Christmas in Bergen 2026: What's Open, What's Closed and How Norwegians Celebrate
Planning to spend Christmas in Bergen? Here's everything you need to know about Christmas opening hours, festive attractions, restaurants and Norwegian Christmas traditions.
Christmas in Bergen is a wonderful time of year. The streets are decorated with lights, Christmas markets fill the city centre, the smell of roasted almonds and festive food drifts through the streets, and there's a lovely atmosphere throughout November and December.
But there's something visitors need to understand about Christmas in Norway:
Christmas Eve is the big day, and once lunchtime arrives, Bergen starts to shut down.
Unlike in some other countries, where Christmas Day is the main celebration, Norwegians traditionally celebrate on the evening of 24 December. Families head home, shops close, restaurants reduce their hours or shut completely, and the city becomes remarkably quiet.
So, if you're visiting Bergen over Christmas, here's what you need to know.
When does Bergen Christmas Market open in 2026?
One of the highlights of Christmas in Bergen is the annual Bergen Christmas Market at Festplassen, right in the heart of the city.
In 2026, the market opens on Friday 20 November and runs until Tuesday 22 December.
Opening hours:
Monday–Friday: 12:00–21:00
Saturday–Sunday: 10:00–21:00
Entry to the Christmas Market is free, although individual attractions, including the rides, require tickets.
You'll find Christmas stalls selling handmade gifts, Norwegian treats, food and drinks, along with festive entertainment, a Ferris wheel and plenty of opportunities to enjoy the Christmas atmosphere.
It's a great place to spend an afternoon or evening, particularly when the city lights are glowing.
Billy's tip: Don't leave your Christmas Market visit until Christmas Eve. The market closes for the season on 22 December.
Pepperkakebyen – Bergen's famous Gingerbread City
If there's one Christmas attraction you shouldn't miss in Bergen, it's Pepperkakebyen.
Bergen is home to the world's largest gingerbread town, and it's a tradition that has been running since 1991.
Every year, thousands of people, including schools, kindergartens, businesses and local residents, contribute their own gingerbread creations.
The result is an incredible miniature Christmas town featuring houses, churches, castles, bridges and even some rather unusual buildings.
It's a wonderful attraction for children and adults alike.
Pepperkakebyen 2026/2027
Opens: Saturday 14 November 2026
Closes: Sunday 10 January 2027
Location: byROMMET, Kong Oscars gate 24–26.
Regular opening hours:
Monday–Friday: 09:00–21:00
Saturday: 09:00–20:00
Sunday: 10:00–19:00
Special Christmas opening hours:
Christmas Eve, 24 December: 09:00–13:00
Christmas Day, 25 December: Closed
Boxing Day, 26 December: 13:00–18:00
New Year's Eve, 31 December: 11:00–15:00
New Year's Day, 1 January: Closed
Admission:
Adults: 199 NOK
Students: 149 NOK
Children aged 3–15: 49 NOK at weekends
Children under 16: Free on weekdays.
It's definitely worth adding to your Bergen Christmas itinerary.
What happens in Bergen on Christmas Eve?
This is where things get a little different from what many international visitors might be used to.
In Norway, Christmas Eve (Julaften) is the main celebration.
For many Norwegians, 24 December starts like a normal working day, although usually a much shorter one.
Offices and workplaces often finish around lunchtime, sometimes earlier. People head home, finish their last preparations, get changed into their finest clothes and spend the afternoon with family.
By early afternoon, the city is becoming very quiet.
Most shops close by 13:00, although individual opening times vary. Many cafés, restaurants and other businesses close for the day, too.
The main Christmas celebrations generally take place at home.
A traditional Norwegian Christmas Eve often includes:
Christmas dinner, usually ribbe (roast pork belly) or pinnekjøtt (salted and dried lamb ribs).
Riskrem, a traditional rice dessert served with red berry sauce.
Opening Christmas presents, usually after dinner.
Watching traditional Christmas television programmes.
Spending the evening with family.
Some families also attend a Christmas Eve church service before returning home for dinner.
If you're visiting Bergen, don't expect a busy city centre on Christmas Eve evening. It's one of the quietest nights of the year.
Christmas Day and Boxing Day in Bergen
Christmas Day (25 December) and Boxing Day (26 December) are public holidays in Norway.
Most shops, supermarkets and shopping centres are closed on both days.
Many restaurants also close, although some hotel restaurants and selected independent restaurants continue to serve guests.
It's worth checking restaurant opening hours before making plans. Don't assume your usual favourite will be open.
Public transport operates on holiday schedules, so check Skyss before travelling.
The good news is that Bergen is still a lovely place to explore. You can enjoy the decorated streets, walk around Bryggen, take in the harbour views or head up Mount Fløyen, weather permitting.
Just remember that finding somewhere to eat can take a little planning.
Restaurant opening hours over Christmas 2026
If you're hoping to eat out during Christmas, this is probably the most important section of this guide.
Restaurants in Bergen operate very different schedules over the festive period.
