Christmas in Oslo
The Ferris wheel spins and a couple in love kisses with mulled wine lips.
It's a wonderful, magical time of the year to visit Norway's vibrant capital!
Visitors come from far and wide to experience Oslo's Christmas spirit. You'll definitely find a holiday atmosphere at the Christmas market in Spikersuppa in the high street, Karl Johan.
Skate around the ice rink! It’s free and open every day during winter.
Bring your own ice skates, or rent a pair here.
Enjoy a ride with the Ferris wheel, stop by the market stalls, and treat yourself to some fresh doughnuts!
Next to the Ferris wheel, you'll find the impressive National Theatre.
Here, you can see some fantastic Christmas plays. A concert is a great alternative for those who don't speak Norwegian.
Each year, the boys' choir Sølvguttene ('The Silver Boys') sings beloved carols in Oslo Cathedral. They're guaranteed to give you a warm and nostalgic Christmas feeling.
There are many more concerts to choose from in the city.
With its wide variety of shops, Oslo is arguably the best city for Christmas gift shopping in Norway.
Make sure to visit the high street, Karl Johan, and Bogstadveien, as well as the excellent niche shops in Grünerløkka and the trendy new Oslobukta neighbourhood.
Another great shopping area is Aker Brygge. Take a walk along the charming harbour promenade.
Soon, you will reach Oslo's Supermarked, a cosy, alternative Christmas market at the cultural arena SALT, across the water from the Opera.
It's open the two first weekends of December. Find unique ceramics, accessories, clothes, second-hand gifts, and …
... saunas! There are a number of fjord saunas along the waterfront.
You can book a visit in advance or drop in for some steaming hot relaxation and/or an ice-cold shock!
Discover how Christmas was celebrated in the old days at the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History, a wonderful open-air museum at Bygdøy.
Experience Christmas traditions from the past 500 years in centuries-old traditional houses that have been carefully preserved. You may even meet the Norwegian Santa, Fjøsnissen!
Traditional Norwegian Christmas dishes vary depending on where you are in Norway.
Luckily, the wide range of culinary experiences in Oslo makes it possible to taste a little bit (or a lot!) of everything.
It might be hard to get a table, since Norwegians love their julebord, a Christmas party that involves dining out and enjoying traditional Christmas dishes with friends or colleagues. So, book early!
In between the Christmas markets, take a break and sip the best hot chocolate in town at the luxurious library bar at Hotel Bristol, or sample an indulgent cup at the renowned patisserie Pascal, in Henrik Ibsens gate.
Some Norwegians eat seafood, others ribbe, traditional pork ribs, or pinnekjøtt, salt-cured lamb ribs, at Christmas. If you dare, taste the famous lutefisk, dried and salted cod, cured in lye!
You can sample it at storied eateries like Lorry Restaurant, or at Frognerseteren Restaurant Finstua, which offers beautiful views of Oslo (and a cosy fireplace).
Scroll below for more delicious restaurants.
Snow is not guaranteed in December – but if there is snow ...
... you can go cross country skiing in the vast open plains around the city. You can also visit Holmenkollen and its ski museum, where you can explore 4,000 years of skiing history and take in some of Oslo's best panoramic views from the ski jump tower!
Holmenkollen is also the home of an impressive art installation, Roseslottet, 'The Rose Castle'.
The installation is a mediation on World War II and its impact on Norway, and includes more than 200 paintings by prominent Norwegian artist Vebjørn Sand as well as sculptures by Vebjørn and his brother Eimund Sand.
Another classic winter activity is Oslo's toboggan run!
Take the metro to Frognerseteren station and sled down the 2,000-metre trail called Korketrekkeren (the Corkscrew)! If you want to try it again, it only takes 16 minutes to ride the metro back up to the top.
Regardless of the weather, there are always excellent snow conditions (year round!) at the indoor ski centre SNØ.
SNØ invites you to its Christmas market on the last Sunday in November, and the first two weekends in December.
Did you know that Oslo has rapidly become a hotspot for art in Europe?
Explore the MUNCH museum and the biggest art museum in the Nordic countries, the National Museum. There's also much more for art lovers to explore in and around Oslo.
For a romantic end to your evening, you should drop by one of Oslo's rooftop bars! Kranen bar at the top of the MUNCH is pictured here.
Once it's dark, you can take in a magical view of Oslo's festively lit streets.
Do you want to know a secret?
Santa lives in Drøbak!
Tregaarden's Christmas House is open all year round, and is just a 40-minute bus ride south of Oslo.
Every year, Santa receives about 20,000 letters from all over the world in his letter box in Drøbak, and answers about 3,000 of them. It might be quicker with email, but Santa is a stickler for tradition.
A 40-minute bus ride west of Oslo takes you to a vibrant festive spirit at the annual Christmas market at Bærums Verk.
Among the historical buildings, you can explore galleries, arts and crafts, and enjoy a ride with a horse and carriage!
There is something magical about the holiday season in Oslo.
But don't worry if you miss Christmas here — there are plenty of fun things to do in the city, year round!
Have yourself a merry little Christmas in Oslo!
Book a lovely hotel stay with our partners at
Radisson Blu Hotels, Citybox, Scandic Hotels, Strawberry, and Thon Hotels.
Tasty Christmas treats
Museums and galleries
OsloHausmania Culture House
Independent culture houses with cheep studios for artists and musicians. Hausmania is a place where artists can work undisturbed by commercial interests, and aims to to be a place that inspires artists and helps different fields cooperate. The premises include about 20 practice rooms for bands, and about 40 art studios for painters, designers, jewellery-makers and writers. The house is also home to three galleries, four theatre groups, an MC club, a skateboard hall, a craft workshop, an internet café, a book café, a library, a cinema and rentable meeting rooms.
Where to stay
Joyful Christmas city breaks
Give yourself a treat before Christmas! Experience the holiday atmosphere.
Get inspired
Christmas the Norwegian way
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Discover more Norwegian holiday traditions and treats.
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See our selection of trusted companies that work hard to make you happy all through your trip.
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