Last night, I sat in my favorite spot in the Lofoten Islands (where I am at the moment), close to a spectacular mountain called Reinebringen, watching a foreign traveler experience her first Northern Lights across the sky. Northern Norway in December is iconic.
I meet so many people up north of the Arctic Circle whose only goal for visiting Norway in the winter is to see the Aurora Borealis live, and sometimes, they actually cry from joy.
After living for more than ten years in northern Norway, I still get goosebumps watching that green and purple light show, the blue light during the day.
So go ahead and picture this: YOU, wrapped in a cozy wool blanket, sipping hot chocolate in a glass-roofed cabin while the Northern Lights dance above you in the Arctic sky.
Well? Wanna come visit?
7 Spectacular Reasons to Visit Norway in December
December transforms my rugged, diverse Arctic homeland into something extraordinary.
Since you’re here, I’m betting you’re ready to discover why this supposedly “dark” winter month might just become your new favorite time to travel – at least to Norway.
Although the northern lights season runs from late September through March, December has both the Aurora Borealis and the extra magic of being the Advent month.
It is also the month when the earth changes its trajectory, and so the days start becoming longer again (or the Polar Night shorter).
1. Chase the Northern Lights Like a Pro
Let me tell you – nothing compares to witnessing the Aurora Borealis live and in person.
Norway in December’s long, dark nights creates perfect conditions for this natural light show.
You can go northern lights hunting from anywhere around the Arctic Circle and beyond, and even in Trondheim (Norway’s middle-earth capital).
The best places to experience the Aurora Borealis are Bodø, Lofoten, Tromsø, Alta, the North Cape, Kirkenes and Karasjok – and the Svalbard Islands.
In Tromsø (nicknamed the “Paris of the North,” but way cooler, literally!), you’ll have up to 90% chance of spotting the lights on a clear night (and yes, you are dependent on the clouds not being present).
Kirkenes and Karasjok are the remote Arctic north-eastern homes of the Sami indigenous people.
Lastly, you have Svalbard, an iconic island group that belongs to Norway and is accessible by plane or by an expedition cruise ship designed for Arctic waters.
EpicNomadLife Tip: Book a Northern Lights tour – your guides will take you safely into the Arctic wilderness, and those iconic Instagram shots practically take themselves!
Also read: 5 Most Popular December Destinations for American Travelers
2. Experience Authentic Christmas Markets
If you are worried about getting lost among crushing crowds at European Christmas markets in December, you should come to Norway instead. We do things differently here, where the real magic happens.
Among Oslo’s Christmas Markets, you find one on the main street, Karl Johan (just below the Royal Castle); grab a glass of warm gløgg (our version of mulled wine), and browse handcrafted gifts while snow gently falls around you.
Or join the holiday ice skaters on the rink in Spikersuppa, the adjacent park with floodlights and Christmas music.
In the Lofoten Islands, you will be surrounded by spectacular mountains that steep directly and abruptly into the sea, while in Alta, you can combine your northern light experience with staying at the Ice Hotel and going dog sledding.
At the Bergen Christmas Market, you can visit the Christmas Tree Forest, take the Ferris wheel for an airy spin, and all the cozy booths with everything you need to enter into the holiday spirit.
You can fly into Bergen, take the train over from Oslo, or drive here on a road trip.
Lastly, have you heard about Røros? This is a small town in Norway famous for having a cold weather record almost every year. We call it a “cold hole,” which also means there is usually lots of snow!
Røros is a super charming small town with colorful wooden houses, a lot of history, cafes, and restaurants – the perfect backdrop for an amazing Advent holiday.
Getting here: take the 5-hour train journey from Oslo, or rent a car and do a winter road trip (if you feel confident driving in winter conditions).
3. Embrace Winter Sports Paradise
December in Norway is the first month when our mountains transform into a winter sports playground.
It does not matter whether you’re a seasoned skier or a complete rookie; resorts like Trysil, Geilo, and Hemsedal offer slopes for every level.
These most popular winter resorts in Norway are situated 3-5 hours from Oslo or Bergen by car, and you can also travel to Geilo by Train – a spectacular journey.
