In Norway, Christmas is based on Christian traditions , with Nordic elements and the Jewish Hanukkah. New elements are also adopted from time to time.
The Christmas markets are a great claim, which we will talk about today.
Advent in Oslo
From the end of November, Oslo is characterized by Christmas shopping and preparations. On the first weekend of Advent, the Christmas tree and the streets of the city center are illuminated . During this time, there are several Christmas concerts and characteristic Christmas markets.
During Advent, it's a Norwegian tradition for businesses, associations, and groups of friends to organize a julebord (Christmas dinner party). This is a pre-Christmas dinner or party featuring typical dishes of the season. The streets fill with people, especially on weekends, and restaurants and nightclubs are usually packed for these festive gatherings.
Christmas Eve, December 23
Many families have their own traditions for this night, such as decorating the tree and making house-shaped panpepato cakes . Others eat the typical risotto with sugar, cinnamon, and butter. An almond is hidden in the rice, and whoever finds it receives a marzipan piglet as a reward!
Christmas Eve, December 24
Christmas Eve is the main day of Christmas celebrations in Norway . The first part of the day is usually spent in the stress of last-minute gift shopping, or perhaps spending an hour in church for reflection and prayer. By five in the afternoon, the Christmas spirit has truly arrived, and most Norwegians are having dinner at home or with family. Christmas presents have already been placed under the tree and are opened during the evening.
Of course, not everyone celebrates Christmas in Norway, but most follow these traditions more or less strictly. Many ethnic minority Norwegians celebrate Christmas in their own way, but with elements of Norwegian Christmas. Since this is a night purely dedicated to family and home, many restaurants and clubs are closed, and the streets are very quiet.
Christmas period 25-30 December
The days between Christmas and New Year's are usually filled with family commitments, with dinners, parties, and visits. From December 26th onwards, people start going out again, and there's definitely more life in the city center. From the 27th, shops reopen , and the favorite pastime is exchanging recently received gifts that didn't quite meet personal tastes.
Christmas specials, including Christmas treats
The most popular Christmas dinner is pork ribs, but lutefisk (cod), pinnekjøtt (lamb), boiled cod, roast ham, and turkey are also common dishes. Most seafood and Norwegian specialty restaurants serve seasonal dishes in November and December. Many people drink Christmas beer while enjoying these specialties. Christmas beer is darker than regular Norwegian beer and is available in stores starting in November.
Risolatte is a dish with a long tradition, traditionally eaten by the stable elves! In the field, a plate of risotto is placed outside the gate for the goblin. If any risotto is left over from the bowl, a rice cream with red sauce is prepared, a typical Christmas dinner dessert.
During Advent, the typical drink is gløgg , a hot, spiced beverage related to the German Glühwein. Gløgg is usually made with red wine, but there are also non-alcoholic versions. You can find gløgg at most Christmas markets in Oslo, where you can also enjoy pepperkaker cookies ! Pepperkaker cookies are sold and eaten in huge quantities at Christmas. Many parents bake pepperkaker cookies with their children, and the more patient ones even try to build the traditional cookie house ( pepperkakehus ). This cookie house is first used as a Christmas decoration and then eaten after Christmas.
Christmas is, of course, the season for various sweets and treats. Marzipan is sold in large quantities. Nidar, one of the main manufacturers, estimates that around 5 million Norwegians eat up to 40 million marzipan figurines at Christmas.
Nuts and chocolate are products that you can find in any room at Christmas. Other traditional Christmas sweets like almonds and caramel apples have lost popularity in Norwegian homes, but you can find them at various Christmas markets.
Christmas decorations
Before Christmas, it's customary to decorate the house with elves, angels, stars, hearts, wreaths made of pinecones, and perhaps a nativity scene or a gingerbread house. More and more people are decorating their homes with lights and garlands visible from the outside. The Christmas tree is a tradition in every living room. The tree has the traditional star at the top and is decorated with every imaginable ornament.
Christmas is fast approaching, like reindeer hurtling through the bright night sky. That means Traditional Norwegian Christmas markets are about to return for a new era of original Christmas gifts, delicious handmade meals and festively lit streets. In the weeks leading up to Christmas, you'll find plenty of Christmas markets all over the country. Here we leave you a selection of eleven fantastic Christmas markets that will surely make you feel the Christmas spirit.
Christmas markets in Spikersuppa, Oslo
November 12 - January 1, 2023
Spikersuppa, one of the capital's Christmas markets, lasts for more than a month. It takes place next to the Spikersuppa ice rink at Karl Johans Gate, Oslo's main street, just a few steps from the Royal Palace. This year the Market will return to the normality of previous editions, with everything you need to give you a magical Christmas. There will be booths and food stalls, a romantic ice skating rink, and all-new activities for the whole family, including a new Ferris wheel!
Christmas markets in Bergen
November 25 - December 22
The Christmas Markets take place in the heart of the city at Festplassen. There is the traditional Ferris wheel and the carousel, there is also a big Christmas tree and a beautiful Christmas atmosphere. The Christmas Prayer has a very special role during these festivities.
