website and YouTube channel. NobelPrize.org provides dedicated sections with video, text, and historical records for lectures across all categories.

Recent Literature laureates who have delivered Nobel lectures include Han Kang (2024), Jon Fosse (2023), Annie Ernaux (2022), and Abdulrazak Gurnah (2021), with each sharing their personal and creative perspectives on their awarded work.

In recent physics lectures, neural networks have been discussed; in chemistry lectures, protein structures and AI in drug discovery have been covered. In economic sciences lectures, global prosperity and the impact of institutions have been addressed. The Nobel Peace Prize lectures, delivered in Oslo, often discuss global peace challenges and personal reflections on humanitarian efforts.

Moreover, Stockholm University and the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences host annual lecture sessions in person and online across the fields of physics, chemistry, and economic sciences.

The official Nobel Prize lectures offer profound insights into the awarded work, and are an important cultural and educational feature of the Nobel tradition. The lectures serve as educational resources and are admired for inspiring innovation, creative thinking, and a deeper understanding of the laureates’ achievements. The lectures help connect the Nobel legacy with a global audience, schools, and lifelong learners everywhere.

Nobel Prize lectures key dates

Stockholm Nobel Prize lectures in Physiology or Medicine, Physics, Chemistry, Literature and Economic Sciences  December 5–9, lectures are held at venues including Stockholm University, Karolinska Institutet, and the Nobel Prize Museum. Details are published closer to the event on NobelPrize.org and institutional websites.

Nobel Peace Prize lecture in Oslo  December 10, the same day as the Nobel Peace Prize award ceremony. The Peace Prize laureate delivers the formal lecture to an international audience in Oslo City Hall.

Nobel Week Lights and public activities  December 6–14, activities and celebrations are held across Stockholm, running parallel to lectures and the award ceremony.

Lectures are streamed online via NobelPrize.org and the Nobel Prize YouTube channel for global access.

The Nobel Prize Museum lists all public Nobel Week events, including lectures, workshops, and talks.