Norwegian Christmas

Juletid (Christmas time) is a celebration of traditions and family in Norway. With the fall of winter snow and the wonderful displays of Northern Lights, Norwegians sit round their fire places, dance around the Christmas tree, enjoy rich food and share julefryd (Christmas cheer) with family, friends and in their communities. At this special time of year we are happy to share the Norwegian Christmas with you. We hope you will celebrate with us by having a little bit of Norway in your Christmas.

Below is a link list of over 100 Christmas posts – recipes, activities and stories on this blog. Most of them are from the legacy website started in 2008, and more are added every season.

Open Bakery Frydenlund

One of my favourite coffee bakeries in Oslo city is Open Bakery Fryenlund. It has that old 19th Century style with bread hanging on the wall, dark wooden panels and even a spiral staircase to a top balcony. And the coffee? Some of the best I have had in the city – dark, rich and flavoursome.

Trolls

Trolls in Norway are small, magical creatures that live in hiding. There are some in the barn, some in the trees and some in the mountains. They are tricksters and like to play games on the humans that live close by. On Christmas Day it is custom to leave out a bowl of grøt and some beer for the barn elf so he will continue to keep an eye on the animals and not play tricks on you, such as hiding your slippers.

Broken Angel at Aker Brygge

In early November the afternoon sun is low in the sky in Oslo. It is a beautiful time to walk around the city and see all the statues in a new light. This one has always drawn me in… I can’t help but stop to admire the work every time I’m walking along the docks.

Store Front on Øvre Slottsgate

Wandering the streets in Oslo, sometimes you come across a store front that is right out of a story book. This high street bric-a-brac store was all dressed for Autumn in November.

Sunset At The End Of The Docks

At the end of the docks at Aker Brygge in Oslo sits a gallery surrounded by restaurants. Between the glass buildings is a view of the fjord. That is always where I’m heading!

The Opera House from Across the Dock

This is a usual image of Oslo. I have always thought this view to be cold and distant. It has a beak futuristic tone, which you see in many Hollywood movies set in Europe. Tennet was filmed here and the opera house is part of the artistic poster for the film. But, when you view the house from the other way you see the fjord and beautiful sun sets.

Yellow Fortress

The Aker Brygge docks face the Akershus Fortress. The diners on the cold side of the wharf do not see the sunset, but its reflection on the stone walls of the building across the water.

Sidewalk Of Karl Johans in Oslo

Karl Johans gate is the street that runs from Oslo station through the centre of the city right up to the Royal Palace. It is rare to find it as vacant, but in these times it is wise to expect the unexpected.

The Mutiny of Democracy

If you wander around St Hanshaugen you’ll find many unique boutique stores in the most unsuspecting of places. One of my favourites is a little art gallery by Mytteriet av demokratiet. These guys make pop culture art pieces for the serious art collector. They are very welcoming and you can watch them create in the gallery.

Favourite Retro Street Art

Below Akershus Fortress along the docks there are various sculptures and street art works. This is one of my favourites – a poster-style formate, it resembles a retro magazine cover.

Graffiti Near the Homeless Hostel

Sometimes I walked past a Salvation Army homeless hostel in Grønland. The people hanging outside were as vibrant as the streets. The hostel is now gone, hopefully just moved, only the graffiti art remains.

Table Tennis in Grünerløkka

Outdoor Third Spaces are very popular in the summertime in Oslo. Especially on Saturdays, this table tennis park in trendy Grünerløkka, Oslo, is full of activity with people from all over the community coming together to play.

Masks Above The Docks

At the docks in downtown Oslo, many old sailing ships moor. People are free to walk between them and admire the beautiful crafted wood and the lines and lines of rope.

Warm Wall

This wall is warm, really warm. On a cold day in autumn we were passing and saw the crawling plant still green and growing. On touching the wall our hands melted and it wasn’t long before we were leaning against it to have a quick warm up before moving onto a cafe. I think this wall is part of the new Oslo gallery, but can’t be sure – google maps hasn’t filled in the blank space yet.