Things to do in Oslo during Christmas 2025
Christmas in Oslo is a magical time of year. The city is transformed into a winter wonderland with lights, decorations and festivities..
Celebrating Christmas in Oslo is a unique and memorable experience. With its charming Christmas markets, light installations, events, experiences and attractions, the city is guaranteed to give you an unforgettable time. Here are some tips on everything you can see and do in Oslo this Christmas 2025.
Christmas in Oslo starts on November 8, 2025 with "Christmas in Winterland"
Christmas in Winterland (Jul i Vinterland) is Oslo's most popular area for Christmas fun. Christmas in Winterland is open from November 8, 2025 to January 4, 2026. In this cozy Christmas area you can shop for Christmas gifts at the large Christmas market, choose from lots of delicious food, enjoy hot drinks, go ice skating, look at all the beautiful Christmas decorations, ride the Ferris wheel and carousel, listen to Christmas concerts and everything you can think of that belongs to Christmas. Of course, the children can meet Santa Claus.
Christmas in Winterland can be found in the area around the Spikersuppa ice rink, which is located in a park area between Karl Johans gate and Stortingsgata in central Oslo. Admission to Christmas in Winterland is free.
Norsk Folkemuseums Christmas market 2025
Another very popular Christmas market in Oslo is the one at the Norwegian Folk Museum. The Norwegian Folk Museum is an open-air museum that displays historical environments and buildings from Norway. The Norwegian Folk Museum can be compared to Skansen in Stockholm.
The museum's courtyards and houses are traditionally decorated for Christmas, with decorations reflecting different historical eras – from farmhouses to city apartments. The Christmas market usually has over 100 market stalls where you can find Christmas gifts, crafts and delicacies. The Norwegian Folkemuseum's Christmas market is open the first two weekends in December 2025: December 6-7 and December 13-14 from 10 am to 4 pm.
The Norwegian Folk Museum is located on Bygdøy, which is a peninsula west of central Oslo. On the same peninsula, you will find several of Oslo's popular museums such as the Kon-Tiki museum, the Fram museum, the Norwegian Maritime Museum and the Viking Age Museum, which will open in 2027.
Oslo Christmas Streets Opening (Julegateåpning) 2025
Although Christmas in Winterland (Jul i Vinterland) opens on November 8, 2025, there will be a more official opening of Christmas in Oslo when it is time for Oslo's Christmas Streets Opening. In 2024, the Christmas Streets Opening was on Saturday, November 30 at 3:30 p.m. We will be back with the date and time for Christmas Streets Opening 2025.
During Oslo Christmas Gate Opening, there will be a Christmas show at Jernbanetorget, where Santa Claus will also be present. After the show and fun activities, there will be a Christmas parade with Santa Claus in a horse and sleigh along Karl Johans gate going to the Christmas market Jul i Vinterland at Spikersuppa. Jernbanetorget is located outside Oslo Central Station. Feel free to follow the Santa Claus Parade up to Christmas in Winterland.
Christmas shopping in Oslo
Christmas is the time for shopping. Oslo has several shopping centers and areas where you can go to buy Christmas gifts but also just marvel at the beautiful Christmas decorations.
Next to Oslo Central Station is Byporten Mall of Oslo, which is a shopping center full of shops. Opposite Byporten is the Oslo City shopping center. Along Karl Johan street there is a wide range of shopping options. You have Arkaden and Paleet, among others. Near Stortorvet (Main Square) and Oslo Cathedral you will find GlasMagsinet Stortorvet and Steen & Strøm Department Store. Steen & Strøm dates back to 1797 and is Oslo's oldest department store and also the oldest in all of Norway. The department store can be compared to NK in Stockholm and Saks 5th Avenue in New York. Don't miss Steen & Strøm Christmas decorations and Christmas windows. And they usually have a giant Christmas tree suspended from the ceiling at Karl Johans gate side atrium.
There is also a lot of shopping around Aker Brygge.
Visit a museum during Christmas in Oslo
Visiting a museum when you are in Oslo during Christmas is a tip. Oslo has many interesting museums. For those who want to know more about the Nobel Peace Prize and its laureates, you can visit the Nobel Peace Center. Of all the Nobel Prizes awarded, only the Peace Prize is awarded in Oslo, the others are awarded in Stockholm. The Nobel Prize is awarded on Nobel Day, December 10th each year.
Another interesting museum is the Viking Planet Museum, which is an interactive exhibition about the history of the Vikings. The highlight is the 25-minute VR game session, where you experience a simulated Viking adventure.
New Year's Cruise in Oslo 2025 - 2026
For those who want a front row seat to the Oslo New Year fireworks, a New Year Cruise is offered on December 31, 2025. The cruise departs at 11 p.m. and heads out into the Oslofjord for the best spot for the stroke of midnight and Oslo's fireworks. The boat returns to the quay at 1 a.m. Music is played on board and you are treated to a welcome aperitif and a small night snack. Perhaps you will then continue the New Years Eve in Oslo or it may be nice to go back to your hotel.
