More Than a Christmas Shopping: Julemarked - The Nordic Page

22.12.2011 - Oslo

More Than a Christmas Shopping: Julemarked

As Christmas approaches, prepare to enjoy the many Julemarked (Christmas markets) all around Norway. Associations, clubs, school choirs, museums, galleries and farms arrange their own Christmas markets where they sell unique, handmade products at accompanying special activities and events.

Photo : Alexander Klanderud | These markets originated in Germany, Austria, South Tyrol and Alsace but are now being held in many other northern European countries. Many people go to Julemarked to buy Christmas gifts, Christmas food and decorations of various kinds.

Winter markets were a common tradition in Norway even before Christmas became a holiday. Many farms today sell their goods such as organic jams, home-knitted sweaters, home-made soap and herbs at these markets. Artists, both professional and amateur also use these opportunities to exhibit and sell their pieces of art. Often you can purchase paintings, glass art, pottery and jewelry in addition to specially designed clothes. The most exotic part of every market is the blending smell of mulled wine, Christmas pudding, gingerbread cookies and holiday donuts.

With all they have to offer, Christmas markets are a unique place to experience a pleasant and even old-fashioned Norwegian Christmas spirit, while finding unique and original Christmas gifts.

In the Oslo region alone, more and more Christmas markets have popped up recently. On Youngsstorget, there has been a huge Christmas market throughout December; this market has been Oslo's largest. The National Museum of Bygdøy also organizes child-friendly Christmas markets on weekends in December, with Santa Claus workshops and market stalls.

Among all traditional markets, Designers' Christmas market in Grünerløkka provides a different experience on Saturdays and Sundays in December.

Christmas Market in Oslo and Akershus

Christmas at the Skjerven Farm

10-11. December

Christmas market at Skjerven farm has something for the whole family, with many activities for children including sheep shearing, the Christmas story and home-made cakes for sale.

You can also find a range of patchwork, crafts, Nordmark Honey from the farm, Christmas decorations of the highest class, porcelain, wood carvings, pottery, and knitting products.

Skjerven gård Maridalsvn. 469 0890 Oslo

Telefon: 22 23 40 29

Christmas Market at the Norwegian Folk Museum

3, 4, 10 and 11 December between 11.00 – 16.00

In the first two weekends in December, the Norwegian Folk Museum invites you to the big Christmas market with Christmas decorated living rooms, market stalls, Christmas workshop, dance, concerts and family entertainment. Last year 25,000 people visited this market in four days.

The Designers' Christmas Market

Saturday 3 December: 10:00 - 18:00 Sunday 4 December: 10:00 - 18:00

At the Designers' Christmas market you can meet exhibitors from home and abroad. Here you will find jewelry, artwork, clothing, furniture, lamps and much more.

DogA, Hausmannsgate 16, 0182 Oslo

Christmas Market at Tøyen Hovergård

26. November at 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

This is an outdoor market with stalls in the courtyard of farm buildings in Tøyen Hovedgård, built in the Botanical Garden. Exhibitors sell handicraft products of many kinds.

Take the opportunity to buy unique and homemade Christmas gifts - and to experience the unique historic environment of Tøyen Hovedgård!

Sars gate 1 0562 OSLO

Christmas in Bærums Verk

Weekly on Saturday, Sunday, from 26 November - 18 December 2011

Christmas street in Bærums Verk is open every Saturday and Sunday until Christmas Eve. Christmas street is an old-fashioned Christmas market featuring a farmers market, reindeer, horse and sleigh and entertainment.

Farmers' Christmas Market in Birkelunden

10. December 11.00-16.00

The Farmer's Market is the place to buy food directly from the farm or manufacturer. Here you can find great Christmas foods, and unique gifts for family and friends!