Above the Arctic Circle, you also find great skiing destinations, like Narvik, where you can ski from the summit all the way to the fjord shores.
What is most common and popular in northern Norway (and some destinations in the west and northwest) is backcountry skiing.
Spend the entire day hiking up the mountain and be rewarded with spectacular views at the top before you ski in virgin snow all the way back down in the afternoon!
Check destinations like the Lyngen Alps, Senja Island, Voss, and the Sunnmøre Alps.
Want something uniquely Norwegian? Try cross-country skiing – it’s basically our national sport and a fantastic way to explore snow-covered mountain plains and forests.
EpicNomadLife Tip: SAFETY FIRST! The Norwegian mountain conditions can be treacherous, especially if you do not have local knowledge. Unless you are a really experienced backcountry skier and mountaineer, consider doing your off-pist summiting with a skilled, local guide.
4. Discover The Cozy “Hygge” Culture
We Norwegians have perfected the art of winter coziness, and we call it “hygge” or “kos.”
December is our prime time for creating “hygge” (because it does not create itself) – think candlelit cafes, fireplace lounges, and endless cups of hot chocolate, “gløgg,” or cappuccino with cinnamon.
We generally prefer to have this in “the mountains,” but you will find “kos” anywhere in Norway in December, outdoors and indoors.
Outdoors, it is the lights in the streets and shops, Christmas Markets, and Christmas tree forests that pop up everywhere.
Indoors, it is the lit candles, fireplaces, quilts, woolen socks, music, and tasty food and sweets.
In Oslo’s hip Grünerløkka neighborhood, you’ll find Instagram-worthy coffee shops where you can warm up between adventures.
5. Savor Norwegian Christmas Cuisine
December is when Norwegian traditional cuisine truly shines in the best restaurants, hotels, and private homes.
From fresh seafood like king crab in the Arctic to traditional Christmas dishes.
Try pinnekjøtt (dried lamb ribs), ribbe (pork rib made in a particular way), or lutefisk (a weirdly prepared fish dish common in the West and North).
Your taste buds are in for a unique treat.
The cool and weird thing about Norway is that you can find yourself in the middle of nowhere (and there are quite a few “in the middle of nowhere” places in Norway) – and there will suddenly be incredible gourmet restaurants there focusing on short traveled produced with amazing chefs and menus!
EpicNomadLife Tip: Don’t miss out on the lutefisk – it’s a conversation starter, trust me! Many high-end restaurants offer special holiday-tasting menus that will blow your mind.
6. Stay In Bucket-List Winter Accommodations
December opens doors to unique accommodation experiences in Norway, both in the largest cities and towns and in small rural or coastal villages where you would not expect to find anything interesting.
In the category spectacular, you can book a glass igloo stay at Lyngen North (south of Tromsø) for unobstructed Northern Lights views from your bed or splurge on the iconic Snowhotels in Kirkenes or Alta.
For a more traditional experience, stay in a restored Norwegian farmhouse, a northern Norwegian rorbu (an old fisherman’s cottage), or a Sami lavvo.
The most popular destinations have a variety of places to stay across the board, from budget to luxury. Many places also offer Christmas cooking classes and cultural experiences.
7. Join Unique December Festivals
We Norwegians know how to brighten up the darkness, mainly out of necessity, to survive and thrive in the darkest month of the year.
(The sun turns around on December 22nd, which is when we regain hope for a brighter future – literally).
The Nobel Peace Prize ceremony in Oslo (December 10th) brings international glamour.
Local Christmas concerts in the Oslo Cathedral, Bergen Concert Hall, the Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim, and Ishavskatedralen in Tromsø or historic stave churches will give you goosebumps.
There are also other kinds of concerts in December.
Check the program for Rockefeller and Blå in Oslo, Forum Scene in Bergen, Studentersamfunnet in Trondheim, and Blårock or Kulturhuset in Tromsø.
Also, don’t miss the Saint Lucia Day celebrations on December 13th – the processions of white-robed singers with candles around Norway are pure magic.
