Visiting Norway for Christmas is becoming increasingly popular, but there are a few things I find that travelers to Norway aren’t aware of. I have come across many people asking questions about traveling to Norway in December, both face to face and in my Facebook group.
As you know, I love celebrating Christmas here in Norway, and honestly wouldn’t mind if the holiday lasted 3 months every year. I have written extensively about Norwegian Christmas traditions before, but never about visiting Norway for Christmas.
Therefore, I decided to write this post to help those of you that are hoping to visit Norway during the holidays. There are a few very important things you need to be aware of, to make sure you have an enjoyable trip.
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5 Things you Need to Know before Visiting Norway for Christmas
As mentioned, I have come across too many travelers thinking that visiting Norway during the holidays is no different from visiting in January of February. Unfortunately, they are left disappointed due to lack of preparation.
Or lack of knowledge, depending on how you see it.
I remember back when I used to work at the ticket office in Flåm, I would meet desperate tourists who hadn’t eaten all day on Christmas day because the restaurants, grocery store and hotels in Flåm were closed.
This was always so sad to see, and it happened every single year. A lot of travelers assume that because it’s a national holiday, Norwegians are out and about doing activities, and that all the activities are open and welcoming.
In fact, the opposite is true, as you will learn from reading this post!
Below I have listed the most important things I think any traveller to Norway needs to know about visiting during the holiday.
#1 We Celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve
Norwegian Christmas celebrations are unique in comparison to many other countries. While many countries celebrate the festivities of Christmas on Christmas Day (the 25th of December), Norwegians celebrate on the 24th.
This means that from the 23rd of December until the 26th, many Norwegians tend to stay inside with their families, and you won’t see us out and about.
What this means for those traveling to Norway for Christmas is that already on the 24th you’ll find that there aren’t many people in the streets, and stores and activities tend to be closed.
(I’ve covered opening hours more detailed below.)
If you are planning a trip to Norway and you have rented an Airbnb or cabin with your own kitchen, make sure to get all your shopping done before the 24th.
On the 24th, most grocery stores are only open until noon (as it is considered a holiday in the afternoon and evening). Then they close until the 27th of December (the 3rd day of Christmas).
#2 Norwegian “Red Days” (aka Everything is Closed)
As mentioned, grocery stores (and other stores) stay closed on the 25th and 26th of December. Both of these days are what we call “Red Days” on the Norwegian calendar, and Christmas Eve is what we call a “Half Red Day”.
This can sound confusing to visitors, but is actually pretty simple. The rules are as follows:
- Red Day = National Holiday, such as Christmas Day, New Year’s Day and Easter Day (all stores are closed on Red Days)
- Half Red Day = National Holiday from 5pm, such as Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve (grocery stores often close at noon, but can stay open until 2-3pm in some places – other shops, such as clothing shops and malls, are closed completely)
What this means for travelers to Norway during the Christmas break is that grocery stores and other shops are closed for several days. Make sure to stock up on food and other items you might need during these days.
Restaurant Opening Hours During Christmas in Norway
Restaurants are also mainly closed during the Christmas days (this is what we call the days from the 23rd of December to the 27th-28th).
If you are visiting the major cities, such as Oslo or Bergen, you’ll find that some restaurants have limited opening hours on the 23rd and 27th of December, but close on the 24th and 25th.
Some restaurants in Bergen are even open on the 24th, but only if they receive advanced bookings. I speak more on this below, but as a general rule; ALWAYS book everything in advance when traveling to Norway for Christmas.
This actually goes for visiting Norway in December in general. We take our Christmas parties very seriously, and restaurants can be booked up over a year in advance during weekends in December!
#3 Limited Daylight Hours
Another thing that you need to know if you are coming here during Christmas is that it is literally the darkest time of the year.
Even in the south, we only have a few hours of daylight at the end of December. So, if you are hoping to do any kind of exploring while you’re here, make sure it’s between the hours of 10 and 2.
If you are visiting Tromsø, Lofoten or another destination up north, you’ll have hardly any daylight at all. Therefore, make sure to time your activities and tours to make the most of it.
The only reason to be happy about the darkness is if you are hoping to see the Northern Lights whilst here. Christmas is amongst the best time of year to see them. However, you still want to make the most of what little daylight there is (like a true Norwegian).
#4 Booking Tours & Accommodation for Christmas
Now you’ve learned that due to the fact that we celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve, and because of the “red days” during the holidays here, most shops and activities are closed during Christmas.
As a result, tours run on a very small capacity, and some barely at all. Therefore, you have to book everything in advance to guarantee that you get to do it.
Some tours will give their staff the day off if there are no bookings at least 3 weeks before, and then stay closed on the day. So, if you want to do a tour during your Christmas trip, book it as early as possible. This ensures that the tours run and that the company running it knows that someone is coming.
