Winter in Oslo might be chilly, but it’s also a magical time filled with festive cheer and a host of delightful activities. If you’re planning a visit in December, here’s your ultimate guide to embracing the winter wonderland that is Oslo. Even though the nice activities might keep you warm, you should definitely bring your warm clothes as you travel to Norway in December.

Oslo in December – What to do?

1. Embrace the Christmas Spirit at Markets

Get Festive at Christmas Markets: Oslo in December is adorned with charming Christmas markets that pop up around the city. From traditional Norwegian handicrafts to delicious seasonal treats, these markets offer a unique cultural experience. The markets at Spikersuppa and around the Oslo City Hall are a must-visit. Feel the jolly vibes, sip on some warm gløgg (mulled wine), and pick up unique gifts for your loved ones.

christmas in oslo in december — **Source**. Norsk Folkemuseum (where they have a fantastic Christmas market in December)

2. Explore Winter Activities

Try Ice Skating: Lace up your skates and glide across the ice at one of Oslo’s many outdoor ice rinks. Whether you’re a pro or a newbie, it’s a fun activity for all. The rinks at Spikersuppa and Frogner Stadion are popular choices and provide a delightful experience amidst the snowy landscapes.

Cross-Country Skiing or Tobogganing: Oslo’s surroundings offer excellent opportunities for winter sports. Try cross-country skiing in Nordmarka, the vast forest area accessible by the city’s metro. Alternatively, opt for tobogganing at Korketrekkeren for an exhilarating ride down the slopes.

3. Enjoy Cultural Delights

Visit Museums and Galleries: Beat the cold by diving into Oslo’s vibrant cultural scene. Warm up in the city’s museums and galleries. The Viking Ship Museum, Munch Museum, and the National Gallery are perfect spots to explore Norway’s rich history and art.

Attend Winter Performances: December in Oslo also offers a range of musical concerts, theatre performances, and ballet shows, especially around the holiday season. Check out what’s on at the Oslo Opera House or other theaters for a delightful cultural experience.

4. Indulge in Norwegian Cuisine

Savor Traditional Norwegian Dishes: Warm up with delicious Norwegian comfort food. Try classic dishes like fårikål (lamb and cabbage stew) or riskrem (a traditional rice pudding dessert). Indulge in hearty meals at local restaurants to experience authentic Norwegian flavors.

5. Witness the New Year’s Eve Spectacular

Celebrate New Year’s Eve in Style: December closes with a bang in Oslo. Join the celebrations at Karl Johans Gate or head to Ekeberg for a spectacular view of the fireworks lighting up the city skyline. Join in the lively atmosphere as locals and visitors welcome the new year with excitement and joy.

Are you ready to visit Oslo in December?

December in Oslo is a unique and delightful experience, offering a blend of festive celebrations, cultural indulgences, and exciting outdoor activities. Embrace the wintry magic, create unforgettable memories, and savor the charm of this Scandinavian gem as it sparkles under a blanket of snow. Oslo in December is an experience not to be missed!

Oslo has a fantastic Christmas market located along Karl Johans Avenue, close to the castle. This is the natural place to go if you want to do some shopping, eat some snacks, enjoy the traditional Ferris Wheel, listen to Christmas music, or do other Christmas activities.

The Christmas market in Oslo is very much like a little amusement park, while also being a traditional Christmas market. Every year a big Ferris Wheel is raised for the Christmas market, but there are also other great activities such as a Merry-go-round, a cool slide (korketrekkern), beautiful lights, and much more.

At the Christmas market, you can also eat traditional Norwegian food (typical for markets such as the Christmas market). Of course, the food of other cultures very much influences Norwegian food, so you will probably get closer to a Greek kebab than a traditional Norwegian fish meal, but look around and enjoy the grilled meat, raclette, hamburgers, and other things on the menu.

As always, you should never visit a Christmas market without drinking spicy wine, also known as mulled wine or glühwein (gløgg).

There is a stage at the Christmas market. There will be concerts there with famous artists, story-telling, and other programs. Most of them are somewhat directed towards children, but there are concerts with more artists loved but adults as well.

Christmas Markets Oslo 2023

Dates: November 11 – December 31
Location: Spikersuppa (between the Parliament and the Royal Castle)

When do the Christmas markets open and close?

The stalls at the Christmas market in Oslo normally open at 12.00 on weekdays and 10.00 on Saturdays and Sundays. The Christmas market is open until 20.00 on most days but until 21.00 on Fridays and Saturdays.

The market is entirely closed on December 24.

Are there any good hotels or apartments near the Christmas market?

The Christmas market is in the very center of Oslo. As a result, if you book a hotel or an apartment close to the Christmas market, you will also have a wonderful location for discovering the city. Below you can see a map showing hotels and other accommodation options close to the Christmas market.

You can see price estimations by looking at the map above. This makes it easier to find a hotel or an apartment close to the Christmas market in Oslo that doesn’t cost much more than you are capable of paying. Do not forget, if you spend less on accommodation, you can spend more at buying hot wine, and sausages, and enjoy the fun activities at the Christmas market.

Is this a popular Christmas market?

The Christmas market in Spikersuppa in Oslo is visited by approximately 3,000,000 visitors in a year. In other words, it is a very popular event that attracts people from all across Norway, and also lots of tourists from abroad.

Are there any other events, concerts, or things worth checking out in Oslo during the period of the Christmas market?

Oslo is a European capital, meaning there are always concerts and things happening in the city. There are also several awesome museums in Oslo with permanent exhibitions you should check out, like the National Museum and the Munch Museum. You can also read more about what’s happening in Oslo in our Oslo calendar.

How can I travel to the Christmas market from the airport?

If you come to Oslo Gardermoen, it is extremely easy to visit the Christmas market. Why is that? Almost all the trains leaving from Oslo Airport Gardermoen (including the express train) stop at the station named Nationaltheateret. If you leave the train there, you will be next to the Christmas market at once. Be aware that most trains stop at Oslo S (Oslo Sentral Station) before arriving at the stop named Nationaltheateret. If you get of at the central station, you will have to walk about 20-25 minutes before you reach the Christmas market.

Are there any other Christmas markets in Oslo worth visiting?

The Christmas market at Spikersuppa is the number one Christmas market in Oslo. But, there are some smaller markets open for one day here and there, and there are some open for a couple or days or more.

Christmas market by Norsk Folkemuseum (December 2-3, 11:00-16:00 & December 9-10)

This is a market open for four days in total. You need to pay the entrance fee to the museum to visit the market, but it is a very authentic market displaying traditional Norwegian buildings illuminated with Christmas lights. It is also a great place to taste traditional Norwegian food, listen to Norwegian Christmas music, and listen to Norwegian Christmas tales. There are special programs for children including pony-riding and other nice activities.

You can read more about this Christmas market at https://norskfolkemuseum.no/julemarked

Christmas market at Bærums Verk (November 25 – December 21)

This is a market normally which is very nice to visit. Before Christmas, they add the Christmas lights, music, and atmosphere, and suddenly you are looking at a Christmas market. There are lots of delightful programs for children including riding a sleigh, glass-blowing, and more. These programs are only on dedicated days, so plan your trip carefully and register for the events if that is something you want to try.

If you want to get to this Christmas market, use bus 150 from Oslo Bussterminal and leave the bus at the stop Bærums Verk.

You can find more information about the market at https://www.baerumsverk.no/.

We wish you a Merry Christmas and hope you will enjoy your trip to Oslo. If you have further comments or questions, please use the comment field below.

Tag: Christmas markets

Oslo in December: A Winter Wonderland Awaits!