Magical Things to Do in Norway in December: Christmas Guide

Picture skiing fresh powder in the morning, then browsing a candlelit Christmas market by 3pm, because the sun has already set. That's not an exaggeration. Much of southern Norway gets only around five to six hours of daylight near the winter solstice, and it does nothing to dim the appeal. If you're researching things to do in Norway in December, the short version is: more than you'd expect from a country this dark. Ski resorts open for the season, Christmas markets fill town squares from Oslo to Tromsø, and the Arctic sky puts on its best show of the year. Here's how to make the most of it.

Quick Answer: Best Things to Do in Norway in December

1. Ski at Voss, Trysil, or Hemsedal as resorts open for the season
2. Browse Christmas markets in Oslo, Bergen, and Tromsø
3. Chase the Northern Lights, best odds are in Tromsø and northern Norway
4. Stay in a cozy cabin (hytte) with a wood-burning stove
5. Combine two or three of the above into a single week-long trip

We're based in Voss, in the middle of Norway's ski country, and our guides spend all winter on these mountains. The recommendations below are what we'd actually tell a friend visiting in December, not a list pulled from a brochure.

Skiing in Norway in December

Skiing in Norway in December runs all month, with Voss and Hemsedal often among the first major western resorts to open, conditions permitting. If this is your first Norway ski trip, the three resorts below offer genuinely different experiences, and picking the right one matters more than picking the "best" one.

Voss: Adventure and Scenery

With stunning mountain views and family-friendly slopes, Voss is a great spot for both skiing and relaxing. The resort mixes alpine and cross-country terrain with unique add-ons like backcountry skiing and snowshoe touring, and the town itself has the accommodation and restaurants to match. For the full breakdown of slopes, snow conditions, and how to plan a ski trip here, our complete Voss skiing guide covers everything.

First-time visitors often worry they'll spend the day cold. In practice, staying active on the slopes keeps people surprisingly comfortable, even with December's short daylight window.

Local tip: Many resorts offer packages that include rentals and guided tours. A ski pass covering multiple resorts in the region is usually the better value if you're staying more than a few days.

Trysil: Family-Friendly Getaway

Norway's largest ski resort offers over 70 slopes and 31 lifts, and it's built for families and beginners. Dedicated beginner areas with magic carpet lifts make it easy for newcomers to learn, while more advanced skiers get challenging off-piste terrain. Night skiing under floodlights adds a genuinely magical atmosphere once the sun sets, which, in December, is early.

Hemsedal: The Scandinavian Alps

Known for its more advanced slopes and a livelier après-ski scene, Hemsedal suits experienced skiers looking for steep off-piste terrain and freestyle parks. The village comes alive in the evening with bars, restaurants, and traditional Norwegian celebrations, and ski-in, ski-out accommodation makes the whole thing easy to manage.

Christmas Markets in Norway

Christmas season in Norway runs from late November through December, and the markets are the centrepiece: handcrafted gifts, local delicacies, and traditional food fill every stall. Most major markets close in the days just before Christmas, so if you're visiting Christmas week itself, plan to catch them earlier in your trip.

Oslo Christmas Market

Located at Spikersuppa in the heart of the capital, this market runs from late November through December. Expect wooden stalls of festive decorations, handcrafted gifts, gingerbread cookies, and mulled wine (gløgg), alongside live folk music and small amusement rides for kids. It works especially well after dark, when the lights reflect across the skating rink at Spikersuppa and the daytime crowds thin out.

Bergen Christmas Market

Set at Festplassen, a public square backed by historic wooden buildings that make the whole market feel like stepping back in time. Local artisans sell woodcarvings, handwoven textiles, and Viking-inspired silver jewellery, and the food stalls serve Bergen fish soup, reindeer sausage, and traditional lefse.

Bergen's market feels noticeably smaller than the big German Christmas markets, and that's part of its charm. Instead of hundreds of stalls, you spend more time actually talking to the people who made what you're buying.

Local tip: Don't skip Pepperkakebyen, the World's Largest Gingerbread Town, open to the public in Bergen from mid-November through December.

Tromsø Christmas Market

For a genuinely northern experience, Tromsø's market brings Sami handicrafts, festive lights, and Arctic cheer to a central square, one of the few places where you might shop under the Northern Lights if the weather cooperates. Try the krumkake (wafer cookies) and riskrem (rice pudding with berry sauce) while you browse.

Which Part of Norway Fits Your December Trip?

Norway in December isn't one trip, it's several different ones depending on what you're chasing.

Most visitors end up combining two of these. Voss works particularly well as a base, since it puts you close to skiing and within a short train ride of Bergen's Christmas market, without needing a rental car.