Essential Tips for Your December Norway Adventure
My best packing advice is that in Norway in December, less is definitely not more! You do not want your visit to be ruined by not bringing enough warm, wind- and waterproof clothing.
Please trust me on this.
What to Pack for Norway in December
Here are my best packing tips for Norway in December:
- Thermal underwear base layers (think merino wool)
- Thick socks
- A proper winter coat or down jacket (waterproof and windproof)
- Snow boots with good grip
- Hat and mittens, and consider hand and foot warmers (again, trust me on this one)
- Cold cream for your face
- Powerbank for charging your phone on the go (cold drains it quickly)
- Camera with extra batteries (same)
Weather and Daylight
Let’s keep it real – December in Norway is dark and cold, but that’s part of its charm. We often call it “the blue light”, when the daylight is not quite daylight.
Also, be mindful that you can not talk about “weather in Norway,” a country that is more than 2000 kilometers long, as the elements in the north and the south are like in two different countries.
Make sure you check the weather forecast for exactly where you plan to visit.
Temperatures typically range from -5°C to 5°C (23°F to 41°F) in the south and can drop to -20°C (-4°F) up north.
In Oslo in December, you’ll get about six hours of daylight, while north of the Arctic Circle, hello polar night!
Not sure what that means? Well, it means that the sun does not rise at all for about one month near the Arctic Circle point, to around four months in Svalbard, the island group north of the Norwegian mainland.
So yeah, plan your activities accordingly.
Getting Around
You can easily rent a car in Norway, which I normally would say is a wonderful way to explore Norway.
However, in December, I recommend you think about how experienced and confident you are driving in sometimes really fierce winter conditions and slippery or snowy roads.
If that is no problem for you, get a rental car.
However, if that makes you feel a bit uneasy, consider taking the train (a beautiful and chill way to travel in Norway) or taking domestic flights, especially over longer distances.
- The train from Oslo to Bergen is a winter wonderland journey of about five hours across the Hardangervidda. You can also take the train to Trondheim.
- Internal flights are fairly reliable even in winter, but sometimes, the weather is too rough for planes as well.
- Car rental? Only if you’re comfortable with winter driving
- Public transportation is fairly reliable (yes, even in snow!), but sometimes you will experience “bus for train” situations in cases of heavy snowfall
Resources:
5 Best Destinations In Norway In December
Oslo In December – Where Winter Culture Comes Alive
If you take the metro to Holmenkollen just as fresh snow starts falling in Oslo, below you, the Oslo Fjord stretches out like a dark mirror, dotted with islands dusted in white.
That’s what I love about our capital – one minute, you’re sipping a craft cocktail at Himkok (just voted the world’s 17th best bar), and 20 minutes later, you’re skiing through silent forests.
Getting to do things like walking the Opera House roof and watching skaters glide across the harbor ice while sipping hot chocolate from Tim Wendelboe’s coffee shop is also a real perk.
EpicNomadLife Tip: Don’t miss the hidden gem, which is the Korketrekkeren toboggan run. Nothing beats sledding down this 2 km track with locals after work – just grab a sled from the metro station kiosk!
Must-Try Winter Experiences in Oslo
Winter Sauna Adventure at SALT: floating in a warm sauna barrel overlooking the Opera House as the sky turns pink. I love coming here, followed by a dip in the fjord (trust me, it’s exhilarating!).
Cross-Country Skiing: Head up to the Marka forest to do it yourself (you just take the tram for 20 minutes) or book a skilled ski instructor for a ski trip through crispy white trails in the Oslo forest.
Have Norwegian ribbe (pork rib) or pinnekjøtt (sheep) at one of the amazing restaurants in town.
These are two of the most popular Christmas dinners for Norwegians, and our best chefs make it their mission to present these dishes in the best way possible.
Bergen In December – My Favorite Coastal Winter Escape
From a corner table at Det Lille Kaffe Kompaniet in Bergen, you can watch the fishing boats bob in the harbor through foggy windows.
Yesterday’s snow may turn the seven mountains surrounding Bergen into powdered sugar peaks, so regardless of whether you have been here before, Bergen’s changing winter mood will get you every time.
The cobblestone alleys of Bryggen Wharf are quieter now, twinkling with fairy lights between rain or snow.
