December at 11.00 -16.00. Oslos new meeting and event hotel in a new suit, Model.SafeGet(m => m.FooterHeader) on Twitter, Read more about The Christmas Fair at Norsk Folkemuseum, Open 4.-5. and 11.-12. Scandinavian girl names: 35 female Scandinavian names, 11 creatures from Scandinavian folklore you should know. Every day over 15 000 team members goes to work with one thought on their mind: to create great hotel experiences so our guests wants to come back. Here you can shop for Christmas gifts from more than one hundred stalls, and at the same time experience a historical stroll through Christmas celebrations from decades and centuries ago. In December it turns into a quaint little Christmas village, complete with a Christmas market, reindeer sleigh-rides and workshops offering beautiful hand-made gifts. Youll find that lots of things shut down over Christmas and Boxing Day in Oslo with good reason! If youre in Oslo around this time you may be fortunate enough to witness one of their processions of light people (usually children) dressed all in white and carrying candles as they sing. Help Ukraine during the Russian invasion, Magical Maastricht Christmas Market & Light Route, Christmas in Winterland (Jul i Vinterland) in Spikersuppa (official website), Julemarked p Youngstorget (official website), Christmas Fair | Norsk Folkemuseum (official website), Christmas in Winterland (Jul i Vinterland). They called it Jul or Jl and it was a way to look forward to the spring. There are 18 slopes to try out, perfect for all ability levels. However, this emphasis on light is almost certainly also a continuation of the midwinter rituals that have taken place in the region for hundreds of years (way back to the pagans). Because its Norway and baked goods are a national treasure. Everything you need to know about travelling in Scandinavia. The Valkyrie symbol in Norse mythology and what Valkyries are really like, Where is the Scandinavian peninsula? Christmas in Norways capital city gives you the chance to explore its many sites of interest, rich cultural scene and beautiful natural landscape without the crowds that are there in the warmer months. Its a great activity to do with kids. December 13th is St Lucia Day, which is a significant event for all of the Nordic countries, including Norway. The cozy wooden stalls sell handicrafts, food, and hot drinks. This tradition evolved from the. Just in front of Stortinget, the Norwegian Parliament building, youll find Spikersuppa and the Jul i Vinterland Christmas market. Here, you can blow your own Christmas ball, go for a sleigh ride through the Christmas-theme decorated glassworks village, or skate on an indoor ice rink in Gallery 2. Every year they present a beautiful rendition and because its a ballet show it wont matter if youre not fluent in the local language! And more! The annual Norsk Folkemuseum's Christmas Fair features over 100 Christmas stalls, pony rides, farm animals, Santa's workshops, a candle factory, and exhibits about Norwegian Christmas traditions. This means every day until the 24th is infused with that extra reminder that Christmas is around the corner. After dark, the trees are lit up with twinkling Christmas lights making for a truly magical experience. Scandification is a participant in Amazon Service LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated websites.
They use heated tents called Lavvus that are traditionally used by the Sami people. Any final decorations are put up, Christmas trees light up the home and kitchens all around Norway fill with the smell of traditional baking and cooking. Sea and sun in Islands Brygge, Copenhagen, AWNL Stockholm: The meteoric rise of Swedish jewellery design, VEJRHJ Watches wood, steel & Nordic minimalism, Meet Larsen and Eriksen: The watch designers from Denmark, Urbanista audio: Scandi designs to suit your lifestyle, Triwa watches: Transforming the watch industry forever, Nordic aliens: Your guide to Nordic extraterrestrials and what makes them special, Stunning mythical forests in Scandinavia and around the world, Santa in Norway is called Julenissen and on Christmas Eve children like to leave out sweetened rice porridge for him. For example, you might like to check out: Bergen in southwestern Norway boasts the worlds largest gingerbread town. If youre visiting Oslo in winter, you simply cant leave without trying some traditional winter sports. But with twinkling Christmas lights turning on after dark and candles glowing in the windows, the Norwegians sure know how to keep the soul feeling warm. Experience some Scandinavian holiday magic. You are offline, some content may be out of date. It will be cold and icy, but there might not be snow. If youre really wanting a snowy Christmas, you might be better off visiting a town thats a little more inland or north of the city, like Rros or Lillehammer. You might also want to take the opportunity to catch a glimpse of the renowned Northern Lights. Plus, Christmas aside, Oslo and the surrounding areas are an absolute hotspot for winter sports! Kids are entertained with gingerbread workshops, Santa's residence, and handmade presents. Theyre often full of speeches, a glorious amount of food and the traditional amount