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.
The whole ordeal would seem exceptional – if it weren’t so commonplace. With about four tonnes of weight and around thirty metres of height, the tree is merely the last addition to a long and green tradition that started all the way back in 1947.
During the Second World War, Great Britain was Norway’s closest ally. This was where the Norwegian King and government fled as their country was occupied, and it was from London that much of Norway’s resistance movement was organised.
Both the BBC and its Norwegian counterpart NRK would broadcast in Norwegian from London, something that was both an important source of information and a boost of morale for those who remained in Norway, where people would listen in secret. Because radios were, of course, forbidden by law by the occupants.
After the war, Norway began sending a pine tree to London every year as a thank-you.
Christmas and Christmas trees have a long tradition in Norway, as in so many other countries. So what are Norwegian Christmas traditions like?
In Norway, the celebration and preparations for the holiday season begin early on, usually the last weekend in November, with the baking of Christmas cookies (seven different kinds, at a minimum), shopping for Christmas gifts, and going to at least one cheerful Christmas concert.
A whole season of magic
And it says something about how the Norwegians stretch Christmas over a whole season, that in the city of Drøbak near Oslo, the popular Christmas House is open for visitors all year round. Many other cities and places start preparing for cosy events and fairs early on. Find the top Christmas destinations in Norway.
Pre-Christmas is a time for socialising, and a lot of great restaurants serve typical Norwegian Christmas dishes, often with local ingredients. The menus usually consist of “ribbe” (pork ribs), “pinnekjøtt” (lamb ribs), or in some parts of Norway, cod. In bakeries, go for Norwegian Christmas cookies like “goro”, “krumkaker” or “berlinerkrans”, and in supermarkets, you can buy a fun do-it-yourself kit for building your own miniature gingerbread house.
All in all, the whole country is an ongoing huge festival of lights that keeps on shining for weeks after New Year’s Eve to preserve that fairy tale spirit.
Christmas markets
A major part of the celebrations are the Christmas markets in Norwegian cities and towns, and here is a list of the major markets spread all over Norway.
Sleep in the world’s largest gingerbread house, experience a fairytale-like white Christmas with cheerful markets – and visit Father Christmas himself. These are some of the best places to go if you want to celebrate Christmas in Norway.
The Christmas capital of Norway – Oslo
With decorations everywhere, Oslo is a glorious sight all through December. You’ll likely get a white Christmas here as well, and if so, the Korketrekkeren toboggan runs about 20 minutes from the city centre is great fun.
The most unique Christmas fair, however, takes place at the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History at Bygdøy during the first two weekends of December. Experience traditional Christmas in different eras, browse the market stalls, attend Christmas decoration workshops, and enjoy festive entertainment.
The Christmas Town – Tromsø
The mini-metropolis Tromsø is committed to becoming Norway’s official Christmas town and offers a pre-Christmas period full of magic.
Tromsø is the perfect place to get into the festive spirit. Here, urban city life is combined with exciting winter activities and arctic nature, not to mention the northern lights.
From November 18th, the streets will be lit with Christmas lights, making Christmas gift shopping an atmospheric treat. You can find the perfect gift in the stalls at the Christmas market, or in the more exclusive shops in Tromsø city centre. At Christmas, we Norwegians like to treat ourselves to extra delightful food, and local delicacies are on the menu at most of the city’s restaurants.
When you visit around Christmas, you can also go on adventures in the Arctic nature. What are more Christmas-like than greeting a reindeer herd? A dog sledding trip under the northern lights is also guaranteed to get you into the holiday spirit.
The Christmas spirit in Bergen
The narrow alleys of the old Hanseatic city of Bergen are a wonderful setting to get into the Christmas spirit. You’ll find a big Christmas market at Festplassen. The city is also home to the world’s biggest gingerbread town. Watch as they switch on the lights at the top of the city on Mount Fløien, and round off the evening with a Christmas concert.
In addition to doing some Christmas shopping, you should pay a visit to the KODE art museums, the famous aquarium, and numerous other exciting attractions around town. You can easily combine a visit to Bergen with a journey to Flåm, either with the Flåm Line or on a fjord sightseeing cruise or round trip like Norway in a nutshell.
A magical Christmas in Trondheim
The Christmas Market in Trondheim takes place in the city centre in December every year. Here you will find an exciting traditional market with quality crafts, Christmas food and trees. Experience concerts, theatre and horse and sleigh rides. And in the lavvo you can enjoy local food and beverages by the fire while listening to troubadours and folk tales.
Experience the beautiful blue hour, “den blå timen”. It gives everything outdoors a magical blue glow. Combined with the decorated market stalls and thousands of small lights, it is like stepping into a Norwegian fairy tale.
The Christmas Market was held for the first time in 2003, with only 5 stalls. Today, the market consists of over 90 exhibitors and 100 cultural events.
A White Christmas in Lillehammer
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.
A pre-Christmas adventure in Henningsvær
Are you ready for a Christmas experience under the northern lights? In the beautiful village of Henningsvær in Lofoten, the pre-Christmas fun starts at the beginning of November. This authentic fishing village has many quaint niche shops and local artisans who have mastered the arts of glassblowing, candle making, and wool hat design.
Take a selfie with one of the blue kicksleds that have been equipped with wheels – perfect in mild temperatures – and spend a night in one of the fishermen’s cabins by the seaside. If you want to get out of the village, a day trip to the Lofotr Viking Museum at Borg is lots of fun. Or perhaps you want to visit the charming villages of Svolvær or Kabelvåg, with museums, aquariums, and galleries?
The closest airport and Hurtigruten port of call is in Svolvær, from which you can take a bus to Henningsvær.
A traditional Christmas in Røros
If you’re looking for a nostalgic feeling, charming Røros has precisely what you need. The old mining town with small timber houses is on the UNESCO world heritage list and is the perfect place to avoid the pre-Christmas rush of the bigger cities, with lots of niche stores and talented artisans selling their wares.
Røros take a lot of pride in its food, so don’t be surprised to see reindeer, Arctic char, and craft beer on the menu.
Get into the Christmas spirit with a visit to the Christmas market held on the second weekend of Advent, and to Røros Church for a magical Christmas concert. You can also join a guided tour through the city or try dog sledding.
A trip to Røros can be combined with an unforgettable Christmas concert in the Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim. You can easily get to both destinations by train or plane.
Christmas markets in the south
In the south of Norway, you’ll find several towns that go above and beyond to create the perfect Christmas. Visit Kristiansand and stroll around the Christmas market in the public square. Taste the traditional Christmas cookie kageman before gliding around in the ice rink.
The city is filled with beautiful Christmas decorations and a unique light show! The city will be bursting with concerts and shows, Christmas markets and workshops for the whole family. Try some traditional Norwegian Christmas cuisine in the restaurants, and sample sweets and fried nuts at the market.
Sleep in Santa’s giant gingerbread house
Do you want to meet the real Norwegian Santa? Take the train in the direction of Røros and hop off at Tynset to visit the mountain village of Savalen. Nissegata (Santa lane) has charming hotels – or you can sleep in the world’s biggest gingerbread house!
Nissehuset (Santa’s house) has a gift-wrapping machine, a fairy tale throne and, of course, a post office. Although Nissehuset is open year-round, almost every day, including holidays, the most magical time to visit is of course during the beautiful winter months.
After a day filled with fun in the snow, you can heat up in the spa and swimming pool at Savalen Fjellhotel. In the weeks leading up to Christmas, the town arranges fun holiday activities at weekends. And once the new year is here, Santas from around the world gather in Savalen to compete in the annual Santa Claus Winter Games.