And you will not believe how different the fjords look in winter! The low sun turns the water into liquid gold, and the waterfalls are frozen into massive ice sculptures.
Between us? December is when you’ll catch the most spectacular sunsets from Mount Fløyen (choose your thickest down jacket for this one!).
What To Do In Bergen – Can’t-Miss Winter Activities
Winter Fjord Safari to Mostraumen: The heated flotation suits keep you toasty while you zoom past frozen waterfalls and spot sea eagles. Your guide always knows where to find the best photo spots. Around $145 per person.
Historic Bakery Hopping Tour: Browse the cozy Bergen’s oldest bakeries. You’ll sample traditional Christmas cookies, hear fun stories about Bergen’s history, and leave with a box of sweet treats. Around $110 per person.
Sunset Cable Car & Dinner: Take the new cable car up Mount Ulriken for a three-course traditional Christmas dinner at the mountain restaurant. The chef sources everything locally – the reindeer steak is incredible.
Time it right, and you’ll catch the sunset over the fjord below. Around $175 per person.
Also, there are plenty of top-rated places to stay in Bergen.
Tromsø In December – Where the Northern Lights Dance
Just wrapping up a Northern Lights tour with a photography group in Tromsø, you will return to the city cold and super happy with red cheeks, ready for a cozy dinner in one of the many restaurants in town.
Tromsø is stunning in December when the sun doesn’t rise at all, and the blue hour lasts all day, painting everything in surreal shades of indigo and light purple.
Have dinner at Skarven and plan tomorrow’s winter kayaking tour.
This will be a bit frisky, but it is also when you spot the most wildlife, up close and personal. It is worth it.
Things To Do In Tromso In December
Visit the iconic Ishavskatedralen: This cathedral in Tromsø is famous for its architectural design, nestled right by the start of the bridge, crossing over to the small island where the Tromsø city center is located.
Midnight Mass in Tromsø Old Church. Whether you are religious or not, attending a midnight mass in the old wooden church in the center of Tromsø is truly a magic experience!
Have a pint of local beer from the Mack Brewery. Tromsø is famous for its local beer, and you can get a taste in every serving establishment in the city – as well as by visiting the brewery and getting the full story.
Top-Rated Nature Tours In Tromso December
Ålesund In December – The Hidden Winter Gem
Sitting in my favorite Art Nouveau building turned cafe, watching snow dust the pastel facades of Ålesund’s harbor. Most tourists skip this town in winter – their loss! Yesterday, I guided a small group up the 418 steps to Aksla viewpoint.
The look on their faces when they saw the archipelago spread out below, islands floating in mist like something from a Norse myth… priceless.
This morning, I spotted three sea eagles hunting near Alnes Lighthouse.
December here feels like stepping into a different world – one where you can have a Michelin-worthy seafood feast at Apotekergata No. 5, then chase the Northern Lights from your hotel rooftop an hour later.
Local Favorites in December
Art Nouveau After Dark Tour: My architect friend Marta leads these evening walks through illuminated streets, sharing wild stories about the town’s rebuild after the 1904 fire. Around $85 per person.
Island Hopping & Seafood Safari: Take a small boat through the archipelago, learn traditional fishing methods, and cook your catch in a historic boathouse. Around $175 per person.
Winter Kayaking Adventure: Paddle through mirror-calm fjords surrounded by snow-capped peaks. Often spot seals this time of year. Your guide will know all the best spots for hot chocolate breaks! Around $135 per person.
Svalbard In December – The Real Arctic Experience
Text your friends from the world’s northernmost everything – hotel, bar, you name it (except the North Pole)!
Watch the northern lights through the panorama windows at Funktionærmessen.
Listen to your guide explaining why seeing a polar bear isn’t always actually on your wishlist (trust me, you want those magnificent beasts to keep their distance).
December in Svalbard is pure magic – total darkness means the aurora shows up at any time, and you can dog sled or go snowmobiling to hidden incredible ice caves (you will not find them without a local guide).
I can tell you that the silence in an ice cave is different and dense- it wraps around you like a blanket.
