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When do Norway’s Christmas markets open?

The holiday season is fast approaching, meaning it may be time to head to Christmas markets for a dose of cosiness and early festive cheer. But when do Norway's 'julemarkeder' open this year?

Published: 23 November 2022 12:02 CET

Herer are when some of Norway's top Christmas markets open this year. Pictured is a Christmas market. Photo by cmophoto.net on Unsplash

For many, Christmas markets are a quintessential part of the festive season. While some will count down the days till they can put up the tree or schedule their out-of-office email- many are waiting for Christmas markets to start popping up around the country.

Do you have a festive favourite that we’ve missed? Get in touch and let us know.

Jul i Vinterland, Spikersuppa, Oslo- November 12th

Located bang in the heart of Oslo, surrounding the Spikersuppa skating rink, near Oslo’s main shopping street, Karl Johan Street, is Jul I Vinterland.

If you are planning a trip to Oslo soon, you can combine this one with plenty of sightseeing.

As you may have noticed, if you live in Oslo, it’s already open to the public and will receive visitors until the New Year.

Bergen Christmas Market- November 25th

Opening in late November is Bergen’s Christmas market, which moved to a new, more central location last year.

Located in Festplassen, the market will boast handmade or homemade gifts from local merchants.

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If you are in Bergen before the market opens, you can visit the world’s largest gingerbread village instead.

There is an indoor heated area for those who want to fight off the chills after a trip on the Ferris wheel.

Norwegian Museum of Cultural History’s annual Christmas fair- two weekends in December

If you want to take a trip through history in addition to getting into the festive spirit, then look no further than the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History’s Christmas market.

The first two weekends in December (3rd-4th & 10th to 11th) will be your only chance to catch the market with a historical twist.

In addition to the Christmas market, there’ll be a number of exhibitions and Norwegian traditions on display.

You will need to book tickets to enter the museum and head to the Christmas market, though. Tickets start at 140 kroner for adults- kids go free.

Kristiansand- 26th November

The Christmas market in Kristiansand, southern Norway, takes inspiration from European Christmas markets.

The town’s Christmas lights are up, but the official opening of the Christmas market is on Saturday, November 26th.

You’ll also be able to test your skills in the nearby ice rink and give kakemann, a traditional local Christmas cookie, a go.

Julebyen Egersund- December 1st

Not too far from Stavanger, Egersund has long been one of Norway’s favourite Christmas destinations.

The Christmas market in Egersund takes inspiration from British and German markets. Between December 1st and December 11th, the town centre will be transformed into a Christmas town.

The Christmas town offers several performances, concerts and stalls to check out.

Hadeland Glassverk- November 28th

Not your typical Christmas market experience. Need proof? Try your hand at glass blowing to create your own Christmas baubles.

The activities at Hadeland include Norway’s largest indoor Christmas market and ten other shops, five restaurants and an art gallery.

Christmas in Viken, Lillestrøm- November 28th

One of the country’s more recent Christmas markets makes up in activities what it lacks in heritage.

With over 30 planned activities, there’ll be something for everyone when it opens. Tickets can be purchased online.

Christmas Market in Trondheim- December 1st

Trondheim’s main Christmas market has grown from its humble beginnings when it launched with five stalls in 2005.

At the centre of the market will be several large Lavvu, traditional dwellings of the Sami people, with room for 500 people.

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You can expect plenty of local produce and local artists and bands performing.

Tromsø Christmas Town- November 17th

Located in the north is Tromsø, which transformed part of town into a Christmas village on November 17th. The Christmas market will remain open until December 31st.

The Christmas town will boast a Ferris wheel and ice rink.

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A weekend in Bergen: Everything you should see and do

Bergen, is one of Norway’s most powerful tourist magnets – and with good reason. With a mix of its vibrant city, rich culture and history, and ample nature, it has something for everything.

It’s proximity to Norway’s most picturesque fjords also makes it a great starting point for cruises.

While navigating the city’s many attractions can be daunting, fear not!

Day 1: Making the most out of the city centre

The city’s most prominent attractions are generally located centrally, so it’s a great use of your time to spend an entire day making sure you don’t miss any of the key landmarks and experiences that you’ll find in the very heart of the city.

From Bergen’s main square, Torgallmenningen, head towards the harbour just a couple of minutes away on foot.

Fish Market

The Bergen Fish Market showcases some of the fresh and high quality local seafood. Photo by: Robin-Ivan Capar / The Local Norway

The (expensive but popular) fish market

You’ll quickly glimpse the city’s famous fish market as you approach the waterfront. Depending on the season, you’ll also have the opportunity to explore its outdoor iteration.

The indoor fish market is one of Bergen’s biggest tourist draws, as it’s the place where you’ll be able to see – and sample – a fantastic selection of fish and Norwegian seafood.

Be warned, though – it is quite expensive and has a reputation for being somewhat of a tourist trap.

Bryggen, a UNESCO-protected Heritage Site

Once you’re done admiring the deep sea fish, lobsters, and king crabs, it’s time to head to Bergen’s most famous spot – the UNESCO-protected Heritage Site of Bryggen, widely known for its picturesque and colourful wooden buildings.

