Christmas and Advent markets in Norway

Get into the festive spirit by visiting one of Norway’s many Christmas markets and fairs. These markets offer a unique experience with tastes and gifts that are not available elsewhere. With Christmas approaching, these traditional markets return once again with a variety of exciting artisan foods, cozy winter streets, and unique Christmas gifts. In the weeks leading up to Christmas Eve, many fairs pop up all around the country.

Here’s a selection of eleven fabulous Christmas markets that you can visit to make your Christmas season more special.

What will the Advent markets be like in Oslo this year? Program and important information in one place

Milan & Ondra

23. 02. 2024

Are you planning a trip to the Advent markets in Oslo? Find out where they are held and what they attract. We know the opening hours and the program.

Christmas market in Oslo

Experience the magic of Christmas in Oslo at the Spikersuppa Christmas Fair!

This enchanting fair lasts for over a month and is located right by the Spikersuppa skating rink on Karl Johans Gate, just a stone’s throw away from the Royal Palace.

Immerse yourself in the festive atmosphere and enjoy delightful food stalls, a romantic ice skating rink, and exciting new family attractions, including a brand-new Ferris wheel.

Don’t miss out on a truly unforgettable holiday season in Oslo!

Christmas market in Bergen

Bergen is a great place to celebrate Christmas, with its unique traditions and world-famous cultural stage.

The Christmas market is located at Festplassen, right in the city’s heart. You’ll find the traditional Ferris wheel and horse carousel, a giant Christmas tree, and a unique holiday atmosphere.

The popular stalls from previous seasons will be there, waiting for you to visit.

Christmas market in Lillehammer

Lillehammer is a safe bet if you dream of a snow-covered winter wonderland. The quaint city by Lake Mjøsa is about an hour and a half by train from Oslo Airport.

Discover how Christmas was celebrated in the Middle Ages at the Maihaugen open-air museum – which hosts a festive Christmas market on the first weekend of Advent.

A visit to the arts and crafts at the creative hub Fabrikken is a must, and you should also stop by the Lillehammer Art Museum. Afterward, you can find the perfect Christmas gifts in the city’s festively decorated streets.

If you want to get active in the snow, combine your trip to Lillehammer with a day or two in one of the nearby top-notch ski resorts, Hafjell and Kvitfjell, usually open from November. You might also be brave enough to try the bob and luge track used at the 1994 Winter Olympics – and if not, you can take the chair lift to the top of the Lysegårdsbakkene ski jump for a fantastic view.

Norsk Folk Museum’s annual Christmas fair

One of Norway’s most famous Christmas markets is Norsk Folkemuseum’s annual Christmas fair, and understandably so.

At the open-air museum in Oslo, visitors can buy Christmas gifts from over a hundred stalls as they wander through a historical retelling of Christmases decades and centuries past.
The whole museum is decorated in line with various customs and eras, allowing you to experience anything from Christmas Eve in a fancy merchant’s home in 1769 to the home of a rural Norwegian family in 1959.