– which christmas markets you should visit, what you should buy and how to get there
Experience the magical Christmas atmosphere in Oslo
December in Oslo is a time filled with light, coziness and a wonderful Christmas atmosphere. The city’s streets sparkle with Christmas lights that illuminate the darkness, and if we are lucky, snow falls and covers the city like a white carpet.
Here, the scent of mulled wine, roasted almonds and freshly baked gingerbread mingle with the sound of Christmas carols and children’s laughter from ice rinks and carousels.
In the middle of this winter adventure, we find a number of Christmas markets that offer everything from handmade gifts to delicious food experiences.
Let’s take a closer look at some of Oslo’s most popular Christmas markets!
Which of the Christmas markets in Oslo are worth a visit?
The Christmas market on the ship S/S Helena in front of the City Hall
This year we invite you to a unique Christmas market on board our historic ship, S/S Helena. This is an initiative where we want to give something back to the local community by supporting local artists and craftsmen. We offer them free premises and a fantastic opportunity to present and sell their products to our guests. They keep all the profits themselves.
Here you can experience real craftsmanship, from home-knitted products, to handmade jewelry and Christmas decorations, all while enjoying the maritime atmosphere on board our ship.
Take the trip and be part of an experience that combines Christmas spirit, local art and a good cause!
We can also tempt you with hot chocolate, waffles, and Norwegian rice porridge.
Location: Rådhusbrygge 3 (in front of the City Hall in the center of Oslo)
Date: December 13 and December 14 2024
«Jul i Vinterland» (Christmas in Winter wonderland) at Spikersuppa
Jul i Vinterland, located in the heart of Spikersuppa, is perhaps Oslo’s most famous Christmas market. Here you can wander among stalls selling everything from handicrafts to tasty delicacies.
Children will love the magical Ferris wheel, which provides a fantastic view of the Christmas lights in the center of Oslo.
With the ice rink in the middle of the market, this is the place where both young and old can find the real Christmas spirit.
Location: Spikersuppa in the center of Oslo
Date: From November 9 to December 31 (NB: closed December 24)
Christmas market at Youngstorget
Youngstorget is transformed into a cozy Christmas village with a unique, urban charm. The market focuses on locally produced goods and sustainable products, so here you can find special gifts that also support small, Norwegian producers.
With Christmas lights, bonfires and a wide selection of food stalls, this Christmas market is perfect for an outdoor dinner or a cozy and relaxed evening with friends or family.
Location: Youngstorget in the center of Oslo
Date: From December 1 to December 22
Christmas market at Bygdøy
Photo credit: norskfolkemuseum.no
The Christmas market at Bygdøy is an atmospheric and traditional experience that takes place at the Norwegian Folk Museum. This market provides a unique opportunity to experience Norwegian Christmas traditions in historic surroundings. Here you can stroll through the museum’s authentic farmyard and houses from different eras, decorated for Christmas as it was done in the old days.
The market has a wide selection of stalls offering everything from handmade crafts and Christmas decorations to Norwegian delicacies such as flatbread, honey and Christmas baking. There are also many activities for the whole family, including horse riding, Christmas workshops and entertainment on the museum’s main stage.
A highlight is the opportunity to see how Christmas was celebrated in Norway in the past, with live presentations from museum staff. For children, popular activities are caroling, horse riding, gingerbread baking and candle casting.
The Christmas market at Bygdøy is a perfect combination of history, tradition and Christmas spirit, and is a popular destination for both locals and tourists who want to experience a real Norwegian Christmas!
Location: Norwegian Folk Museum at Bygdøy
Date: November 30 to December 1 & December 7 to December 8
What should I buy at the Christmas markets in Oslo?
An important part of the Christmas markets in Oslo is the tasty food experiences. Don’t miss out on classic Norwegian Christmas favorites like «gløgg» (mulled wine), «vafler» (waffles), «lefser» (sweet bread), and «spekemat» (cured meats).
«Smultringer» (donuts) are also very popular, and are served freshly made to customers. Some of the Christmas markets, such as S/S Helena in front of the City Hall, also offer Norwegian Christmas porridge made from rice flour. This is a dish that all Norwegians eat during Christmas, and something you should definitely try!
Many of the markets also offer unique products that you can take home, such as homemade chocolate, wreath cake, honey, and crafts such as knitted garments and wooden products – perfect gifts for yourself or your loved ones!
Whether you want to buy gifts, enjoy good food, or just soak up the Christmas spirit, the Christmas markets in Oslo offer something for everyone. Put on your woolen scarf, gather friends and family, and let Oslo’s magical Christmas markets brighten up your winter days!
How do I get to the Christmas markets in Oslo?
Most of the Christmas markets are located in the center of Oslo, and can be combined if you want a full day of Christmas spirit. They can be visited on foot.
We recommend starting at Youngstorget. Set aside an hour to visit the stalls and maybe have a bite to eat if you are hungry. Then you can go to Spikersuppa, which is a 20-minute walk from Youngstorget. It might also be a good idea to set aside an hour there (especially if you have children who might want to go ice skating, which can be rented on site, or try the Ferris wheel).
After visiting the Christmas market at Spikersuppa, you can walk to us at Rådhusbrygge 3 in front of the City Hall in Oslo, which takes about 15 minutes. We have a Christmas market on board the boat, and you can join a tour that combines sightseeing and the Christmas market on the Oslofjord for NOK 459 (we also have a free market that you can read more about below).
While you look at the stalls on board, you will get information about the islands in the Oslofjord and the historical places we pass along the way. The boat trip takes two hours. The boat stops at Bygdøy, where you can take the bus to the Christmas market at the Norwegian Folk Museum on Bygdøy. The bus is called “Bygdøy” and takes a few minutes to the stop “Langvik”. From Langvik you can walk for about 10 minutes (750 meters) to the museum. If you want to walk the whole way, it takes 20-25 minutes (1,5 kilometers).
If you don’t want to join the boat trip, the S/S Helena has a free Christmas market and open boat from 15:30-17:30 both days. Then you can visit the Christmas stalls and eat something good on board the boat while it is docked.
A day full of Christmas spirit, or maybe just a few hours?
By combining the Christmas markets in the center of Oslo with the Christmas market on Bygdøy, you get a full day of experiences and Christmas spirit! If you don’t have a whole day, we can, for example, recommend a visit to the Christmas market at Youngstorget, “Jul i Vinterland» at Spikersuppa, and then the stalls on the Christmas ship S/S Helena in front of the City Hall.
No matter which Christmas markets you choose to visit, Oslo in December is guaranteed to give you the perfect combination of magical atmosphere, great flavors and unique experiences.
Take time to enjoy the sparkling city, support local artists and producers, and find the perfect gifts for your loved ones – or maybe something special for yourself.
Welcome to a Christmas experience you won’t soon forget!
Read more about our Christmas market on Facebook here:
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