Spending the holidays in Norway?

Here’s everything you need to know!

Are you planning a Christmas holiday in Norway? Great choice! Here's all you need to know for an unforgettable adventure.

1. I’m dreaming of a white Christmas. Where can I find snow?

The central parts of the country are always more snowsure than the coast, but Oslo and its surrounding areas often have snow at Christmas. The same applies to Northern Norway.

The southern regions and Fjord Norway are more of a gamble – so you’ll probably have to head inland to have a good shot at snow.

If you’d like a thorough overview of snow at specific locations, visit the weather site Yr.no. For snow reports that focus more on skiing, Fnugg has got you covered. How best to enjoy the snow? Go skiing, of course!

Check out these other winter activities:

2. Could you point me toward the nearest Christmas market?

Just pick a direction. Norway is so full of wonderful Christmas markets that you could probably survive most of December on a diet of nothing but gingerbread cookies and mulled wine.

If you’re having trouble choosing, take a look at our guide to the best Christmas markets in Norway.

At these fairs, you’ll find everything from handicrafts and culinary delicacies to gingerbread towns, Ferris wheels, and puppet shows. Be aware that most fairs end before Christmas Eve, so make sure to plan your visit accordingly.

Norway’s best Christmas markets

3. Where can I buy last-minute gifts?

Don’t worry – Norway is pretty tolerant when it comes to breathless last-minute Christmas shopping. Many grocery stores, shops, and shopping centres are open on Sundays in December.

According to the law, stores can be open on the last three Sundays before Christmas Eve between 2 pm and 8 pm. This gives you a good opportunity to shop for presents.

Stores must close no later than 4 pm on Christmas Eve, and must stay closed on the first and second days of Christmas. On Christmas Eve, it’s important to remember that many shops close earlier than 4 pm.

The best Christmas gift ideas

4. What is the best place to celebrate?

Whether you're longing for a quiet holiday in the mountains or some Christmas spirit in the city, Norway has the perfect destination for you. Check out all the magical options below:

5. How long has Norway celebrated Christmas?

Christmas traditions in Norway are derived from various cultures. Throughout history, this holiday has ranged from honouring the god Saturn to celebrating the winter solstice.

The Christian version of the holiday was introduced to Norway around the year 1,000. The Norse sacrificial feast jólablót (jól = jul, the Norwegian name for Christmas) happened to coincide with the birth of Jesus on the 25th of December, a date that had already been moved to better match Roman holidays.

Our current Christmas traditions, with customs like Santa Claus and dancing around the Christmas tree, were first introduced in the 1800s.

Christmas

6. Are the restaurants open?

Although Christmas is a time of rest and relaxation for a lot of chefs and waitstaff, there are still plenty of places that welcome diners, especially in the cities.

As for ordering traditional Norwegian Christmas food, you can’t go wrong with “ribbe” (pork ribs) or “pinnekjøtt”, which is cured lamb steamed over sticks (pinner). Here are nine Norwegian Christmas dishes that you simply must try for a true taste of Jul!

The taste of Christmas

7. What can I get up to this Christmas?

Even though Norway slows down quite a bit during the holidays, the nights are not completely silent. Whether you’re in the mood for a Christmas party or a Christmas mass, you can find a large selection of activities by browsing our event calendar.

If you’d rather relax and see a film, many cinemas are open during the holidays, but not on Christmas Eve. The films are not dubbed, except for some screenings of animated movies, but those are usually marked norsk tale.