The Eurovision Song Contest 1996 was the 41st edition of the Eurovision Song Contest, held on 18 May 1996 at the Oslo Spektrum in Oslo, Norway. Organised by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and host broadcaster Norsk rikskringkasting (NRK) and presented by Ingvild Bryn and Morten Harket, the contest was held in Norway following the country's victory at the 1995 contest with the song "Nocturne" by Secret Garden.
The United Kingdom selected their entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 1996 in Oslo, Norway with a new show, The Great British Song Contest. The winning entry was Gina G with "Ooh Aah... Just a Little Bit".
The Eurovision Song Contest 1996 was the third time that Estonia entered the Eurovision Song Contest, and was their first participation since their second-to-last place in the 1994 final. The entrant was again selected by a panel of expert judges, with thirteen entrants into the preselection final. The preselection would end up tied on points, with Maarja-Liis Ilus and Ivo Linna's duet "Kaelakee hääl" winning on the basis of being awarded more maximum points than the runner-up Kadri Hunt. In the final, Ilus and Linna finished 5th.
Sweden was represented by One More Time with the song "Den vilda" in the Eurovision Song Contest 1996.
Eimear Quinn represented Ireland in the 1996 Eurovision Song Contest with the song "The Voice".
For the first time since 1992, a national final was held in Germany to select their entry for the Eurovision Song Contest. At the contest, represented by Leon with "Planet of Blue", Germany failed to progress from the pre-qualification round, leading to the first, and so far only time that Germany failed to participate at Eurovision.
Belgium was represented by Lisa del Bo with the song "Liefde is een kaartspel" at the 1996 Eurovision Song Contest.
The Netherlands was represented by duo Maxine and Franklin Brown, with the song "De eerste keer", at the 1996 Eurovision Song Contest, which took place in Oslo on 18 May.
Denmark chose Dorthe Andersen and Martin Loft, with the song "Kun med dig", to be their representatives at the 1996 Eurovision Song Contest, to be held on 18 May in Oslo. "Kun med dig" was chosen as the Danish entry at the Dansk Melodi Grand Prix on 9 March. However, Denmark was one of seven countries which failed to qualify for the Eurovision final from a pre-qualifying round, so they were not represented in Oslo.
Norway was represented by 15-year-old Hanne Krogh, with the song "Lykken er", at the 1971 Eurovision Song Contest, which took place on 3 April in Dublin. "Lykken er" was chosen as the Norwegian entry at the Melodi Grand Prix on 20 February.
Hungary chose Gjon Delhusa, with the song "Fortuna", to be their representative at the 1996 Eurovision Song Contest. However, Hungary was one of seven countries which failed to qualify for the Eurovision final from a pre-qualifying round, so they were not represented in Oslo.
Finland participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 1996 with the song "Niin kaunis on taivas" written by Timo Niemi. The song was performed by the singer Jasmine. The Finnish broadcaster Yleisradio (Yle) returned to the Eurovision Song Contest after a one-year absence following their relegation from 1995 as one of the bottom nine countries in the 1994 contest. Yle organised the national final Euroviisut 1996 - Euroviisut ja Emma in order to select the Finnish entry for the 1996 contest in Oslo, Norway. Ten entries selected to compete in the national final were presented on 3 February 1996 and votes from the public selected "Niin kaunis on taivas" performed by Jasmine as the winner with 67,907 votes, which was announced during a televised programme on 5 February 1996.
Croatia selected its entry for the 1996 Eurovision Song Contest through the "Dora 1996" contest, which was held on 3 March 1996, organised by the Croatian national broadcaster Hrvatska radiotelevizija (HRT) in Opatija. The winner was Maja Blagdan with "Sveta ljubav".
Macedonia attempted to enter the Eurovision Song Contest 1996, the first time the country tried to enter the Eurovision Song Contest. Macedonia selected Kaliopi to represent them in Norway, after winning the national final selection with the song "Samo ti". However, Macedonia was one of seven countries which failed to qualify for the Eurovision final from a pre-qualifying round, so they were not present in Oslo.
Israel attempted to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 1996 in Oslo. Galit Bell represented Israel with the song "Shalom Olam". However, Israel was one of seven countries which failed to qualify for the Eurovision final from a pre-qualifying round, so they were not present in Norway.
Russia attempted to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 1996 in Oslo, Norway. The Russian entry was selected through a national final, organised by the Russian broadcaster Rossiya Channel (RTR). Andrey Kosinsky was chosen to represent Russia with the song "Ya eto ya". However, Russia was one of seven countries which failed to qualify for the Eurovision final from a pre-qualifying round, so they were not present in Norway.
Bosnia and Herzegovina participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 1996 in Oslo, Norway. Amila Glamočak represented Bosnia and Herzegovina with the song "Za našu ljubav". They finished on 22nd place out of 23 countries with 13 points. It was the worst result for Bosnia and Herzegovina until 2016.
Portugal was represented for the second time by Carlos Mendes, with the song "A festa da vida", at the 1972 Eurovision Song Contest, which took place on 25 March in Edinburgh. "A festa da vida" was chosen as the Portuguese entry at the Grande Prémio TV da Canção Portuguesa on 22 February.
Portugal was represented by Tonicha, with the song "Menina do alto da serra", at the 1971 Eurovision Song Contest, which took place on 3 April in Dublin. "Menina do alto da serra" was chosen as the Portuguese entry at the Grande Prémio TV da Canção Portuguesa on 11 February.
Constantinos represented Cyprus in the Eurovision Song Contest 1996 with the song "Mono gia mas". It finished 9th with 72 points.
Norway 
