Soak up the atmosphere at one of Norway's many Christmas markets and fairs and find tastes and gifts you won't get anywhere else.
Christmas markets 2023
Winter Wonderland in Spikersuppa, Oslo
11 November - 31 December
Trondheim
3-20 December
Bergen
1-22 December
Norsk Folkemuseum, Oslo
2-3 December and 9-10 December
Julegada, Vennesla
8 - 17 December
Pre-Christmas adventure in Henningsvær
3 November - 23 December
Fredrikstad's main square
2-17 December (weekends only)
The old town, Fredrikstad
25 November - 17 December (weekends only)
Hadeland Glassverk, Jevnaker
30 October - 19 December (weekends only)
"Jul i Viken", Lillestrøm and Norges Varemesse
5-10 December
Kristiansand
25 November - 22 December
Bærums Verk
25 November - 21 December
Røros
7-10 December
Lillehammer
Maihaugen: 2-3 December
City centre: 9-10 December and 16-17 December
Egersund
7-10 December and 14-17 December
"Vinterland in Sandnes", Sandnes
25 November - 17 December
Christmas is approaching at the speed of stampeding reindeer hooves across a brilliant night sky. This means that the traditional Norwegian Christmas fairs are returning for another season of unique Christmas gifts, exciting artisan foods, and cosily lit winter streets.
Find the best places to go to celebrate Christmas in Norway.
In the weeks leading up to Christmas Eve, plenty of fairs pop up all around the country. Here’s a selection of eleven wonderful Christmas markets that will surely get you into the Christmas spirit.
Winter Wonderland in Spikersuppa, Oslo
11 November - 31 December
Spikersuppa, one of the capital’s Christmas fairs, lasts for well over a month. It takes place by the Spikersuppa skating rink on Oslo's main high street, Karl Johans gate, a mere stone’s throw from the Royal Palace. This year, the market will once again be held as normal, with all hands on deck to deliver a magical Christmas in Oslo.
The market features delightful food stalls, a romantic ice skating rink, and brand new family attractions including a new Ferris wheel!
Christmas market in Bergen
1-22 December
With its unique traditions and world-famous cultural stage, you'll find it fun and high-spirited to celebrate Christmas in Bergen!
The Christmas market is placed in the heart of the city, at Festplassen. It features the traditional Ferris wheel and horse carousel. There will be a large Christmas tree and a unique holiday atmosphere. The popular stalls from previous seasons will also be awaiting your visit.
Christmas market in Lillehammer
2-3 December and 9-10 December
If you’re dreaming of a snow-covered winter wonderland, Lillehammer is a safe bet. The quaint city by Lake Mjøsa is located about an hour and a half from Oslo Airport by train.
Discover how Christmas was celebrated in the Middle Ages, at the Maihaugen open-air museum – which hosts a festive Christmas market on the first weekend of Advent.
A visit to see the arts and crafts at the creative hub Fabrikken is a must, and you should stop by Lillehammer Art Museum, too. Afterwards, you can seek out the perfect Christmas gifts in the city's festively decorated streets.
If you want to get active in the snow, combine your trip to Lillehammer with a day or two in one of the nearby top-notch ski resorts Hafjell and Kvitfjell, which are usually open from November. You might also be brave enough to try the bob and luge track used at the 1994 Winter Olympics – and if not, you can take the chair lift to the top of the Lysegårdsbakkene ski jump for a fantastic view.
Christmas market in Trondheim
3-20 December
Trondheim is such a cosy Christmas town with lots to experience.
At the Christmas market in Trondheim, you’ll come in close contact with farmers and craftspeople eager to tell the stories behind their wares, whether you’re showing interest in a ceramic bowl at the wooden stalls or some exotic jam in the tent that is home to the Farmer’s market.
Large lavvo tents serve as both café and indoor stage, featuring fireside troubadours, local food, and a theatre performance for children.
Lastly, at the Torvscenen stage, you’ll find a constant stream of talented artists and bands putting on concerts for the benefit of the Salvation Army’s charity work.
The Christmas Town Tromsø
1-22 December
Get ready for a unique Christmas adventure in Northern Norway. The mini-metropolis Tromsø is committed to becoming Norway's official Christmas town and offers a pre-Christmas period full of magic.
The streets will be lit with Christmas lights, making Christmas gift shopping an atmospheric treat. Take a spin on the Ferris wheel or on the ice skating rink at the Christmas market by the harbour!