This not only goes for tours, but also for hotels. Many hotels in rural Norway (such as by the fjords) close down completely for the Christmas holiday. Unless they get bookings. So, book your hotel as early as you can.
As with restaurants, this is more important if you are visiting rural areas, such as the fjords. If you are planning on going to a city, you’ll find more options for tours even for Christmas (such as these fjord cruises from Bergen or these dog sledding tours in Tromsø).
Even so, always book your hotel, tours and dinners in advance when visiting Norway for the holidays.
Side note: I say “holidays”, because a lot of this is also true for Easter.
#5 Norwegians Stick to Themselves
Last but not least, us Norwegians can seem like an unfriendly lot. We tend to stick to ourselves, and we aren’t overly social with strangers.
This especially becomes clear during Christmas, when all we want to do is spend time with our families and stay inside. One of the most funny things about Norwegians is how seriously we take our indoor cozy time (you’ve heard of “hygge”, right?), and at Christmas it is especially clear.
So, you might not only find that there are few people out and about during the holidays, but also that if you meet someone we aren’t open to stopping for a chat. We don’t care that you’ve travelled far or that you have (stupid) questions, we just care about getting home to our fireplace.
Just know that this is not intended to be rude, it’s just a cultural thing. We’ve come a far way from the days when the famous Vikings worshipped Norse goddesses and gods, but we haven’t changed our nature.
So Why Visit Norway for Christmas?
Now that I have covered the 5 most important things you need to know before coming here for Christmas, you might wonder why you’d want to at all.
Well, here are a few reasons people visit Norway during the Christmas holiday, starting with the most obvious.
Kids are off school
It’s usually families that come during Christmas, for the very simple reason that it is a school holiday. A lot of adults also have time off work these days too. Visiting during the half term means that you don’t have to take extra time off work, and you don’t have to take the kids out of school.
Northern Lights
One of the things Norway is most famous for are the Northern Lights, and Christmas time is the best time to see them. It is the darkest time of year, which is one of the requirements to get a good shot of the Aurora Borealis.
In fact, in December you might even see the Northern Lights in Bergen and southern Norway if you’re lucky!
However, I always recommend heading up north if the lights are your main reason to visit Norway. From Tromsø there are loads of great Northern Lights tours, and some of them even operate during Christmas.
Just remember (yes, I’m repeating it) to book your tour as early as you can, to ensure they don’t close for the holiday.
Below are some of the highest-rated Northern Lights tours in northern Norway:
Quiet
Another reason to visit Norway for Christmas is that the entire country is quiet and peaceful. There are very few tourists this time of year. As mentioned, most Norwegians tend to stay inside during this time, making it an even more private and tranquil experience.
The fjords and landscapes are particularly breathtaking in the winter, with the snow covering the ground and everything appears so serene. You can take a peaceful stroll along the shore of the fjords, feeling the chill of the winter wind in the air. The snow-covered mountains and trees create a mesmerizing backdrop for you to enjoy your surroundings in peace.
Packing for Norway in Winter
When visiting Norway during Christmas, it’s important to think carefully about what you pack. Norway is known for its stunning landscapes and winter wonderlands, and having the right gear is key to making the most of your trip. From a decent Nordic sweater, snow boots and multiple layers of clothing to snacks for the car ride, making sure you know what to bring is essential.
That’s why I’ve written a complete packing guide for visiting Norway in the winter. It’ll help you make sure you have everything you need for a fun and adventurous winter holiday in Norway. So check it out and get ready to have the time of your life in Norway this Christmas!
Must-Try Norwegian Christmas Foods
On the 24th, which is Christmas Eve, Norwegians will typically enjoy a big dinner with their family. The dinner depends on the family, but some of the common dishes include ribbe, pinnekjøtt and lutefisk. Earlier in the day, we’ve enjoyed traditional julegrøt (rice porridge) with an almond hidden in it, and the evening’s dinner isn’t complete without a riskrem dessert.
If you are visiting Norway in December, I highly recommend making sure that you try some of these traditional foods. Most Nordic/Norwegian restaurants will have a separate Christmas menu, where you can try pinnekjøtt, lutefisk and ribbe.
Just be prepared for the prices, as one Christmas dish easily can set you back 600 kroner (around $65)!
Read my complete guide to Norwegian Christmas food here!
Visiting Norway for Christmas: Final Thoughts
Now that you have read this guide, I hope you are more prepared for your Christmas trip to Norway. The most important takeaway is that opening hours and tour availability is very limited at the end of December, and that you need to plan ahead.
This includes booking your hotel and tours early, but also shopping for food before stores close on the 24th of December.
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