Chasing the Northern Lights in December

Most guests arrive expecting December's short days to feel like a drawback. For aurora hunting, they're the opposite: darkness sets in by mid-afternoon in the north, which just means more hours of dark sky to work with, up to 19 hours in total.

Tromsø is widely considered the Northern Lights capital, offering guided tours and some of the clearest skies in the country. One thing surprises a lot of first-time visitors, though: the forecast can show excellent aurora activity, and you still won't see a thing if clouds roll in over that specific spot. That's why guides often drive well outside Tromsø itself, chasing clear sky rather than just chasing the forecast. Many tours include professional photography, and aurora forecasting apps with 3-day predictions and KP-index ratings help you plan the best nights to head out.

Cozy Cabins and Holiday Retreats

A Norwegian cabin, or hytte, is one of the best ways to slow down after a day outdoors.

Voss pairs a cozy cabin with easy access to skiing, cross-country trails, snowshoeing, and even ice fishing. Options range from luxury chalets with private hot tubs to traditional log cabins for a more authentic stay.

Geilo is a winter sports town with charming cabins, saunas, and direct access to ski trails, good for a mix of activity and quiet.

Haukeliseter, high in the mountains, offers some of Norway's most pristine winter scenery from a historic lodge dating back to the 1800s, with excellent access to cross-country skiing, winter hiking, and high-mountain scenery.

Local tip: Most Norwegian cabins include a wood-burning stove and access to cross-country ski equipment, often with lessons for beginners.

Yes, most resorts open between the first and third week of the month, with Voss and Hemsedal typically first. Weekend and Christmas week accommodation fills fast once resorts open, so book early.

Norway's December Magic

December is one of the few months when Norway feels quieter than it looks in photographs. Snow softens the landscape, daylight is brief, and evenings naturally slow down, whether that's spent in a cabin, at a market stall, or waiting for the sky to move. For a lot of travellers, that quiet is exactly what makes a winter visit memorable, more than any single activity on this list.

Norway counts more than 1,000 named fjords, according to its official tourism board, and in December, most of them sit wrapped in snow and candlelight. Whether you're carving fresh powder at Voss, sipping gløgg in Bergen, or watching the aurora bend across the Arctic sky, that's the kind of thing that's genuinely hard to describe to someone who hasn't seen it.

If you're planning a shorter trip, our 3-Day Ski and Snowshoe Experience in Voss is built for exactly this kind of visit, easy to fit around a longer Norway itinerary. Craving more, our 9-Day Norway Ski Road Trip takes you from Bergen through Western Norway's best winter terrain.

Planning ahead for the holidays? An Outdoor Norway gift card lets someone choose their own winter adventure, no guessing sizes or dates required.

Start planning here, or browse our full travel guide for more of Voss and Western Norway in winter.

Things to Do in Norway in December: Frequently Asked Questions

Does it snow everywhere in Norway in December?

Not always. Inland and northern Norway are usually well covered in snow by December, while coastal cities like Bergen can alternate between rain and snow at sea level. Higher elevations around Voss and Norway's ski resorts are much more likely to have reliable snow conditions.

How cold is Norway in December, and what should you pack?

Temperatures vary depending on where you're travelling. Coastal western Norway often sits around 0 to 5°C, while inland valleys and northern regions can drop well below freezing. Pack thermal base layers, a waterproof outer shell, insulated boots, gloves, a warm hat, and a neck warmer. If you're planning to ski, rental equipment is widely available at most resorts, so there's no need to bring your own gear.

Can you ski in Norway in December, and where should you go?

Yes. Most major ski resorts open during the first half of December, although exact dates depend on snowfall and snowmaking conditions. Voss is a great choice if you want to combine skiing with other winter adventures, Trysil is ideal for families and beginners, and Hemsedal is popular with more experienced skiers looking for challenging terrain.

Are Christmas markets open throughout December?

Most of them are. Christmas markets across Norway usually open in late November and continue until just before Christmas Eve. If visiting the markets is a priority, plan your trip during the first three weeks of December. Bergen, Oslo, and Tromsø all host some of the country's best-known festive markets.

Can you see the Northern Lights in Norway in December?

Yes. December is one of the best months to see the Northern Lights thanks to the long hours of darkness. Tromsø and other destinations in northern Norway offer the highest chances, although clear skies are just as important as strong aurora activity.

How many hours of daylight does Norway get in December?

Southern Norway typically gets around five to six hours of daylight near the winter solstice. Northern Norway experiences only a few hours of twilight, and places above the Arctic Circle enter the Polar Night, when the sun doesn't rise above the horizon.

Is Norway worth visiting in December?

If you're looking for skiing, snowy landscapes, Christmas markets, or the Northern Lights, December is one of the most rewarding times to visit. The days are short and the weather can be unpredictable, but that's part of what makes Norway feel so different from a summer trip.