Some close for several days, others open for selected evenings, while hotel restaurants and a handful of independent venues continue operating.
Based on the restaurant opening-hour information we've collected for Bergen, here's what you should know:
20–23 December
Most restaurants are still operating, although some begin reducing their hours or closing for their Christmas break.
Christmas Eve – 24 December
Many restaurants are closed. A small number offer limited opening hours, often for pre-booked Christmas meals.
Christmas Day – 25 December
Most independent restaurants are closed. Hotel restaurants are among the better options to investigate.
Boxing Day – 26 December
Some restaurants begin reopening, but opening hours remain very mixed.
27–30 December
More restaurants gradually return to normal service, although some remain closed throughout the Christmas period.
New Year's Eve – 31 December
Some restaurants offer special New Year's Eve dinners, while others operate reduced hours or remain closed.
New Year's Day – 1 January
Expect another quiet day, with many businesses closed.
I've also put together a restaurant opening-hours guide covering 20 December 2026 through to 3 January 2027. This is particularly useful if you're planning to eat out during your stay.
Please check directly with individual restaurants before visiting, as schedules can change.
You can see in the image below all the red in the picture is when restaurants and bars are CLOSED over the festive season. Some stayed closed al the way through.
What about shopping and supermarkets?
If you're planning to do some Christmas shopping in Bergen, it's worth knowing when the shops close.
From 15–23 December, most city-centre shops have extended opening hours:
Weekdays: Generally until 20:00.
Shopping centres: Generally until 21:00.
Saturdays: Generally until 18:00.
Sundays: Most shops are closed, although selected shops and shopping centres open on the three Sundays before Christmas.
In 2026, those shopping Sundays are 6, 13 and 20 December.
Christmas shopping dates to remember:
23 December: Last full shopping day before Christmas Eve.
24 December: Most shops close by 13:00.
25 December: Closed.
26 December: Closed.
31 December: Most shops close by 16:00.
1 January: Closed.
Supermarkets also close early on Christmas Eve and remain closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
My advice? Don't leave your food shopping until Christmas Eve afternoon. Get your supplies in early, particularly if you're staying in an apartment or self-catering accommodation.
Norwegian Christmas traditions you might not know about
Christmas in Norway is about much more than presents and decorations. There are some lovely traditions that make the festive season special.
Julebord – the Norwegian Christmas party
During November and December, workplaces, friends and organisations arrange their annual julebord.
These are traditional Christmas dinners and parties, often featuring Norwegian Christmas food, drinks and plenty of socialising.
You'll notice restaurants and bars getting particularly busy during this period.
Ribbe and pinnekjøtt
These are the two big Christmas dinner favourites in Norway.
Ribbe is roasted pork belly with crispy crackling, usually served with potatoes, sausages, sauerkraut and other accompaniments.
Pinnekjøtt is dried and salted lamb ribs, traditionally steamed over birch sticks.
Which one is best? Well, that's a debate that can divide Norwegian families!
The Christmas tree
Christmas trees are a big part of Norwegian celebrations. Families traditionally decorate their trees before Christmas Eve, often with lights, ornaments and Norwegian decorations.
Little Christmas traditions
You'll also see plenty of Norwegian Christmas gnomes, known as nisser, throughout Bergen.
The traditional Norwegian nisse is a little character with a red hat and a long beard. You'll find them in shops, homes and Christmas decorations all over the city.
Christmas television
Norwegians have several much-loved Christmas television traditions, including watching familiar Christmas programmes and films with family.
For many households, these are just as much a part of Christmas as the dinner itself.
Visiting Bergen between Christmas and New Year?
Don't let the quieter Christmas period put you off visiting Bergen.
There is still plenty to enjoy, particularly if you like walking, photography and exploring the city without the usual crowds.
Some suggestions:
Walk around the historic Bryggen waterfront.
Explore the narrow streets of Nordnes.
Take the Fløibanen funicular up Mount Fløyen if operating.
Visit Pepperkakebyen on Boxing Day or during the days between Christmas and New Year.
Enjoy the winter atmosphere around Lille Lungegårdsvann.
Look for restaurants that have reopened after Christmas.
Just remember that some attractions and businesses have reduced holiday schedules, so check before setting off.
My advice if you're spending Christmas in Bergen
Christmas in Bergen is genuinely special, but it's important to plan ahead.
If you're visiting for the first time, I'd recommend enjoying the Christmas Market, visiting Pepperkakebyen and doing your shopping before 23 December.
If you're staying over Christmas Eve, make sure you have food and drink ready at your accommodation, and don't rely on finding an open supermarket or restaurant at the last minute.
And if you're staying until New Year, remember that 1 January is another public holiday.
The biggest thing to remember is this: Christmas in Norway is about spending time with family. When Christmas Eve arrives, the city takes a well-earned break.
Enjoy the lights, the food, the traditions and the atmosphere. Bergen really is a lovely place to experience Christmas.
God jul from Bergen!
Billy
Opening hours are based on published 2025 information and collected restaurant schedules. Individual businesses can change their hours, so always check directly before visiting.
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