of drinkingwhich means lots. The beautiful hilly terrain of Oslo means theres ample opportunity to try sledding in winter. Stop by the Christmas market Jul i Vinterland located in the Spikersuppa area next to Karl Johans gate. There is also a large Ferris wheel and an ice rink that add to the festive atmosphere. On Little Christmas Eve (December 23rd) many Norwegian households pause to watch an old comedy movie called Dinner for One so if a local friend says theyre busy on the night, this might be why! At the beginning of December, lots of families gift their children with advent calendars with each little window opening to reveal a chocolate or a present of some kind. Scandification explores and celebrates the magic of Scandinavia. Plus, theres a ferris wheel nearby, which offers beautiful views of the area and the Oslo Christmas markets are also just a stones throw away. Its also important to know that its a pretty dark time of year if youre in Oslo for Christmas. Here both young and old can enjoy Christmassy activities. With roots dating back to the 1600s, it has great historical significance with some of the original buildings still standing. If youre visiting Oslo in December for work, or are just in the right place at the right time, you might be lucky enough to score an invite to one of these joyous Norwegian occasions. Helmets usually come with the equipment, but youll need to dress the part the warmer you are, the more youll be able to enjoy the chilly outdoors fun! Over 1,000 sq m offer not only gift shopping, but lots of tasty food options. But if youre looking for some real sledding adrenaline, youll want to check out Korketrekkeren, which means the corkscrew for some serious sledding fun. The shops usually close early so everyone can get home in time for a glorious dinner with loved ones and the exchanging of presents. The beautiful sounds, wonderful smells and delicious tastes of Christmas fill the museum. Also, take a look at the map suggesting the best accommodations nearby. Here you can shop for Christmas presents, ornaments, and taste traditional Norwegian food and drinks from the different stalls in the Christmas market. Join thousands of others and stay up to date with the our latest articles. The whole museum is decorated in line with different customs and eras so that you can experience everything from Christmas Eve in a rich merchants home from 1769, to Christmas celebrations in a family home from the countryside in 1959. If youre looking for something a little more active, why not take a few laps on the skating rink in the middle of Spikersuppa, or around on the Ferris wheel, where youll get beautiful views of Oslo city center. The holidays are just around the corner, and its time to choose the perfect spot for your Christmas stay or your New Year's festivities. If ballet isnt really your thing, there are always a range of concerts, performances and shows going on around Christmas. Its not a bad title for a country to have, and Norway certainly deserves it they have some of the most beautiful natural wonders in the world, easy access to education and a great healthcare system. Whether youre there for work, taking a trip with friends, on a romantic getaway or bringing the whole family, December in Oslo is an exciting time.
If youre travelling from Oslo, its about a two-hour flight. You are guaranteed an atmospheric Christmassy day! Oslo has a few different Christmas markets to check out, and it all depends on where youre staying or what sort of things youre looking to buy. Anything is possible, and you might get lucky, but Oslo certainly doesnt have guaranteed snow at this time of year. Whether youre helping some Norwegian friends with a Christmas dinner, or wondering what to look out for at the many restaurants, cafes and bakeries in Oslo, here are some Christmas-themed culinary recommendations: While Oslo is a great place to celebrate Christmas, you might be keen to do some trips to other places in Norway. For many families hell even knock on the front door and personally hand over the presents to the little ones. Sure, there are always spiritual undertones when it comes to Christmas, but the traditions and customs in Norway feel more like a coming together of community and family, rather than just religious protocol. December 23rd is known as Lille Julaften, which means Little Christmas Eve and its the perfect way to get the house ready for the next day. As well being as a regular contributor to Scandification, and co-owner, Stewart is a practising Nordophile. Looking for a bit of Christmas magic in the run-up to Christmas? About ten shops, several restaurants, and an art gallery are a beautiful extension to the largest indoor Christmas market in Norway. If youre looking for a cosy winter wonderland to spend the festive season, visiting Oslo in December is the perfect idea. Copenhagen red light district: Where is it, and is it safe? Christmas in Winterland (Jul i Vinterland) is the main Christmas market in Oslo, located in Spikersuppa, alongside Karl Johan street. When you look back through Norways history, youll notice that the darkest depths of winter have always been a time for feasting, drinking and celebrating, even before the