Month: December 2018

Guide to New Year’s Eve 2019 in Oslo – What to do, Where to eat, What you should know

Get the most out of your New Year in Oslo with our tips to events, restaurants and more.

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Fireworks by the Oslo Opera House. Photo: VisitOSLO / Nancy Bundt

Here’s a funny fact: Going out in Oslo on New Year’s Eve has gained popularity only during the recent years. In fact, the first public fireworks in Oslo was in 2008! Today,  Oslo has many options for those wanting to ring in the New Year in the city.

Fireworks
If you’re keen to see the fireworks, make sure you are in the Aker Brygge / Tjuvholmen or City Hall (Rådhuset) area. The best way to get there is with public transport: for example the tube to National Theatre station (the station is served by all metro/tube lines). From there it’s only some 5 minutes walk down to the waterfront where you’ll get the best view. Do note that private fireworks are not allowed.

Weather
As a rule of thumb, the colder it is, the clearer the sky gets… and the better for fireworks. But it also means that you want to add warming layers before you head out. Check the latest forecast at Yr website.

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Photo: VisitOSLO / Nancy Bundt

Transport
Ruter has service throughout the New Year. You’ll find more info on special timetables on the Ruter website or their app.

Vinmonopolet
Good news: all Vinmonopolet stores are open on New Year’s Eve (so you can get your bubbly), but they close earlier than normally. Check the opening hours of your store on the Vinmonopolet website.

Dining and going out
While some restaurants remain closed throughout the holidays, many have a special New Year’s events. As the offering is limited though, we recommend you book in advance. Here are some restaurants that have a special New Year’s menu or an event:

  • Olivia restaurants (several locations in Oslo, in terms of the fireworks the one in Tjuvholmen is recommended) serves a selection of their most popular dishes. Read more and book your table.
  • Restaurant Asia offers great Asian food and one of the best views of the fireworks. Read more and book your table.
  • Ekebergrestauranten has a special 4-course New Year’s Menu and probably the best view over the entire central Oslo, with its many fireworks. Read more and book.
  • Grand Café in the heart of the city center also has a special 4-course New Year’s menu. Read more and book.
  • Restaurant Festningen (“The Fortress”) offers panoramic views of Aker Brygge and Tjuvholmen, and a festive 4-course menu. Read more and book.
  • BAR Tjuvholmen, a restaurant and lounge bar, is also open on New Year’s Eve, and London-based DJ Ask is coming to keep guests going into the early hours. Table booking is required. Read more.

Looking for something fun to do on New Year’s Eve? How about relaxing in the sauna by the Oslo fjord? Check out culture hub SALT’s New Year’s event. 

Guide to Christmas in Oslo – Top 5 Things to Do

Planning on spending the holidays in Oslo? Check out our guide for best Christmas activities and what you need to know.

Are you planning or considering spending the holidays in Oslo? It’s a great time to visit the Norwegian capital, and experience snow, the cold dark evenings that make you crave for a cup of hot chocolate, and enjoy the seasonal attractions.

First a few practical things you might want to be aware of:

  • In Norway, Christmas celebration happens on Christmas Eve (yes, we’re that impatient). 
  • If you are one of those people that leave Christmas shopping literally to the last minute, do keep in mind that most shops are closed on the 24th, and remain closed on the 25th and 26th (your wallet will be grateful)
  • Only a few restaurants are open on Christmas Eve, and you are most likely going to find an open restaurant in a hotel
  • Public transport operates with limited service, however taxis operate throughout the holidays. For public transport, see Ruter’s Christmas service guide.
  • Many restaurants remain closed between Christmas and the beginning of January
  • Vinmonopolet, the only alcoholic beverage retailer in Norway, is open on the 22nd December and closed 23-26 December.

Here is our list of top 5 activities for Christmas time in Oslo

  1. Winter Wonderland in Oslo

    The Winter Wonderland Christmas Market in Spikersuppa, by Karl Johans gate.
    Put your balance to the test in the ice skating rink, enjoy a gorgeous view over the city from the top of the Ferris wheel, taste your way through the numerous stalls with all types of Christmas treats, warm up with a cup of hot mulled wine (which, ironically enough, is not part of the Norwegian Christmas tradition) and snap a few selfies in the season’s most Instagram friendly spot, the light tunnel, which you’ll find on the Stortingsgata side of the market. Free entry. Open until 30 December. Hours vary by day, check the day’s hours here.

  2. Christmas market at Bærums Verk

    Some 45-minute bus ride or a half an hour car ride from central Oslo takes you to Bærums Verk, a small village nestled in a valley by the river Lomma. It used to be the home of a factory producing metal castings, and is now a popular residential area with some 40+ shops, art galleries, a sculpture park, restaurants and cafes in the historical surroundings. There is a Christmas market until 23rd December and various Christmas activities suited for grown ups and especially families, such as a choir, horse riding and so on. Take the bus number 150 from Oslo, or the E18 towards Sandvika. Bærums Verk website (available only in Norwegian).
    Baerums Verk

  3. Christmas Cruise by the Oslo Fjord to Drøbak

    Another great way to get into Christmas spirit is a fjord cruise to Drøbak, a small, cosy costal town where you can visit Santa’s house. Many of the town’s old wooden houses date back as far as the 18th century, when the town established as a local hub for shipping and fishing. While Drøbak is a great destination for a summertime day trip, a cruise along the Oslo fjord is guaranteed to get you in festive spirit in no time. The cruise and a couple of hours in Drøbak takes approximately 5 hours. Cruises depart from Langaika (across the Opera house) until 30.12. Advance booking is recommended. Read more.

    Vision of the Fjords
    Vision of the Fjords, the hybrid ferry, pictured by the Akershus fortress in Oslo.

    Engebret Cafe
    Engebret Cafe.

  4. Traditional Norwegian Christmas platter (juletallerken)

    In case you’re wondering what Norwegians eat for Christmas, there really is no national consensus. Lamb or mutton is popular In the West and North of Norway (dish called pinnekjøtt), while in the East you’ll likely see ribs. But what’s even more popular before Christmas is a traditional Christmas platter “juletallerken”, which is essentially a little bit of everything, typically sausages, ribs, braised red cabbage, potatoes, meat cakes and gravy. You’ll find juletallerken in many traditional restaurants, but Bristol Grill  and Engebret Cafe are among the local’s favourites. Wondering what to drink with your Christmas platter? Try aquavit (akevitt), a Scandinavian distilled spirit for a classic pairing with your meal.

    Julelunsj Engebret
    Christmas platter at Engebret Café. Photo: DN.

  5. Christmas Concerts in Oslo

    What would Christmas be without appropriate music? It’s busy days for music fans as there are several concerts around the city each day. Oslo Philharmonic Christmas concerts are among the most popular (find available tickets here), but there are options for each taste. Check out upcoming concerts here.