Norsk Folkemuseum Christmas Fair 2026

Norsk Folkemuseum is an open-air museum with historic buildings from all over Norway. At Christmas, the houses are decorated and hosts in period costume welcome you in. Here’s how to make the most of your visit.

• Step inside the decorated houses: Wander through houses decorated for Christmas as it was celebrated in different periods and in different parts of Norway. Chat with the hosts in period costume or regional dress (bunad), who bring each home to life.
• Watch the folk dancing: Norsk Folkemuseum’s dance group performs traditional Norwegian folk dances in Setesdal costumes (bunader), at 12:30 and 14:00 at Friluftsteateret (the open-air theatre).
• Browse the market stalls: Find handmade gifts among more than 100 market stalls spread around the museum.
• Taste lefse: Try freshly baked lefse, a thin Norwegian flatbread, served straight from the griddle in the eldhus buildings (old kitchen houses) in Numedal and Telemark.
• See how Christmas beer is brewed: Learn how Christmas ale is made and taste the wort (unfermented beer) in the eldhus in Hardangertunet.
• Visit Gol Stave Church: This stunning stave church, built in the 13th century, is open to visitors during the Advent gathering, 13:30–13:50 (in Norwegian). You can also see it from the outside all day.

• How long should I allow for a visit?
  We recommend 2–3 hours for the main highlights, but you are welcome to stay longer.
• Is the program available in English?
  Everything except the Christmas talks, the children’s theatre and the Advent gathering is available in both Norwegian and English. All our staff speak English.
• Do I need to buy a ticket in advance?
  No, but we recommend it so you can skip the queue at the entrance.
• How much does a ticket cost, and what is included?
  Children aged 0–17 enter free. Adults pay NOK 200. (Discounts for students, seniors, Oslo Pass holders) All experiences are included, except the horse and carriage ride, Santa’s workshop and the raffle. Food, drink and goods in the market stalls cost extra.
• How do I get to the Christmas fair?
  We recommend traveling by public transport. A free shuttle bus runs continuously from Skøyen train station during opening hours, and bus 30 has extra departures every five minutes from Jernbanetorget (Oslo Central Station). Both stop outside the main entrance. You can also take the Bygdøy ferry from Rådhuskaia to Dronningen (15 minutes), or walk or cycle through the countryside (about 15 minutes from Bygdøylokket).
• Can I drive to the Christmas fair?
  We recommend leaving the car at home. Bygdøy has narrow roads, and many visitors arrive at the same time. There is no parking available at the museum, except for accessible parking at the main entrance for visitors with a valid disabled parking permit.
• What should I wear?
  Dress warmly and wear sturdy shoes, as most of the program is outdoors. 
• Is there somewhere I can go indoors to warm up?
  Yes. You can warm up at the Visitor Centre and the Exhibition Hall, and in our heated lavvo (tent) at Karterud café.
• Is the Christmas fair suitable for wheelchair users and people with reduced mobility?
  The open-air museum has wide gravel paths in most areas, but some parts are steep, and the Old Town has cobblestones. Unfortunately, access to the historic houses is limited. The Visitor Centre, the exhibitions at Torget (with a lift) and Trøndelagstunet have good accessibility and accessible toilets. Accessible parking is available outside the main entrance.
• Where can I buy food and drink?
  You can find food and drink in several places around the open-air museum: Karterud, Kafé Arkadia, Trøndelagstunet, Piperviken, Santa’s Farmstead (Christmas porridge), the lefse baking and the Bethlehem meeting house (coffee).
• Can I bring my dog?
  Yes, dogs on a lead are welcome outdoors in the open-air museum, but not inside buildings or exhibitions. (Guide dogs are allowed everywhere.) Please note that the Christmas fair is crowded and full of impressions, so consider whether your dog will enjoy it.
• Can we go inside the stave church?
  Only during the Advent gathering, 13:30–13:50. You can see the church from the outside for the rest of the day.