Fjøsnisse - a Nisse eating Christmas porridge. Photo: Bastian Fjeld/VisitNorway

Press release - 9 November 2023 13:15

8 ways to experience the Norwegian Christmas spirit

It's the cosiest time of the year! Cold outside, but warm inside, with candles, buzzing bars, and joyful Christmas fairs.

Norway goes into full Christmas mode starting in about mid-November. If you are lucky, you will be surrounded by whirling snowflakes! It's not just the festive season. It's also the perfect time for doing something extra for someone special. For spending time together with those you love the most.

So, this Christmas, offer your time as a gift to friends and family. Invite them to join you on a magical holiday in Norway and experience the authentic spirit of Norwegian Christmas!

1. Let there be light

It's the dark time of year, but it's also full of lights! Both outside and inside. Marvel at the cosy and down-to-earth Norwegian Christmas spirit in November and December.

Christmas In Norway | Traditions | White Christmas (visitnorway.com)

2. Cosy Christmas fairs

Soak up the atmosphere at one of Norway's many Christmas markets and fairs and find traditional tastes and gifts you won't get anywhere else.

The best Christmas markets in Norway 2023 | Gifts, food, and Christmas spirit (visitnorway.com)

3. Find unique gifts

Fairs are a good place to find a very special gift for a very special person, thanks to skilled Norwegian craftspeople.

Gift tip: Pick up a pair of Norway's iconic Selbuvotter (Selbu mittens). Read the unique story of how they were developed!

Selbuvotter - Norway's most famous mittens (visitnorway.com)

4. Meet the Fjøsnisse

Visit one of popular Christmas fairs held in one of Norway's open air folk museums in Oslo or Lillehammer during the first weekends in December. There, you can meet fjøsnissen, the authentic "Norwegian Santa". Taste his delicious porridge!

Fjøsnissen: The Norwegian Santa (visitnorway.com)

5. Santa's post office

Did you know that all mail sent to Santa Claus ends up in the cosy little village town of Drøbak, outside Oslo? Visit Tregaardens Christmas House and send your Christmas cards and wish lists from Santa’s official post office!

Tregaarden´s Christmas House | Gifts & Souvenirs | Drøbak | Norway (visitnorway.com)

6. The World's Largest Gingerbread Town

There can be no true Norwegian Christmas without pepperkaker, gingerbread cookies! In Bergen, you can experience the world’s biggest gingerbread city, all baked and arranged by locals!

The world’s largest gingerbread town | Christmas in Bergen (visitnorway.com)

7. Tasty Christmas food

Christmas traditions in Norway are as varied as the country itself. Learn more about tasty Norwegian holiday treats like pinnekjøtt, ribbe, lutefisk and pickled Christmas herring.

The taste of Christmas | Norwegian Christmas food (visitnorway.com)

8. A pre-Christmas city break

Visit one of Norway's excellent Christmas towns! Combine cultural experiences, shopping, and Christmas fairs in Oslo or Bergen, or head to Trondheim, a very cosy city with plenty of delights for gourmets!

If you are dreaming of a white Christmas......you might get snow in many places. But your chances are better if you head to the traditional timber town of Røros, or the skiing paradise of Lillehammer. Or go all the way north to Tromsø, in the Arctic. You might also glimpse both Rudolph and the northern lights!

Top Christmas destinations in Norway (visitnorway.com)

Topics

Contacts

Nina Kjønigsen

Press contact PR Lead nina.kjonigsen@innovasjonnorge.no +47 930 36463

Harald Hansen

Press contact Media specialist harald.hansen@innovasjonnorge.no +4748045755

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Norwegian Christmas miracles

After the Second World War, Norway decided to repay their British allies with a very special annual Christmas gift – a tree. On the first Thursday in December, a huge Christmas tree is lit in London’s Trafalgar Square, radiating its Yuletide joy in all directions. What you might not know, is that the tree has travelled all the way from Nordmarka outside of Oslo. Yes, in Norway.