Christmas wishes for in-laws USA families love to send at the holidays carry warmth, gratitude, and a little American cheer. Whether you are writing to your mother-in-law in Texas, your father-in-law in Ohio, or your brother-in-law and sister-in-law across the country, the right words can make the family dinner feel even closer. This list brings together heartfelt, funny, and short messages made for American homes, snowy mornings, and long drives home for Christmas. In-laws become family in the truest sense at Christmas. They welcome you to the table, share treasured recipes, cheer for the same football team, and help trim the tree. A thoughtful wish thanks them for that welcome and tells them how much their love means through the year. Use these 45 wishes in a card, a text, a holiday letter, or a toast at the table. Pick one that fits your family, add a personal line about a shared memory, and send it early so it arrives before the turkey is carved and the eggnog is poured. Last up...
Christmas in Oslo is pure Nordic magic: fairy lights glittering on snow-dusted rooftops, the scent of gløgg (Norwegian mulled wine) drifting through Jul markets, and a waterfront glowing against the dark fjord. Norway's capital takes the season seriously — markets open from mid-November, and the city blends Viking-era food traditions with cutting-edge design markets.
Whether you're hunting for hand-knit sweaters at Jul i Vinterland, skating under the stars at Frognerparken, or tasting ribbe (crispy pork ribs) at a candlelit julebord, Oslo rewards visitors who embrace the cold. As the Norwegians say: God Jul! Here are the 15 best things to do at Christmas in Oslo in 2026.
Last updated: September 22, 2026
Jump to:
- Jul Markets & Christmas Shopping
- Lights, Views & Winter Scenery
- Norwegian Christmas Food & Drink
- Winter Fun & Christmas Culture
- Festive Day Trips
- Christmas in Oslo: FAQs
Jul Markets & Christmas Shopping
Oslo's Christmas markets are the beating heart of the season — wooden stalls, handcrafted gifts, and plenty of hot gløgg.
1. Jul i Vinterland at Spikersuppa
The city's biggest Christmas market, Jul i Vinterland, runs from mid-November along Karl Johan. Browse cozy wooden stalls, ride the Ferris wheel, and skate the free rink. Entry is free — visit on a weekday to dodge crowds.
2. Christmas Market at Norsk Folkemuseum
The open-air Norwegian Museum of Cultural History at Bygdøy hosts its Christmas fair over the first two weekends of December: traditional Christmas across the centuries, decoration workshops, and folk entertainment.
3. Unique Gifts at Youngstorget & Design Markets
Find real local crafts at Youngstorget market and the indie design fairs at SALT and Sentralen.
Lights, Views & Winter Scenery
With only a few hours of daylight in December, Oslo compensates with spectacular illumination. Bundle up and chase the glow.
4. Stroll the Lights of Karl Johans Gate
Oslo's main high street becomes a canyon of light each December — thousands of bulbs strung between historic buildings from the Central Station to the Royal Palace. Go at dusk, then warm up with hot chocolate at a grand old café.
5. Ride Up to Holmenkollen
The iconic Holmenkollen ski jump towers over the city, surrounded by snow-laden pines. Take the metro up for panoramic fjord views.
6. Walk the Opera House Roof at Sunset
The Oslo Opera House rises from the fjord like a glacier, and its sloped marble roof stays open in winter. Climb up as the sun dips below the horizon, then catch a Christmas concert or ballet inside.
Norwegian Christmas Food & Drink
Norwegian Christmas food is hearty, old-fashioned, and delicious. Book restaurants in advance.
7. Taste Ribbe, Pinnekjøtt & Lutefisk
Norway's Christmas dinner debate is legendary: the east swears by ribbe (crispy pork ribs), the west by pinnekjøtt (salted lamb ribs). Adventurous eaters try lutefisk (lye-cured cod), then finish with risengrynsgrøt — rice porridge hiding a lucky almond.
8. Book a Traditional Julebord
Julebord means "Christmas table" — a festive feast with friends and colleagues, cold buffets, aquavit, and plenty of God Jul toasts.
9. Sip Gløgg & Nibble Pepperkaker
Every market serves gløgg, Scandinavian mulled wine, often with pepperkaker — thin, spiced ginger biscuits. Bring tins home as gifts; they taste like Christmas in Oslo in biscuit form.
Winter Fun & Christmas Culture
Osloans don't hibernate — they skate, sled, and sauna all December. Join them.
10. Ice Skate at Frognerparken
Vigeland Park is magical under snow, and its free outdoor rink is a local favorite. Bring skates or rent nearby.
11. Sled the Korketrekkeren Toboggan Run
Twenty minutes from the center, the 2-km Korketrekkeren ("corkscrew") run is Oslo's best winter thrill — rent a sled at the top and race down through the forest.
12. Visit the Nobel Peace Center
The Nobel Peace Prize is awarded in Oslo every December 10th. The Peace Center at Aker Brygge tells the laureates' stories — visit during prize season.
13. Catch a Christmas Concert or Ballet
Carol concerts, the Nutcracker ballet, festive opera — December is peak performance season. Few experiences beat carols sung in Norwegian under candlelight.
14. Warm Up in a Fjord Sauna
Floating saunas dot the Oslo fjord, and the brave combine a steamy session with a plunge into icy water. It's a uniquely Scandinavian winter ritual — and the perfect reset after a day in the cold.
Festive Day Trips
You can reach Christmas-card countryside in under an hour from the center. This little town is worth the ride.
15. Day Trip to Drøbak
Forty minutes by bus, the fjord town of Drøbak — home of Julenissen, the Norwegian Santa — hosts a lovely Christmas market plus a Christmas shop open all year. White wooden houses and fjord views make it a perfect half-day escape.
Christmas in Oslo: FAQs
When is the best time to visit Oslo for Christmas?
Mid-November to December 23rd. Jul i Vinterland opens mid-November, the Folkemuseum market runs the first two December weekends, and most markets close on Christmas Eve (julaften).
Is there snow in Oslo at Christmas?
Very likely — lasting snow usually arrives by mid-December, and white Christmases are common. Pack a thick coat, gloves, and warm boots; temperatures often sit between -5°C and 5°C.
What is Jul i Vinterland?
Oslo's largest Christmas market, at Spikersuppa along Karl Johan. Entry is free, with wooden stalls, a Ferris wheel, ice skating, Santa's residence, and gingerbread workshops.
What Norwegian foods should I try at Christmas?
Ribbe, pinnekjøtt, lutefisk, risengrynsgrøt, pepperkaker, and plenty of hot gløgg.
How do you say Merry Christmas in Norwegian?
God Jul! — pronounced roughly "goo YOOL."
Is Oslo worth visiting in December?
Absolutely. Lights, outstanding markets, and skating, sledding, and sauna culture make Oslo one of Europe's most atmospheric Christmas destinations.
More Christmas Inspiration
Keep exploring Scandinavian Christmas:
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