Best Norway Christmas Markets to Visit in 2023

Norway becomes a wonderland in winter, teeming with colourful streets, entertainment in the snow, hearty holiday foods, and splendid Norwegian Christmas markets. Plenty of fabulous fairs and bustling bazaars pop up throughout the country in the days leading to Christmas Eve. Are you planning a trip to Norway with kids during this festive season? Going to famous Norway Christmas markets should be on your list.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase through a link. Please see the full disclosure for further information.

norway, oslo, december, norway christmas markets

Why You Should Explore the Christmas Markets in Norway

Norway is famous for its fjords, Northern Lights, folklores, and Vikings. While most tourists visit during summer, there is something uniquely magical about winter in the Land of the Midnight Sun.

The atmospheric Norway Christmas markets undoubtedly make the country one of the best destinations in Northern Europe during the holiday season. Need a little more convincing? These are reasons why you should explore the festive Norway Xmas markets.

Indulge in delicious food. Be amazed by the tasty fare sold at Norway Christmas markets, from gingerbread and different kinds of cookies to smoked lamb ribs and roasted chestnuts. Then, there’s the sweet-smelling, pleasantly-spicy glogg, a must-try on every gastronomic list.

Shop for unique items. Whether you’re looking for handmade souvenirs, exquisite holiday décors, or rare Norwegian Christmas gifts, you’ll find them at a market.

Enjoy family-friendly fun. Norway Christmas markets are for people of all ages, but more so for kids and kids at heart. There are giant Ferris wheels, reindeer-pulled sleigh rides, visits to Santa’s workshop, skating rinks, snowball fights, and brightly-lit carousels playing Christmas tunes.

Experience local Christmas traditions. From carolers singing on stage to glittering light displays, Norway Christmas markets offer an exciting way to learn how the country celebrates the holiday.

Best Norway Christmas Markets 2022

It’s no secret that Norway has some of the best Scandinavian Christmas markets. But if you’re unsure where to go, here is a list of the most popular Norway Christmas markets in 2022 and their opening times.

Oslo Christmas Markets

Like the other European capitals, Oslo has some of the biggest, brightest, and busiest Christmas markets in the country.

The city also has a winter park, a festival of lights, and Christmas theatre shows.

Here are some of the best Oslo Christmas markets in 2022.

Christmas in Winterland

2022 Opening Dates: 13^th November – 2^nd January

Located along the Spikersuppa ice skating rink, a short distance from the National Theatre, Christmas in Winterland is Oslo’s most famous Christmas market. Various stands, shops, and stalls selling everything from toys and trinkets to jewellery and clothes to tacos and crêpes fill the entire block.

There are also free plays and concerts and several carnival rides, including a giant Ferris wheel, that kids will surely love.

Norwegian Folk Museum

2022 Opening Dates: 3^rd – 4^th December and 10^th – 11^th December

In the first two weeks of December, the Folk Museum hosts its annual Christmas Fair, featuring a market, concerts, traditional music and dance, and lots of fun and engaging activities.

The bazaar sells locally made crafts, such as ceramics, silverware, and seasonal food and drinks. Children can enjoy pony rides, meet the farm animals, make Christmas lanterns, or visit Santa’s workshop.

Youngstorget

2022 Opening Dates: mid-November – 21^st December

If it rains or gets too cold, head to the indoor Christmas market in Youngstorget. Instead of wandering through outdoor stalls, you can explore heated lavvu tents.

This event is one of the most unusual Oslo Xmas markets and features a Sami theme. Find dried rein meat, handmade Sami jewellery, horn products, and Sami music. In addition, there are lots of traditional Christmas décors and delicious food.

Bærums Verk

2022 Opening Dates: 26^th November – 21^st December

Bærums Verk is technically not in Oslo, but it is only 20 to 30 minutes away from the capital. Set in a village lined with 17th -century wooden houses and red brick factory buildings along a river, the Bærums Verk market evokes old-fashioned Christmas.

Find rare arts and crafts, toys, clothing, chocolate, and Christmas food. There are also horse and sleigh rides and a Christmas workshop for children.

Where to stay: If you’re visiting Norway, it’s best to make the capital your base. Oslo has plenty of family-friendly places to stay, including Hotel Bristol and some luxury apartments.

Tromsø Christmas Market

2022 Opening Dates: 17^th November – 31^st December

With its fairy lights, live choir, snow-covered streets, and dozens of shops, the Christmas market in Tromsø is a must-visit. Buy locally-made jewellery, enamel mugs, leather bags, wool hats, chocolates, spices, handmade glass and traditional Christmas eats made from home-grown ingredients.

