In Norway, Christmas is based on Christian traditions, with Nordic elements and the Jewish hanuka. As well as new elements that are adopted from time to time.
The Christmas markets are a great claim, which we will talk about today.
Advent in Oslo
Since the end of November, Oslo has been characterized by Christmas shopping and Christmas preparations. The first weekend of Advent the Christmas tree and the streets of the center are illuminated. During this time there are several Christmas concerts and very characteristic Christmas markets.
During Advent it is a Norwegian custom for employers, associations and companies of friends to organize a Christmas table (Christmas table). It is a pre-Christmas dinner or party with typical dishes from this time of year. The streets are full of people especially on weekends, and restaurants and nightclubs are usually full for these Christmas tables.
Christmas Eve, December 23
Many families have their own tradition for tonight, such as decorate the tree and make panpepato cakes in the shape of a house. Others eat the typical risotto with sugar, cinnamon and butter. An almond is hidden in the rice, and whoever finds it is rewarded with a piglet made of marzipan!
Christmas Eve, December 24
Christmas Eve it is the main day of Christmas celebrations in Norway. The first part of the day is usually devoted to the stress of shopping for the latest gifts, or to an hour of reflection and prayer in church. At five in the evening the Christmas atmosphere arrives, and most Norwegians are having dinner at home or with a family member. the gifts of Christmas they have already been placed under the tree and open overnight.
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 Years are usually full of family commitments, with dinners, parties and visits. As of December 26, people start going out again and there is definitely more life in the center. From the 27th the shops reopen and the favorite sport is to exchange gifts recently received but which have not satisfied personal tastes.
Christmas specials, including Christmas treats
The most popular Christmas dinner is pork ribs, but the lutefisk (cod), the pinned down (lamb), boiled cod, baked ham, and turkey are also common dishes. Most Norwegian specialty and seafood restaurants serve seasonal dishes in November and December. Many drink a Christmas beer while tasting the specialties. The Christmas beer is darker than the usual Norwegian beer and is on sale in stores from 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 the advent period, the typical drink is glogg, a hot and spicy drink related to the German Glühwein. the gløgg se It is usually made with red wine, but there are also non-alcoholic variants. You can find glogg at most Oslo Christmas markets,where you can also enjoy panpepato cookies!. Pampepato cookies (pepperkaker) are sold and eaten in industrial quantities at Christmas. Many parents prepare pampepato cookies with their children, and the most patient ones also try to build the traditional house made of cookies (pepperkakehus). This cookie house is first used as a Christmas decoration and then eaten after Christmas is over.
Christmas is, of course, the season for various sweets and treats. Marzipan is sold in large quantities. Nidar, one of the leading 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 is customary to decorate the house with elves, angels, stars, hearts, crowns made of pine cones, and perhaps with a nativity sceneor a pampepato cookie house. More and more people decorate the house with lights and garlands visible from the outside. The Christmas tree is a custom in all classrooms. The tree has the traditional star on top and is decorated with every imaginable decoration.
Christmas is fast approaching, like reindeer darts across the brilliant night sky. That means the traditional Norwegian Christmas markets are about to return for a new time 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.
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
Tromsø, a small arctic metropolis, aims to become the official city of Christmas in Norway and offers a magical pre-Christmas period. Streets festooned with lights and decorations create the perfect atmosphere for Christmas shopping. And don't forget to take a ride on the Ferris wheel or on the ice skating rink at the Christmas Market located in the port!
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 cling to the streets. Although that day may already come in September.Red-cheeked children stroll through the streets lined with products made by local artisans, such as wool, glass and carpentry gloves, cured sausages and smoked salmon, during what could be considered the mother of all the Christmas markets. You can also take a ride in a horse-drawn sleigh covered with 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 both at the fairgrounds, Norges Varemesse, and in the center of Lillestrøm. Jul i Viken will offer lots of fun for the whole family, with over 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 high!Many traditional activities take place at Christmas markets, such as the Ferris wheel, an indoor amusement park, food and craft stalls, and an oatmeal feast. You can even go for an alpaca or sleigh ride, meet Santa Claus or take part in building a futuristic gingerbread city!
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 tasty Christmas treats.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 tales at Verket 1814 and admire the craftsmanship in the old workers' houses . On the last four Sundays before Christmas Eve, you can buy local delicacies, for yourself or to put under the tree for someone, 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 market.You can create your own glass Christmas decorations, meet elves big and small, and take part in a sleigh ride through the festively decorated glassworks town.
Pre-Christmas Adventures in Henningsvær
November 4 – December 18 (weekends only)
Northern Norway is much more than the midnight summer sun, especially when the Christmas mood is just around the corner. Few places in Norway convey the spirit of this holiday like Henningsvær, surrounded by the northern lights. With high mountains and deep fjords providing a picturesque backdrop, you can buy handmade glassware and pottery (or try making your own! ), sample regional delicacies such as caviar and pate de Lofot, or rent a sled and ride 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 town square at Christmas has always been bustling with markets, shopping opportunities and Christmas preparations for generations. The star-shaped Old Town has even been the setting for a Christmas movie and TV show, for which while strolling through these charming narrow streets, you might as well feel like you are in a Christmas fairy tale. The Christmas Market takes place the first three weekends of December.