Christmas market in Røros
7-10 December
If you’re looking to get into the holiday spirit, there are few places on this earth more suitable than Røros, the town that inspired Disney’s megahit “Frozen”. With its old wooden houses, a multitude of crafts shops, and cosy cafes, Røros is the kind of place where it’s hard not to feel a touch of Christmas the first day the snow settles in the streets.
And then the real magic starts. Children with rosy cheeks and locally produced artisan wares like knitted gloves, glassware, cured sausages, smoked salmon, and woodwork line the streets during what could conceivably be named the mother of all Christmas fairs.
This is where you go for a horse-drawn sleigh ride underneath a sheepskin blanket, or to have close encounters with actual reindeer. For kids, the real adventure will probably be a visit to Santa.
Jul i Viken, Christmas market in Lillestrøm
5-10 December
Jul i Viken is one of the newer Christmas markets, which will be held at both Norges Varemesse and in the centre of Lillestrøm. Jul i Viken offers lots of fun for the whole family, with over 30 planned activities.
How about taking Christmas dinner to new heights this year? With Dinner in the Sky, you can enjoy Christmas lunch or dinner while soaring 50 metres above the ground!
You’ll find traditional Christmas market activities including a ferris wheel, indoor amusement park, food and arts and crafts stalls and a porridge party. In addition, you can take an alpaca walk or sleigh ride, meet Santa Claus, or take part in building the futuristic gingerbread town! Don’t miss the grand opening December 2-3, where you can see a spectacular 3D light show projected onto the buildings at Lillestrøm Torv!
Christmas market in Kristiansand
25 November - 21 December
From the end of November until December 22nd, there’s a large Christmas market at the public square in Kristiansand. The market is inspired by Christmas markets found in other European cities and consists of several charming stalls filled with everything from handicrafts to tasty Christmas treats.
Right next to the market you can test your skating skills at the big ice skating rink called “Kompis”.
Christmas at Bærums Verk
25 November - 21 December
Experience a good, old-fashioned pre-Christmas celebration at Bærums Verk, with Christmas trees, horse and cart, Christmas music and performances.
Here, you can listen to Christmas stories at Verket 1814 and admire crafts in the old workers’ houses. Join a historical walk or a sculpture park tour and let the little ones take part in fun Christmas workshops. The last four Sundays before Christmas Eve, you can buy locally-sourced treats – for yourself or to put under the Christmas tree – at the Farmer’s Market.
Norsk Folkemuseum’s annual Christmas fair
2-3 December and 9-10 December
One of Norway’s most popular Christmas markets is Norsk Folkemuseum’s annual Christmas fair, and understandably so. At the open-air museum in Oslo, visitors can buy Christmas gifts from more than a hundred stalls as they wander through a historical retelling of Christmases both decades and centuries past.
The whole museum is decorated in line with various customs and eras, allowing you to experience anything from Christmas Eve in a fancy merchant’s home in 1769 to the home of a rural Norwegian family in 1959.
Christmas market at Hadeland Glassverk
30 October - 19 December (weekends only)
At Hadeland Glassverk, you can easily combine Christmas gift shopping and pre-Christmas cosiness. Here, you’ll find ten shops, five restaurants, an art gallery, and Norway’s largest indoor Christmas market.
Blow your own Christmas ball, say hi to big and small elves, and join a sleigh ride through the Christmas-decorated glassworks village. This year the market also has an indoor ice rink in Gallery 2.
Pre-Christmas adventure in Henningsvær
3 November - 23 December
Northern Norway is about much more than the midnight sun – especially as the Christmas spirit is lurking around the corner. And few places in Norway convey the mood of this holiday like Henningsvær bathed in northern lights.
With tall mountains and deep fjords as a picturesque frame you can buy local glass crafts and ceramic (or make your own!), dive into regional delicacies such as the Lofot caviar and paté, or borrow a kicksled for cruising the wintry streets.
Christmas market in Egersund
7-10 December and 14-17 December
Surrounded by small, traditional wooden houses and a cosy atmosphere, there is nothing quite like the scents, sights, tastes, and sounds of the Christmas town to get you into the holiday spirit. The tradition of hosting the Christmas town dates back to 2004. This year, Santa Claus will be there to welcome you back!
Christmas in The Fortified Town
25 November - 17 December (weekends only)
The square in the fortress town of Fredrikstad has been busy with trade, shopping and Christmas preparations at this time of the year for many generations.
The star-shaped old town is also the backdrop for both a Christmas TV-show and a Christmas movie, so maybe you’ll feel like you’re in a Christmas fairytale yourself while wandering in the charming streets. The Christmas market is held the three first weekends in December.
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