Christmas the Norwegian way
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Discover more Norwegian holiday traditions and treats.
Dreamy December
It's the most wonderful time of the year ...
… and the countdown to Christmas has begun!
Have you ever experienced …
1. Norwegian Christmas
Christmas workshops, traditional Christmas dishes like pinnekjøtt and ribbe, Christmas markets and sleigh rides in a winter wonderland!
2. Christmas towns
Get in a festive mood by strolling through cosy, picturesque streets, and experience the cosy atmosphere of Christmas markets. Sip cocoa at a local café and stay at a hotel adorned in Christmas decorations.
3. A gift to remember
“What should I buy for a present this year?” – the eternal question …
Rudolph might have the answer! How about gifting an experience? It may just be the most memorable present you've ever given.
Reindeer sledding, a kayak trip or a weekend getaway?
4. Get nostalgic
Jump back in time and see how Christmas was celebrated in bygone times.
Numerous folk museums across the country organise Christmas markets in December. Some of the most popular are at the Maihaugen Museum in Lillehammer and Norsk Folkemuseum in Oslo.
5. Røros – the ultimate Christmas town
Dreaming of a white Christmas? Then your safest bet is to head to the historic mining town of Røros!
Enjoy the small town's charming, narrow alleys, local handicrafts, and sleigh ride tours. Make sure to book early, because you will not be the only one who wants to stay in this picturesque place in December.
6. Santa's post office
Did you ever wonder where your letters to Santa ended up? This is the place, and he is still receiving them!
Santa's house is located in Drøbak, just 30 minutes from Oslo, with lots of quaint shops and bakeries worth exploring.
Visit the cosy centre of Drøbak and get to know the Norwegian Santa
7. Bergen's gingerbread city
Each year, nurseries, schools, businesses and hundreds of locals collaborate to create the world's largest gingerbread city.
The exhibition, open from the end of November and all through Christmas, is located in the central square of Bergen. Go check it out – and be amazed!
8. Sleep in a gingerbread house
If you really love gingerbread, here's some excellent news: A gingerbread house you can stay in!
The house, known as Nissehuset (Santa's house) is located in the small village of Savalen, where there are plenty of fun holiday activities on the weekends. Santas from around the world also gather here to compete in the annual Santa Claus Winter Games. Don't miss it!
9. Ice hotels
Speaking of cool places to stay …
How about sleeping like a fairytale princess or prince?
10. Binge watching
Want to get away from it all?
Sometimes, the hotel itself is the destination, especially when the views are like this!
How about combining it with binge watching your favourite Christmas movies?
Book a unique place to stay
11. The start of skiing season!
1-2-3 ski! If you love alpine activities, the wait is over!
Many ski resorts open some of their slopes this time of the year. This may of course vary due to local snow conditions, so make sure to check opening hours at the destination before you go.
12. Happy New Year!
Wondering where to celebrate New Year's Eve?
Whether you are looking for a quiet stay in nature or an urban getaway where you can watch the fireworks at midnight, Norway has it all!
A new year awaits!
Get ready for January!
Learn about the climate and discover more amazing winter experiences in Norway.
The Norwegian calendar
Find the best experiences in Norway, throughout the year!
Winter and northern lights
4+ Days ・ September - MarchBook nowShort winter cruise
Tromsø and a Hurtigruten CruiseThis tour includes a cruise with Hurtigruten. Choose from a wide selection of winter activities including dog sledding and northern lights excursions. / Authentic ScandinaviaPrice From 7 095 NOK
6+ Days ・ September - MarchBook nowNorthern lights cruise
Tromsø, the North Cape and KirkenesTour including a return cruise from Tromsø to Kirkenes with Hurtigruten. Visit the North Cape and try winter activities including dog sledding and snowmobiling. / Authentic ScandinaviaPrice From 14 200 NOK
4 Hours ・ September - MarchBook nowAurora dinner cruise
Boat tour in TromsøJoin a northern lights cruise and enjoy delicious arctic tapas from our partner in Tromsø, while hunting for the northern lights! / Brim ExplorerPrice From 1 890 NOK
5 Days ・ December - MarchBook nowMagical northern lights
Dog sledding and reindeer sledding in AltaStay in Alta at an Arctic wilderness resort, a forest chalet and an igloo-style dome. Enjoy dog sledding, snowmobiling, and ice-fishing. / Up NorwayPrice From 40 800 NOK
4+ Days ・ November - MarchBook nowTromsø winter break
Tromsø, northern lights, dog sleddingWinter break to Tromsø, including dog sledding and a northern lights chase by minibus. Additional winter activities can be added. / Authentic ScandinaviaPrice From 9 060 NOK
4+ Days ・ September - MarchBook nowTromsø wildlife & northern lights
