Christmas Eve 2025
Date: December 24, 2025 (Wednesday)
Country: Norway Public Holidays
Description
Christmas Eve in Norway is the most important day of the Christmas period. It takes place on December 24 and is when people mark the arrival of Christmas with family and close friends in the home.
For many Norwegians the day has both religious and cultural meaning. Christians remember the birth of Jesus, and many others see it as a moment to pause, reflect, and enjoy time together at the year end.
The evening is often the central part of the day. Schools and workplaces usually close earlier or have a quiet rhythm, and the whole country shifts into a calm, festive mood that lasts through the night.
Christmas Eve helps people feel connected to family and to their cultural roots. It is a day for quiet joy, gratitude, and thinking about what matters most before the new year begins.
Traditions
On Christmas Eve many Norwegian families tidy the house and light lots of candles to make things cosy. The Christmas tree is often decorated that day and brought into the warm living room.
A big evening meal is usual. Common dishes are ribbe, pinnekjøtt or lutefisk in different regions. Rice porridge with a hidden almond is a fun custom for children who get a small prize if they find it.
After dinner families sing carols, exchange gifts and gather around the tree. Some people attend a short church service earlier or later and many watch the traditional Christmas TV shows together.
Children sometimes leave porridge for the nisse, a small household spirit, and families enjoy visiting with close relatives into the night.
Travel Tips
Shops, many restaurants, and museums often close early on Christmas Eve. Public transport runs but with reduced schedules, so check timetables in advance. Trains and airports are busy before the day, book tickets early and allow extra time for connections.
Join public events like city light walks or concerts, and book tickets ahead. Carry a charged phone, warm clothes, and some cash for small vendors. Respect quiet hours in neighborhoods, keep noise low, and follow local safety and fire rules near candles and candles in windows.