True story; I had to try twice to squeeze through the narrow opening to descend before my head agreed it was a good idea!
In Svalbard, you can also take a day or multi-day boat trip, and if you want a longer adventure, you might want to visit the abandoned Russian mining town of Pyramiden.
Fair warning: Svalbard in December isn’t for everyone – it’s raw, remote, and real. But if you’re anything like me, living to feel alive, that’s exactly why you’ll fall in love with it!
Ultimate Arctic Adventures – Things To Do Svalbard In December
Snowmobile Ice Cave Expedition: Join a small-group adventure to hidden ice caves. Sitting with the darkness in a vast ice cave in Svalbard will be an unforgettable experience. Around $225 per person.
Dog Sledding Under the Northern Lights: Join a local musher and their huskies for an amazing adventure. Your guides have been running dogs here for years and know every star in the polar night sky. Around $195 per person.
Ghost Town Photography Tour: Explore abandoned Soviet mining settlements by snowcat or boat. The way these places are frozen in time is haunting and beautiful. Around $255 per person.
Budget Considerations For Norway In December
As you may already know, Norway is not a cheap destination any time of year.
December is also a “high season” period, but you can still influence your budget by where you choose to stay and eat and what transport and experiences you choose.
As a rule of thumb, these numbers are a good starting point for planning your December visit to Norway.
- Accommodation: $150-400 per night
- Meals: $40-100 per day
- Activities: Set aside $500-1000 for experiences
- Transportation: $300-500 for internal travel
FAQ Norway In December
Is Norway Really That Dark in Winter?
Well, yes – and no. Living here my whole life, I can tell you it varies dramatically by location.
Oslo and Bergen get about six hours of daylight (9:30 AM – 3:30 PM), with this gorgeous golden light that photographers dream about.
Up in Tromsø? Total polar night in December, but it’s more like a beautiful blue twilight than pitch darkness. And remember, those long nights are perfect for Northern Lights hunting!
How Cold Does Norway Actually Get in Winter?
That depends. Coastal Norway is surprisingly mild! Bergen and Oslo typically hover between -2°C to +4°C (28-39°F), thanks to the Gulf Stream. I rarely need my heavy winter jacket in the cities.
But head inland or up north to places like Svalbard, and you’re looking at up to (or down to) -20°C (-4°F).
The real challenge here isn’t the actual cold – it’s the wet and wind. Pack waterproof boots, down jackets, and wool layers, and you’ll be fine!
Is December Expensive for Traveling in Norway?
December is actually a mix of high season and shoulder season in Norway (except Christmas week, which is high season), with hotel rates up to 30% lower than the peak summer season.
Expect to pay around $120-300 for a good hotel room and $25-70 for a nice dinner. Tours and activities are the budget-busters – that Northern Lights chase you’re eyeing? Probably $150-200.
EpicNomadLife Tip: My top money-saving advice is to book accommodation with a kitchen, cook some meals yourself, and choose public transport when you can.
Do I Need Special Insurance or Winter Driving Skills?
On this one, you have to consult your travel insurance company.
However, after watching countless foreigners (unfamiliar with driving in snowy winter conditions) struggle with winter driving, here’s my honest advice: stick to public transport in the cities – it’s usually reliable even in snowstorms.
Planning to explore rural areas? Book a flight, take the train, or choose organized tours unless you’re experienced with winter driving.
Norwegian mountain roads in December are no joke. And yes, always have travel insurance that covers more than just driving!
Wrap-Up 7 Best Reasons To Visit Norway In December
Planning a December trip to Norway in December isn’t just about seeing the destinations – it’s about experiencing a completely different way of life.
Yes, it’s dark. Yes, it’s cold.
But trust this local girl: December in Norway will give you stories to tell for years to come, photos that will make your Instagram followers jealous (if that matters), and memories that will warm your heart long after you’ve returned home.
Ready to embrace the Norwegian winter?
Pack your warmest sweater, bring your sense of adventure, brace yourself, and prepare for the winter experience of a lifetime. As we say in Norway, “Det finnes ikke dårlig vær, bare dårlige klær” – there’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing!
