Christmas in Bergen

The Gingerbread town, the Bergen Christmas market and the Festival of light are some of the events Bergen has to offer to put you in the right Christmas spirit.

The Gingerbread Town (Pepperkakebyen) is the World’s largest town of its kind. In November, half of Bergen’s citizens make their own contributions to this tasteful, magical town. Houses, churches, castles, rockets, and even oil platforms are some of the edible artwork you can find – the creativity is amazing. The result of it all is a mind-blowing fairytale town among mountains, fjords, snow and atmospheric light. You can also have a taste of Bergen’s own gingerbread hearts at the end of the tour. Every day from November 18^th until December 31^st you can visit the Gingerbread Town at Sentralbadet.

This year, Bergen Christmas Market is opening for the very first time. The exhibitors offer various handmade, homemade and edible Christmas gifts. You can also try interesting Christmas foods from all over the world. There will be fun activities indoors and outdoors, such as Ferris Wheel, a carousel, and the World’s Smallest  Gingerbread Town. You’ll find the Christmas market at Festplassen, in the middle of the city center, from December 7^th until December 23^rd.

Traditionally Norway’s beloved nisse, Putti Plutti Pott, tries to find Santa Claus’ magical beard. Per Asplin is the author of this Christmas fairytale, which has been in theaters in Norway for the last 30 years. The play is a classic Christmas play, and brings the whole family the spirit of the season. Watch Putti Plutti Pott & Santa’s beard in Grieghallen from December 1^st until December 3^rd. The play is in Norwegian.

Travel back in time, and join Christmas preparations in Old Bergen. First Sunday of Advent the open-air museum gives you the opportunity to bake Christmas cookies, and dance while the Senior Officials Family prepare their wonderful Christmas ball. You can send your wish list to Santa Claus, and do other fun activities such as making your own nostalgic Christmas decorations. It’s recommended to pre-order tickets to be guaranteed entrance to this event.

Foto: Gunnar Strøm

The first Sunday of Advent the Festival of Lights is held around the lake Lille Lungegårdsvann. This is an annual opening of the Christmas season where thousands of people gather to take part in this joyful event with torches, before the Christmas tree is lit. Afterwards there’s a Christmas concert before the evening ends with spectacular fireworks.

Bergen also marks Advent with the traditional lighting of candles on Mount Fløyen every Sunday leading up to Christmas. There are also Christmas workshops and other fun activities before and after the lighting. If there is enough snow, you can get down to the center of Bergen from Mount Fløyen with sledges. The Fløibanen funicular offers sledging tickets for 95 NOK per day, and you can sleigh down from Mount Fløyen all day. The road and the paths are lit during the evening.

Mount Fløyen. Photo: Robin Strand, Norphoto AS

If you want to bring the Bergen Christmas feeling home, head to Julehuset at Bryggen to get nisser and other Christmas decorations. In November and December, the shop has two floors of Christmas products.

Christmas traditions in Norway
In Norway, the most important celebration happens on Christmas Eve, 24 December. This is when Norwegian families come together for a big meal. After dinner, it is time to unwrap the presents.

Norwegian Christmas food traditions vary across the regions, but Christmas dinner is usually  fish, mutton ribs (called Pinnekjøtt) or pork ribs, with all the traditional trimmings, such as sauerkraut, swede, gravy and the ubiquitous boiled potatoes.

Opening hours:
Opening hours museums and attractions.
Opening hours restaurants.

From Thursday 8 December until (and including) 23 December, most shops in the city centre are open at these times:
Monday to Friday: Open until 8PM (malls until 9PM)
Saturday: Open until 6PM
Sunday: Open until 2PM or 7PM
Christmas Eve: Open until 1PM (with some exceptions)
Christmas Day and Boxing Day: Closed
New Year’s Eve: Open until 4PM (with some exceptions)

Tourist information:
Closed 24, 25, 26, 31 December and 1 January.