Every country has its own unique Christmas traditions, and Norway is no exception. In this article we introduce you to our favourite Norwegian Christmas traditions that are sure to brighten your holidays as well!
1. Little Christmas Eve
In Norway, 23 December is known as Lille Juleaften, which translates to Little Christmas Eve. Even though the main celebration takes place on Christmas Eve, the 24th, the 23rd is another day of importance in Norwegian Christmas traditions.
Many families have their own way of spending the evening of the 23rd, but some activities are typical all over Norway. These usually include decorating the Christmas tree, making and decorating gingerbread houses, and eating a variety of sweet Christmas treats.
2. A Tree Full of Love
Speaking of Christmas tree decorations: round and star-shaped ornaments are well known in Norway, but the most popular decoration comes in the shape of a heart. Julekurver are small heart-shaped paper baskets, woven from coloured paper, filled with small Norwegian flags or treats and hung on the tree.
But make no mistake: Norway's love of heart-shaped decorations doesn't stop there. Another favourite is the heart-shaped gingerbread cookie, hung both on the tree and in the windows of homes and shops. And who doesn't love an edible decoration?
3. Christmas Markets Everywhere
Norwegian Christmas traditions don't stop outside the home! As early as the end of November, Christmas markets pop up all over Norway.
Whether it's Christmas in Winterland at Spikersuppa in Oslo or Julebyen in Egersund (voted Santa's hometown in Norway by listeners of NRK radio), Norwegian Christmas markets are a feast for all the senses. Traditional food and crafts, mulled wine by the bucket, Christmas carols and the occasional reindeer sleigh: the markets are a must-see when you spend the festive season in Norway.
One extra special tip: Norway's sweetest Christmas market is in the country's second-biggest city, Bergen. Every year since 1991 the whole city has been recreated in gingerbread form, making it the biggest gingerbread town in the world. A spectacle you can only experience in Norway!
4. Pre-Christmas Parties
At this point you have probably realised that Norwegians like to stretch their Christmas celebrations out as much as possible!
So it comes as no surprise that pre-Christmas parties are popular in Norway. These parties are called julebord (literally "Christmas table") and are commonly celebrated within companies and organisations, but also among groups of friends. Usually you reserve a table for the whole group in a restaurant; more recently, celebrating julebord at a club has become popular too.
A julebord is the perfect opportunity to get together with colleagues or friends, and it makes Norwegian nightlife in the pre-Christmas period all the more lively.
5. Snacks and Candy
A list of our favourite Christmas traditions has to include sweet, indulgent treats, and Christmas is certainly high season for candy and sweets in Norway!
There are traditional Christmas candies like glazed apples and burnt almonds that you will rarely find homemade, but you can find them at any Christmas market, which makes the perfect excuse to go several times. In most Norwegian homes around Christmas you will also find bowls of nuts and chocolate, perfect for festive snacking.
The most popular Christmas snack, though, has to be julemarsipan, Christmas marzipan. According to marzipan manufacturer Nidar, Norway's population of 5 million people consumes about 40 million marzipan figurines every year around Christmas. The recipe dates back to 1915, and the most popular varieties are small marzipan pigs and marzipan logs coated with chocolate.
Another popular activity is decorating your own marzipan pig in all kinds of ways, from reindeer pig all the way to a punk rock pig.
Experience it for yourself
After all these fun and interesting traditions, we are sure you are just burning to come to Norway and experience Christmas here! If you want first-hand knowledge from locals about what Christmas time is like in Norway, consider booking our Julefeiring Christmas Tour. You will get all the information you need, and taste some of the wonderful treats you just got to know in this article.
God jul, and see you in Oslo. 🎄