The 5 best Christmas markets in Norway

1. Røros – the fairy tale town where you can feed reindeers

This fairytale Christmas experience starts in a horse drawn carriage from the station. From here you are taken into the old UNESCO world heritage town, where small wooden houses and narrow streets set the frame for one of Norway’s most idyllic Christmas markets. Each year people pour into the small mountain town of Røros for the world renowned Røros butter (served at Copenhagen’s Noma), local beer and reindeer meat. While you are there, do pop by an indigenous Sami family to feed a live Santa’s reindeer.
The market takes place 5-7 December.

2. Trondheim – the Viking capital of Norway

Combine Røros with a trip to Trondheim, the oldest capital in Norway. The city oozes of history, and the Christmas Market is suitably placed in front of the Nidaros Cathedral – the place where Olaf the Holy, whom christened Norway, is said to be buried, and marks the end of one of the main pilgrimage routes in the world.
The market takes place 12-21 December, and boasts of local cheeses, beer and handicraft.

3. Oslo – Christmas spirit comes to the capital

At the traditional Christmas Fair at the Norwegian Folk Museum, you get to experience Christmas traditions from all of the country in one place. With 100 old-fashioned wooden stalls with homemade crafts and foods, as well as horse drawn sledges and Santa’s workshop, this is the place that truly bring Christmas to the capital. Go back in time, and see how Norwegians have celebrated the time through the years in small decorated houses. This is the place that greatly inspired Disney’s Frozen, with stave churches, folk dancers, and old houses – each house decorated according according to specific time epoch.
The market is open 6-7 as well as 13-14 December. 

4. Geilo – newcomer this year

Combine a skiing get-away with the new Christmas market in Geilo, in the middle of the mountainous area in the middle of Norway. The charming market focuses on local food and art, and you’ll see the direct inspiration from the steep mountains and forests – an area that has inspired many folk tales including trolls and other mythical figures.
Opens 22 November, and is open every weekend up till Sunday 22 December.

5. Bergen – The biggest Gingerbread town in the world

Experience the fjord city in a very different way – each Christmas you can experience a miniature Bergen made from gingerbread. School children and nursery school children contribute to the tradition each year, making City Hall, ships, cars and small houses. Even the Hanseatic Wharf can be spotted by a trained eye.