modern version of Christmas came along. You can easily get here with public transport in just about 15 minutes from Spikersuppa and the National Theatre. A complete guide to Northern Europes furthest reaches, The essential guide to the best museums in Oslo, Sightseeing in Oslo: Your guide to the best tourist attractions in Oslo, Brunost cheese: Everything you wanted to know about Norwegian brown cheese, Drinking in Norway: Everything you need to know about alcohol in Norway, and the legal drinking age, Fun facts about Morten Harket: Get to know one of Norways greatest vocalists, Swedish drinking cultureand the legal drinking age in Sweden, Your essential guide to the Danish countryside: Things to do, places to see, and more, Beautiful Danish villages and pretty small towns in Denmark that you must visit this year, The best Scandinavian Christmas tree decorations and ornaments, Urbanears Jakan earphones review: Easy wireless listening, Urbanears Luma review: Modern wireless earbuds. Stay tuned and well bring the essence of Scandinavia to you. All of those things are koselig and for the Norwegians, this is what Christmas is all about.
Scandification 2022. Here are a few things you may wish to add to your itinerary: Christmas markets in Oslo are great if you want to buy things like traditional Oslo Christmas decorations, hand-made gifts and traditional Norwegian sweets. The literal translation of Julebord is christmas table but it usually refers to the annual office Christmas party. Sometimes they even have theatre showing in the street, and special Christmas activities for the kids. The stalls sell lots of Christmas decorations and handmade souvenirs. The Christmas market in the Youngstorget Square is also a good one, especially if its particularly cold out or raining, because everything is under cover. For the tickets and latest updates, please check with the official websites (see External Resources below.) Most workplaces (and even some social groups, schools and clubs) throw extravagant Christmas parties called the Julebord so restaurants and hotels will often fill up with these bookings. Ever since the end of the Second World War, Norway sends a Christmas Tree to the United Kingdom to be decorated and lit up in Londons Trafalgar Square. On December 13th, processions of children and young people carrying candles are held in recognition of St Lucia Day. A good place for this would be Troms, which is a city in the north of Norway. Some even believe it was Hans Christian Andersen who invented them. Which doesnt sound too bad, does it? If youre staying pretty central, we recommend the Christmas market in Spikersuppa, which isnt far from the Royal Palace. At the most festive time of year, everyone just wants to feel warm and fuzzy, and what better location to achieve this than in one of the worlds happiest places on Earth?
Its free entry if you bring your own ice-skates you can wander straight in or you can rent a pair from the kiosk. Its a Norwegian word and its hard to translate exactly, but it means something akin to cosy take a moment to imagine candles in a window, sitting by a warm fireplace, snuggling on a couch watching a Christmas movie. Stewart describes Copenhagen as a home-from-home, and enjoys immersing himself in the culture and vibe of this amazing city. Everyone knows weather can be variable, so its good to be prepared for anything, but generally, temperatures can roughly range from 5C to 2C. Twinkling lights adorn the trees, Christmas markets fill the streets, there is an undeniable buzz of optimism in the air and so many delicious Norwegian treats to tryseriously, we hope you like cookies, because the Norwegians certainly do. If the weather is not being friendly, visitors can move to an indoor Christmas market at Youngstorget (Julemarked p Youngstorget). Actually, one of our favourite December traditions is one they call syv slags kaker which is when they serve and eat seven different types of Christmas cookies. Its only about 40 minutes from the centre of Oslo and can be reached via car, bus or the subway. As with its Swedish neighbours its all about Christmas Eve in Norway this is the biggest part of the festive season and considered more important than Christmas Day. Norwegian stereotypes: What are Norwegian people like? You are guaranteed to find something for every taste. The festivities run all through December and holidays continue until the New Year. Alternatively, you might want to try out cross-country skiing, of which there are 2,600 kilometres (1,600 miles) of trails that flow through Oslos stunning forests. The ice-skating rink in the City Centre is a great place to relax and enjoy the fresh air. If youd like to see an amazing show, check out the Norwegian National Ballets annual performance of The Nutcracker, a beautiful Christmas classic. The days are shorter, but the festive lights, a cup of hot glgg and some holiday shopping, can really lift people's spirits. Scandic is the largest Nordic hotel operator with a network of about 280 hotels with 58,000 hotel rooms in operation and under development in six countries. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Scandification explores and celebrates the magic of Scandinavia.
