Originally, "Jul" was the term for the heden winter solstice celebration in ancient Norway. People celebrated the return of the sunlight. Norwegian sagas from around the year 1000 tell us about "stormenn" who gave presents to their servants at "jul" and invited them to eat and drink. It was a celebration that took many days.

When Norway became a Christian country, the term "jul" and many traditions along with it survived. At Christmas time, you can meet many of these traditions in the Oslo Region. You have a choice of Christmas markeds, both cosy old fashioned ones and newer designers markeds where you can find presents for your familiy and friends and souvenirs for yourself. Many restaurants serve traditional "julemat", and invite you to try and taste "lutefisk" or "rakfisk" or "pinnekjøtt". In Oslo, you can try our special Christmas offers, Christmas walks and winter cruises.

So: why not take an early winter break and give it a wonderful and cosy Norwegian Christmas touch?
Visit the Oslo Region with its great variety of winter activites and meet "Julenissen" at the same time.

God Jul! Merry Christmas!