City break with a wildlife cruiseTake a break to Tromsø with a cruise and hunt for the northern lights. With one free day, you can add winter activities like dog sledding, a reindeer safari, and more. / Authentic ScandinaviaPrice From 7 690 NOK
6 Days ・ September - OctoberBook nowAutumn auroras on the coast
Tromsø and SommarøyThis tour includes a guided day tour of Tromsø, sea kayaking, and a sea eagle safari. Stay in a small fishing village and learn how to capture the northern lights on camera. / 50 Degrees North NordicPrice From 16 275 NOK
4 Days ・ November - MarchBook nowLofoten & northern lights
Lofoten archipelago experienceTrip with an aurora-chase guided tour, RIB boat tour, and accommodation in a traditional fisherman's cabin. / 50 Degrees North NordicPrice From 9 498 NOK
6+ Days ・ September - MarchBook nowFjords & northern lights
Oslo, Bergen, Flåm and TromsøWinter adventure. See the fjords and the Arctic city of Tromsø. Winter activities like dog sledding, a northern lights safari, and much more can be added. / Authentic ScandinaviaPrice From 9 500 NOK
3 Hours ・ September - MarchBook nowNorthern lights dinner cruise
Boat sightseeing in TromsøExplore the Tromsø fjords on a hybrid-electric boat with panoramic windows, while savouring a delicious dinner and keeping an eye out for the magical northern lights. / Go FjordsPrice From 1 590 NOK
5 Days ・ November - MarchBook nowNorthern lights safari
Round trip from Oslo to TromsøJoin a northern lights round trip. Fly from Oslo to Tromsø and experience all the highlights of the region, including several opportunities to chase the northern lights. / Fjord Travel NorwayPrice From 27 995 NOK
6 Days ・ November - MarchBook nowNorthern lights & Tromsø
Ice hotel and reindeer sleigh rideRound trip from Oslo. Stay at an ice hotel, go on a king crab safari, take a reindeer sleigh ride, and enjoy an Arctic gourmet dinner. / Fjord Travel NorwayPrice From 31 595 NOK
6 Days ・ October - MarchBook nowNorthern lights cruise trip
Cruise and train adventureRound trip from Oslo including a scenic train ride to Trondheim, two nights onboard a cruise ship, a visit to Bodø, Tromsø, and a Viking feast on the Lofoten Islands. / Fjord Travel NorwayPrice From 24 350 NOK
8 Days ・ November - MarchBook nowWinter cruise & northern lights
Trip from Kirkenes to BergenFly from Oslo to Kirkenes and stay overnight at a snow hotel, then go wilderness dog sledding before taking a 5-night cruise to Bergen. Visit Trondheim's Nidaros Cathedral and Lofoten along the way. / Fjord Travel NorwayPrice From 34 510 NOK
7 Hours ・ October - MarchBook nowAurora safari camp in Tromsø
Northern lights at a private campYour guide will choose the camp location with the highest chance of seeing the northern lights. All camps have shelters, toilets, campfires, and benches outside. / Fjord ToursPrice From 1 490 NOK
December - FebruaryBook nowUnique northern lights stays
The best northern lights accommodationCombine a northern lights experience with comfort and luxury. These once-in-a-lifetime stays are in prime locations for optimal aurora borealis viewing. / CampanyonPrice From 3 000 NOK
24 Hours ・ December - MarchBook nowLavvo and northern lights
Winter experience outside of TromsøSpend a night in a private crystal Lavvo in the Lyngen Alps. Learn how to photograph the aurora and try snowshoeing. Return transfers, lunch, dinner, and breakfast are also included. / Booknordics.comPrice From 3 390 NOK
4 Days ・ October - MarchBook nowHoliday package in Tromsø
Trip in Tromsø and the Lyngen AlpsEnjoy two nights in central Tromsø , including a northern lights tour. Stay in a Crystal Lavvo in the Lyngen Alps, with a view of the auroras. Local transfers, activities and meals included. / Booknordics.comPrice From 11 220 NOK
17 Hours ・ November - MarchBook nowSami experience from Tromsø
Overnight reindeer sledding tour with lavvo stayTry reindeer sledding, spend the night in a traditional Sami tent, feed reindeer, and enjoy Arctic landscapes. With some luck, the northern lights might appear! / Booknordics.comPrice From 3 995 NOK
5 Days ・ November - MarchBook nowArctic escape in Alta
Northern lights, snow hotel, and dog sleddingExperience Oslo city highlights before travelling to the Arctic tundra. Choose between winter activities like dog and reindeer sledding, snowmobile riding, fatbiking, photography and more. / Fjord Travel NorwayPrice From 21 500 NOK
7 Days ・ December - AprilBook nowFjords, cities and the Arctic
The Flåm railway, fjord cruise and snow hotelTravel between Oslo, Kirkenes, Flåm, and Bergen. Experience the Oslo Opera House, northern lights, Nærøyfjord, Aurlandsfjord, UNESCO-listed Bryggen, and more. / Fjord Travel NorwayPrice From 29 500 NOK
6 Days ・ September - MarchBook nowNorthern lights in Tromsø
6 days in Arctic Norway with activitiesSpend three nights in Tromsø, and join three unique excursions: An Aurora safari by coach to a base station, an evening trip by reindeer or husky sledding, and a northern lights evening cruise safari. / My Nordic TravelFrom 25 000 NOK