Every year between Christmas and New Year, Norwegian children practice the tradition of Julebukking essentially, they dress up in Christmas-themed costumes and go door-to-door singing Christmas carols, receiving candy and treats in return. The day pays homage to the deeds of a Christian martyr, which is what the day is undoubtedly about. The magic doesn't end just there. Here you can find a summary of your selected hotels. If you don't mind driving about one hour from Oslo, go to Christmas market at Hadeland Glassverk. Children under 12 years get free entry! If youre looking for things to do in Oslo during the Christmas period, you wont be disappointed! There are lots of churches, halls and music venues around Oslo so keep your eyes and ears open for something you might be interested in. Helpful hint: if you want to make a toast or say cheers, just say Skl! before you drink. Yes, spending Christmas in Oslo is certainly a quieter time of year to visit, but its also a more magical time of year too. Its a key event in the Norwegian festive calendar and a warming presence at such a dark time of year. The market stalls are brimming with exciting items and traditional food. All Rights Reserved. Christmas is a special time in Oslo, where there is lots of snow and ideal Christmas weather in December. Its a beautiful sign of friendship and gratitude between the countries. document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Christmas in Oslo: Why its the ultimate winter escape. Sunrise is around 9-9:30am and sunset is around 3-3:30pm so youve only got about six hours of daylight. The course runs for about two kilometres and is best for adults and older children (little kids might find it too rough). Whether its in church, at home around the Christmas tree, or children singing songs to Santa before he continues on his way. Theres no doubt that Christmas breaks in Oslo are popular because there are some great things to see and do all across the city and in surrounding areas. If youre in a main city like Oslo, a lot of shops are back in action from around the 27th of December, but then again, some things might remain closed in the lead up to New Years Eve. Unlike some countries where Santa (Julenissen) leaves gifts out for children to find on the morning of Christmas Day, in Norway the bearded man makes his appearance on Christmas Eve. Experience the twilight hour with a dance around the Christmas tree. Theyre little baskets made of paper and shaped like a heart. Its literally a gingerbread recreation of the city made by local school and kindergarten students, and its amazingly vivid and detailed. Youll find roasted almonds, the traditional drink juleglogg, and tasty baked goods. Take a wander through the stalls and youll find the perfect types of gifts for filling Christmas stockings. A bit like Halloween. If youre looking for things to do in Oslo during this time, youll usually find that places like the Fram Museum, the Kon-Tiki Museum and the Holmenkollen Ski Museum are open most days of the holidays although its still always best to check before you visit! Most countries seem to have a Christmas decoration thats special to their people, and in Norway its undoubtedly the Julekurver. The lighting of candles at the darkest time of year is a beautiful way of keeping spirits up and remembering that the days will soon get longer again. But on a deeper level, we also think people are just looking for a truly Merry Christmas. To advertise your brand to a global audience, contact our advertising team below. The market is held in heated traditional lavvu tents.
Many households also light candles for each Sunday of advent they start with just one candle on the first Sunday and add one each week until on the final Sunday when all four candles burn together. But at Christmas time, the good vibes floating around come down to something a little more simple. While the biggest night of the Christmas season is over, there are new toys to be played with, delicious food leftovers to be eaten and family to spend time with. I consent to the privacy policy and terms and conditions. If youd like to have a go at skiing or snowboarding, you should check out the Oslo Winter Park. So you never know, if youre visiting friends in Oslo they might be generous enough to hold a Julebord so you can experience it yourself. If you get cold, warm yourself up in Santas glogg house, or in front of the bonfire with something warm in your cup. This plate is excellent for Christmas gift shopping and experiencing Norwegian holiday coziness. Some groups of friends and social clubs also hold a Julebord, and even the schools hold their own child-friendly version of the traditional Christmas party, which they call a Nissefest.