Take a spin on the ice-skating rink or enjoy a ride on the Ferris wheel. Craving for adventure? Combine shopping with classic Christmas activities, such as reindeer or dog sledging, Northern Lights tour, or snowshoeing.

Where to stay: A popular family destination, Tromsø hosts many child-friendly accommodations, including hotels, apartments, and home rentals. Check out the Tromsø City Apartments for privacy or Penthouse in Downtown Tromsø for someplace close to the city centre.

Røros Christmas Market

2022 Opening Dates: 1^st to 4^th December

We won’t blame you for thinking you’ve stepped into the pages of a fairytale the moment you arrive in Røros. After all, this idyllic mining town is the inspiration for Disney’s Frozen. Known for its stunning scenery and entertainment, Røros is a winter wonderland, complete with snow-covered wooden houses and exciting Christmas activities.

At the Røros Norway Christmas market, you’ll find unique handicrafts, traditional arts, knitted clothes, smoked salmon, and cured sausages. There are loads of tasty Christmas treats, including freshly-baked goods, candies, and mugs of glogg.

If you get chilly, there are open-fire cauldrons where you can warm up. Children can visit Santa’s workshop, meet the resident reindeer, or enjoy a horse-drawn sleigh ride around town.

Where to stay: For family-friendly accommodations, check out the rustic, wooden holiday house Ålbyggården right next to the famous Røros Church.

For somewhere closer to the train station, the two-bedroom Vertshuset Røros makes an ideal place to stay.

Bergen Norway Christmas Market

2022 Opening Dates: 25^th November to 22^nd December

The fairytale city of Bergen has the lengthiest holiday celebration in Norway. Its chief Christmas market is located in the city centre at the festive square of Festplassen, boasting a massive Christmas tree, a giant Ferris wheel, a horse carousel, and lots of singing.

Shops selling Norwegian wool, sheepskin blankets, rare handicrafts, and delicacies line the brightly-lit streets. But it’s not only Festplassen that goes abuzz during Christmas.

The whole city comes to life with several concerts, live performances, food festivals, and the world’s largest gingerbread town, Pepperkakebyen.

Where to stay: Bergen has plenty of kid-friendly places, including the beachside Funkis Villa and the upscale Opus 16.

Trondheim Christmas Market

2022 Opening Dates: 1^st-18^th December

In the city centre, on the newly-renovated Torvet square, is the Trondheim Christmas market. It hosts over 100 cultural events and 90 shops that sell exotic jams, unique ceramic bowls, and fascinating handicrafts and wares with equally fascinating backstories.

The lavvu tents throughout the area serve as cafés or an indoor stage, where you can have warm glogg, freshly brewed beer, or sweet hot chocolate whilst enjoying performances by fireside troubadours and other live theatre shows for children.

Where to stay: There’s no shortage of fantastic child-friendly places in Bergen. These include the Britannia Hotel, Thon Hotel Prinsen, and the scenic Seaside Rentals, which lie on the fjord.

Get Up to 10% Cashback on Hotels, Tours, Flights and More with WayAway

WayAway is a free flight search tool, where you can find the best rates for flights for your travel dates by comparing airfares offered by global airlines and agencies. Search for cheap flights for free here >>>

The platform also has a Plus membership plan where you can get up to 10% cashback on accommodation bookings, flights, hotels, car rentals and other travel services. You’ll also get premium travel support and travel content prepared by locals. Get a 10% discount on your WayAway Plus plan by using the Promo Code EuropeanCitieswithKids2023.

Start Earning Cashback on Your Travel Here >>>

Norwegian Christmas Markets Around the World

A number of cities around the world, particularly those with a significant Norwegian population, celebrate the holidays by hosting Norway Christmas markets.

Norwegian Christmas Fair, New York City [3rd weekend of November] Hosted by the Norwegian Seaman’s Church, this annual Christmas fair features cultural shows and shops selling Norwegian crafts, jewellery, knitwear, tablecloths, décors, and many more.

Scandinavian Christmas Fair, Raleigh, North Carolina [3rd December] A celebration of the rich traditions of Nordic countries, this fair features Sweden, Denmark and Norway Christmas markets. You can enjoy the sights and tastes of Scandinavia, including food, music, and craft items.

Scandinavian Christmas Market, London, UK [late November to mid-December] Find a mishmash of Scandinavian shops selling goods and fares from Nordic countries on Albion Street.

Hokuo Yatai, Kyoto, Japan [23rd November and 6th, 7th, 25th December] This festive event celebrates the holidays with various Scandinavian shops selling wooden products, textiles, vintage tableware, accessories and food typically found in Norway Christmas markets.