If you’ve got some spare time, consider fitting in a 2-3 hour fjord cruise while you’re down at the harbour. You’ll find the ships docking and departing right from there.

Dating back to the Middle Ages, Bryggen served as a hub for the Hanseatic League’s trading activities, particularly in the export of dried fish and stockfish.

These days, Bryggen is mainly home to museums, souvenir shops, galleries, bars, and restaurants.

And make sure to wander through Bryggen’s charming narrow wooden alleys – they’re like stepping into another time.

Souvenirs

The souvenirs on offer in one of Bryggen’s many shops. Photo by Stock Birken on Unsplash

The majestic Bergenhus Fortress complex

From the very end of Bryggen, you’ll already be able to see the Bergenhus Fortress complex.

The fortress is one of Norway’s oldest and most well-preserved strongholds, with a complex history as a royal residence and military stronghold.

The construction of Bergenhus Fortress began in the early 1500s and continued through the 1600s.

Originally consisting of Holmen, Koengen, and Sverresborg, the central area of the fortress was consolidated into a single expansive military fortification during the 1700s.

The ramparts across Koengen, connecting Holmen and Sverresborg, were dismantled in the early 1800s.

Much of the fortress grounds are open to the public and used for various purposes, including events, theatre performances, concerts, and cultural gatherings.

Bergenhus Fortress

Access to the Bergenhus Fortress complex is free of charge. Photo by: Robin-Ivan Capar / The Local Norway

Fløyen: Bergen’s city mountain

After exploring the Bergenhus Fortress, head down to Bryggen and go to the Fløyen funicular.

Fløyen is often called Bergen’s city mountain, and it’s easily accessible from the Old Town both on foot and by funicular.

It offers stunning panoramic views of the city and surrounding fjords and is among the most popular destinations for most people on a city break to Bergen.

The Fløyen funicular, known as Fløibanen, transports passengers from the centre to the summit of Fløyen in just around eight minutes (once you board it).

Once at the top, explore one of the several walking trails, admire the view, and relax in one of the several cafes.

Signpost Floyen

The signpost at the top of Mount Fløyen. Photo by Luah Jun Yang on Unsplash

Dinner at a waterfront restaurant

After you descend the mountain, we recommend ending the day with dinner in one of the several mid to high-end restaurants close to Bryggen.

While there are many great options, the Bryggeloftet & Stuene restaurant is a safe bet if you want to try traditional food, while Enhjørningen is the place to go if you want to indulge in seafood dishes.

If you’re travelling on a budget, consider trying the pizza at Olivia Zachariasbryggen or head to the nearby Skostredet district, where you’ll find multiple restaurants and bistros (including a pizzeria, trattoria, taperia, brasserie, and more) and a very lively atmosphere on most evenings.

Day 2: A healthy dose of curiosity and culture

Start your second day in Bergen with a hearty dose of culture and visit the famous KODE museum’s galleries.

KODE: Bergen’s premier cultural institution

Just a few minutes of walking from the Bergen train station and the bus station, the KODE museum buildings are virtually impossible to miss, lined along Lille Lungegårdsvannet – a small lake in the city centre.

While even a whole day is not enough to fully appreciate KODE’s vast collections – the museum is spread out through seven buildings, housing more than 50,000 items – it’s well worth seeing at least one exhibition while you’re in town.

Visit Nordnes Park, and Norway’s largest aquarium

Nordnes Park, located on the edge of Bergen’s harbour, is a great place to enjoy those (rare) sunny days in Bergen.

It offers waterfront views, and if the sun is out, it will buzz with great energy and people picnicking in the sun, reading books, barbequing, and relaxing.

You can reach it on foot in 10-15 minutes from Torgallmenningen. It’s also located close to the city’s aquarium (Akvariet i Bergen).

Outland: The go-to spot for fantasy and game enthusiasts

After (hopefully) soaking up the sun at Nordnes and checking out Bergen’s famous penguins at the aquarium, why not make your way towards Outland, Bergen’s biggest fantasy and board game shop?

Outland recently moved into a new venue just across the street from the fish market and now offers an even larger display of books, comics, board games, card games, anime merchandise, figurines, and much more.

If you’re a Dungeons & Dragons or card game enthusiast, you might even get a chance to sit down and join one of the frequent tournaments and get-togethers that Outland organizes.

In any case, it’s a great place to visit if you’re travelling with kids.

Whale hall

The ceiling of the Whale Hall at the Bergen University Museum. Photo by: Robin-Ivan Capar / The Local Norway

A visit to the Whale Hall at Bergen’s University Museum

Another must-see item on a well-rounded 48-hour trip to Bergen bucket list includes a trip to the University Museum.

The museum’s whale skeleton collection, housed in a spacious hall covering approximately 300 square meters, is an awe-inducing sight that leaves a lasting impression on visitors.

The display showcases the skeletal remains of various whale species. Eleven of the skeletons exceed 5 meters in length, with the largest specimen being a 24-metre-long blue whale.

As you wander through the exhibit, you’ll be part of a truly immersive experience that highlights the importance of marine conservation.

The museum’s Whale Hall alone justifies the ticket price of 150 kroner, and there is much more to see while you’re there.

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