Christmas markets in Lillehammer
December 2-3 and December 9-10
If you dream of a snow-covered winter wonderland, Lillehammer is for you. The pretty lakeside town Mjøsa is an hour and a half by train from Oslo Airport.Discover how Christmas was celebrated in the Middle Ages at the Maihaugen open-air museum, which houses a Christmas market the first weekend of AdventAlso not to be missed is a visit to Fabrikken, a creative center for arts and crafts, as well as a stop at the Lillehammer Art Museum.
Christmas markets in Trondheim
December 1 to 18
At the Trondheim Christmas markets, you can meet farmers and artisans eager to tell the story behind their productswhether we're interested in a pottery bowl at the log cabin stalls or some exotic jam at the farmers' market marquee. Five large lavvo tents will serve as cafes and indoor settings, hosting storytellers or meals local, and for a children's theater show.And finally, on the Torvscenen stage there is a constant stream of talented artists and bands that concerts will be held to support the Salvation Army's charitable activities.
Tromsø, the city of Christmas
November 17 - December 31
Christmas markets in Røros
1 to December 4
Røros, the city that inspired the Disney hit 'Frozen'. With their old wooden houses, a multitude of craft shops and cozy cafes. Røros is the kind of place where it's hard not to feel the Christmas spirit as soon as the snow starts to stick to the streets. Even if that day arrives in September. Flushed-cheeked children stroll through streets lined with products made by local artisans, such as woolen gloves, glass and woodworking, cured sausages, and smoked salmon, during what could be considered the mother of all Christmas markets. You can also take a ride in a horse-drawn sleigh covered in a sheepskin, or go see real reindeer. For children, the real adventure will undoubtedly be a visit santa claus.
Jul i Viken, Christmas markets in Lillestrøm
November 26 - December 12
It takes place at both the fairgrounds, Norges Varemesse, and in downtown Lillestrøm. Jul i Viken will offer plenty of fun for the whole family, with more than 30 organized activities. How about taking Christmas dinner to new heights this year? With Dinner in the Sky you can enjoy a Christmas lunch or dinner at 50 meters highMany traditional Christmas market activities take place, including the Ferris wheel, an indoor amusement park, food and craft stalls, and a porridge party. You can even take an alpaca or sleigh ride, meet Santa Claus, or participate in building a futuristic gingerbread town!
Christmas markets in Kristiansand
November 26 - December 22
From the end of November to December 22, a large Christmas market is held in the main square of Kristiansand. this market is inspired by the Christmas markets found in other European cities and is made up of many cute stalls offering everything from handicrafts to delicious Christmas sweets. Right next to the market, you can test your skating skills on the large ice rink called "Kompis."
Christmas in Bærums Verk
November 26 - December 23
Here you can experience a good old-fashioned pre-Christmas celebration at Bærums Verk, with Christmas trees, horses and carriages, Christmas music, and entertainment. You can also listen to Christmas stories at Verket 1814 and admire the crafts in the former workers' cottages. On the last four Sundays before Christmas Eve, you can buy local delicacies—for yourself or to put under the tree for someone else—at the Farmer's Market.
Annual Christmas Market at the Norwegian Folk Museum
December 3 and 4 and December 10 and 11
It's one of the most popular Christmas markets in Norway and now you'll see why. At the Norwegian Folk Museum, Oslo's open-air museum, visitors can shop for original Christmas gifts at more than XNUMX stalls while strolling through a historical retelling of Christmas from decades and centuries ago.The whole museum is decorated following different traditions and times, which allows to revive different environments: from Christmas Eve in the luxurious house of a merchant in 1769, to the house of a Norwegian peasant family in 1959.
Christmas market in Hadeland Glassverk
October 29 – December 23
In Hadeland Glassverk you can easily combine Christmas shopping with enjoying the pre-Christmas atmosphere. There are ten shops, five restaurants, an art gallery and Norway's largest covered Christmas marketYou can create your own glass Christmas ornaments, meet elves, both big and small, and take a sleigh ride through the festively decorated glass factory village.
Pre-Christmas Adventures in Henningsvær
November 4 – December 18 (weekends only)
Northern Norway is much more than the Midsummer Midnight Sun, especially when the Christmas spirit is just around the corner. Few places in Norway capture the spirit of this holiday like Henningsvær, surrounded by the Northern Lights. With towering mountains and deep fjords providing a picturesque backdrop, you can buy handmade glass and pottery (or try your hand at making your own!), sample regional delicacies such as caviar and pate de Lofot, or rent a sled and stroll through the snowy streets.
Christmas markets in Egersund
1 to December 11
Surrounded by typical wooden houses and a cozy atmosphere, nothing better than the smells, colours, flavors and sounds of the City of Christmas to immediately get into the Christmas spirit. The tradition of hosting Christmas Town began in 2004.
Christmas in the fortress city
December 3-18 (weekends only)
Fredrikstad's walled city square at Christmas has always been filled with markets, shopping opportunities, and festive preparations for generations. The star-shaped Old Town has even been the setting for a Christmas movie and TV show, so while strolling through these charming narrow streets, you too can feel like you're in a Christmas fairy tale. The Christmas Market takes place on the first three weekends of December.
