Guest Favourite
Bergen – Kirkenes – Bergen (Roundtrip)
The Coastal Express
The original Norwegian coastal voyage – connecting fjords, towns & people since 1893
- Regular departures
- 12 days
- 34 Ports
- Full board (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Christmas in Norway – Cruises, Markets & Traditions
Winter is always a special time of year in Norway, but you’ll find it especially magical around Christmas and New Year.
Norway at Christmas is unlike anywhere else. Snow-dusted mountains and markets. Crisp air that clouds from your mouth. Twinkling lights along the shoreline. And if you’re lucky, a festive display from the Northern Lights.
Our expert guide will help you explore Norway’s festive experiences, plan your trip and choose the right cruise for you along the coast this December.
The best things to do in Norway at Christmas
Explore Norway’s Christmas markets
Step into streets lined with lights, browse stalls full of crafts, and breathe in the scent of mulled wine and gingerbread. Norway’s Christmas markets are small but full of heart.
Visit Pepperkakebyen – The Gingerbread City
In Bergen at Christmas, the world’s largest gingerbread town comes to life every year. Tiny houses, trains and figures – all made of gingerbread. It’s a storybook for all ages.
A coastal Christmas cruise
A cruise along Norway’s coast offers a different kind of Christmas experience. And on board Hurtigruten, you’ll enjoy a festive atmosphere complete with carol singing, traditional Christmas food and plenty of gløgg (mulled wine).
See the Northern Lights at Christmas
December is prime time for spotting the Northern Lights along the Norwegian coast, especially above the Arctic Circle. And there’s no better way to experience the world's greatest lightshow than from the deck of a Hurtigruten ship.
Enjoy festive food & flavours
Christmas in Norway is about what’s on the table. From ribbe (roast pork ribs) to lutefisk (stockfish cured in lye) and cloudberry cream for dessert, meals are hearty and full of love. Every bite carries tradition.
Watch: A glimpse of Christmas in Norway with Hurtigruten
Through winter markets, exploration in the snow, and seasonal dining, make the most of the festive season in Norway on a cruise with us.
Which Hurtigruten Christmas cruises are available to book?
DEPARTING ON 17 DECEMBER 2027
The North Cape Line Special Christmas Voyage
Celebrate the festive season on a one-off Signature voyage from Oslo to the Arctic Circle, then down to Copenhagen. Enjoy all-inclusive dining, cosy onboard traditions, and magical winter scenery beneath the Northern Lights.
Departing in December 2026
The North Cape Line from Oslo
An all-inclusive voyage onboard MS Trollfjord from Oslo to the North Cape, travelling through snowy fjords with chances to see the Northern Lights and visit remote Arctic towns.
Departing in December 2026 and 2027
The Coastal Express
A 12-day roundtrip from Bergen to Kirkenes and back, offering a classic journey along Norway’s coast through fjords, fishing villages and Arctic scenery with 34 ports of call.
Christmas cruises in Norway with Hurtigruten
We Recommend
Oslo - Honningsvåg - Oslo (Roundtrip)
The North Cape Line
All-inclusive winter cruise to Norway’s North Cape, chasing the Northern Lights
- September 2026 - December 2027
- 15 days
- 13 Ports
- All meals & unlimited selected drinks
Oslo – Tromsø (Northbound)
The North Cape Line - North
All-inclusive Arctic cruise north along the Norwegian coast, with fjords & aurora views
- September 2026 - December 2027
- 7 days
- 7 Ports
- All meals & unlimited selected drinks
Tromsø – Oslo (Southbound)
The North Cape Line - South
All-inclusive cruise south from Arctic Norway in winter, under the glow of the aurora
- October 2026 - December 2027
- 9 days
- 8 Ports
- All meals & unlimited selected drinks
Planning your Christmas trip to Norway
Weather & Daylight
Norway at Christmas is cold. Snow is common along the coast and inland. Polar Night sets in above the Arctic Circle, cloaking northern Norway in total darkness.
Clothing & Packing Tips
Layer up. Bring a warm coat, hat, gloves and waterproof boots. Evenings can be bitterly cold, but onboard and in town, warmth is easy to find.
Travel to Norway
There are direct flights to Oslo, Bergen, Trondheim and Tromsø - all starting points for Christmas cruises with Hurtigruten.
Christmas in Norway: FAQs
When is Christmas celebrated in Norway?
Here in Norway, we celebrate Christmas from 24 to 26 December. But unlike in other parts of the world, our main celebration is on Christmas Eve (24 December), when we enjoy family gatherings, gift-giving and a traditional Christmas dinner.
Where is the best place to spend Christmas in Norway?
Bergen and Oslo are popular for markets and city traditions. Tromsø, the Lofoten Islands and northern towns above the Arctic Circle are best for Northern Lights and snow. But a coastal cruise with Hurtigruten lets you see a little of everything.
What food do Norwegians eat at Christmas?
Christmas meals feature ribbe (roast pork), pinnekjøtt (lamb ribs) and lutefisk (stockfish cured in lye), accompanied by boiled potatoes and seasonal vegetables. Traditional desserts include multekrem (cloudberry cream), seven types of Christmas cookies, and plenty of gingerbread.
Can I see the Northern Lights on a Christmas cruise?
Yes! The long, dark nights of December are perfect for Northern Lights sightings, especially above the Arctic Circle.
Do restaurants and shops stay open in Norway at Christmas?
By law, shops must close no later than 4pm on Christmas Eve, and must remain closed until 26 December. Markets and attractions reopen between Christmas and New Year.
More on Christmas in Norway
9 magical Christmas traditions and experiences in Norway
Christmastime in Norway is pure magic. Open fires, snowy landscapes, foods that warm the soul, distinctive traditions: it has all the ingredients for a fairy-tale Christmas.
5 of the best Christmas markets along Norway’s coast
As winter deepens and the skies carry the promise of snow, Norway’s coast comes alive with Christmas markets.
Christmas cruises with Hurtigruten
Set sail on a Christmas or New Year voyage with us along the Norwegian coast as it sparkles with seasonal magic.
The story behind Pepperkakebyen
To the rest of the world, Pepperkakebyen is the world’s largest gingerbread town. To the people of Bergen, Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without it.