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.
When are Hurtigruten's Christmas sailing dates?
Departures between 15 - 24 December 2025
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.
Departing on 19 December 2025
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 on 12 & 26 December 2025
The North Cape Line from Hamburg
A 15-day winter cruise on MS Finnmarken starting and ending in Hamburg, blending a visit to the North Cape with stunning coastal vistas, snowy landscapes and rich Arctic experiences.
Christmas cruises in Norway with Hurtigruten
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
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.
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.
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.
Yes! The long, dark nights of December are perfect for Northern Lights sightings, especially above the Arctic Circle.
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.