The Christmas town
BERGEN
With its unique traditions and renowned cultural scene ...
... Bergen is a fun place to get into the Christmas spirit!
Wander through the medieval passageways of the iconic UNESCO World Heritage site: Bryggen.
The wharf is home to many shops, galleries, and restaurants. There's even a Christmas shop that's open year-round!
Visit the world's biggest Gingerbread city!
The locals bake and donate houses, churches, castles, and all kinds of imaginable structures to make the town. Doors open on November 15th at byROMMET in Kong Oscars gate 24-26.
Each Christmas, Festplassen, the festive square, turns into a magical Christmas market!
Browse a wide array of unique Christmas gifts at the market stalls.
Do you know anyone who would love a pair of handcrafted socks or a blanket made from soft, warm Norwegian wool?
Christmas is a great time to visit the excellentart museums KODE, comprising four building near Festplassen and several composer's homes. The venerable brick building pictured here is KODE Permanenten, whose collection includes handicrafts, design, and contemporary art. KODE is also home to one of the finest Munch collections in the world.
KODE museum also runs three composer homes, one of which is Edvard Grieg's residence at Troldhaugen. He composed many of his best-known works there.
Speaking of the famous composer – it's a beloved tradition for many locals to attend one of the many Christmas concerts at Grieg Hall, a concert hall in the centre, just a stone's throw from KODE.
Artists like Kygo, Aurora, Alan Walker and Röyksopp all call Bergen their home. The music scene is rocking in Bergen, so there's always a concert to enjoy.
Pick up some fresh seafood and locally produced items at Fisketorget, the fish market at the harbour. It's been an important marketplace ever since the 1200s.
The annual Lysfest is a celebration of light that in 2025 takes place on 15 November. Festplassen is filled with people of all ages and there are live concerts featuring traditional Christmas music and a torch-lit procession. The party ends with fireworks!
Try the Norwegian tradition of julebad, a Christmas dip! An ice-cold swim marks the end of the Christmas preparations and makes you feel refreshed and ready for the holidays.
When in Bergen, you should taste persetorsk, a local speciality. Fresh cod is salted, coated with sugar and pressed over time to give it a delicious and unique flavour and texture. If you want to sample more Norwegian food, scroll below for some traditional Christmas recipes.
Lively, bold and vibrant: nothing beats Bergen during the holiday!
Book a hotel today and get ready to feel the cosy holiday spirit of Bergen at Christmas.
Have a Happy Christmas in Bergen!
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