Whit Monday 2025
Date: June 9, 2025 (Monday)
Country: Norway Public Holidays
Description
Whit Monday, called andre pinsedag in Norwegian, is a public holiday in Norway. It follows Pentecost Sunday and falls on the day after Pentecost each year. The date changes because it depends on Easter.
Pentecost happens fifty days after Easter, so Whit Monday is also fifty days after Easter. This means the holiday moves around on the calendar every year, usually in late spring or early summer.
The holiday has a Christian meaning. It marks the time when Christians believe the Holy Spirit came to the apostles, helping them speak and spread their message. This event is often seen as the beginning of the Christian church.
For many people in Norway, Whit Monday is significant because it is a day for rest, reflection, and community. As an official public holiday, schools and many workplaces are closed, giving families and communities a shared day in which to observe the meaning of the day.
Traditions
On Whit Monday in Norway families often spend the day outdoors. They head to cabins, parks, or the seaside to walk, hike, or row boats. Children play games, fly kites, and enjoy long, slow mornings with family.
Many people gather for picnics or barbecue. Typical foods are open sandwiches, grilled sausages, fresh bread, waffles with jam and sour cream, and coffee with cake. Local berries or a light fruit dessert are common in spring weather.
Some attend a church service or a short community gathering with singing. Others visit relatives, tidy cabins, or simply relax together. The day is calm, focused on being with family and enjoying nature and good food.
Travel Tips
Many shops, banks and some museums close or have shorter hours. Trains and buses may run a reduced holiday schedule. Check timetables online the day before, and plan for crowded trains to parks, ferries and tourist sites.
Bring layers and good shoes for outdoor walks. Book tickets in advance for museums or attractions that stay open. Carry a charged phone, local transport app and a bank card. Be respectful of quiet areas, follow signs, and keep a safe distance in crowded places.