Christmas spirit has arrived in Hardanger. Here you'll find a complete overview of Christmas markets, concerts, Christmas theatre and other festive experiences across our region.
Advent in Hardanger is something truly its own. As fresh snow settles along the mountainsides and the villages light their Christmas decorations, the whole region fills with gatherings large and small.
Here in Hardanger, you’ll find everything from intimate Christmas concerts in historic venues and local culture houses to markets where regional producers share the best flavors and traditions of the area—warm baked goods, apple juice, woodcraft, textiles, and small handmade gifts perfect for placing under the tree, and much more.
This is the season when the small encounters and close-up moments shine brightest. That’s why we’ve gathered this year’s Christmas events from across the region—so you can easily find everything happening in November and December.
Galleri Guddal fills its rooms with Christmas art by six artists working in glass, ceramics, printmaking and photography. There's festive atmosphere out on the Guddalstunet farmyard too, so a trip into the Guddal valley can easily become a whole afternoon. Click here for more information.
Rosendal gets into the Christmas spirit when the car park by the department store becomes a decorated market under cover. Expect local crafts and food, an art exhibition by children, activities for the little ones, and singing and music. Click here for more information.
Strandebarm sports hall fills with festive cheer when Lions Club Strandebarm hosts its Christmas market. Shop for local food and crafts, sit down in the café and say hello to Santa. Open 11:00–15:00. Click here for more information.
Christmas fair at Elvatun 28 November – Ulvik
The Elvatun community hall in Ulvik opens its doors for a Christmas fair hosted by Ulvik Bygdekvinnelag, the local rural women's association. Open 11:00–14:30. Click here for more information.
The centre of Eidfjord gets into the festive spirit when the Christmas market comes to the village. Open 12:00–15:00. Click here for more information.
Advent arrives in Røldal when the Christmas fair opens its doors at the community hall. Exhibitors from near and far sell everything from crafts to local food, and the Røldal school band plays. The kitchen serves traditional porridge, home baking and other treats, and there's a raffle with prizes drawn at the end of the day. The fair is hosted by Røldal Bygdekvinnelag and Røldal Kvinne- og familielag. Click here for more information.
The quay and park in Øystese fill with around 50 stalls selling handicrafts and food. There are activities for children, pony rides, a Christmas raffle and fire pits to warm up by. At 16:50 a torchlight procession sets off from the park to Kabuso art centre, where the lighting of the Christmas street begins at 17:00. Open 12:00–17:00, free entry. Click here for more information.
Beneath the surface of the Hardangerfjord live corals, sponges and fish – and this year they get their own gingerbread village at the Folgefonna Centre in Rosendal. The village celebrates the new marine protected area in the outer Hardangerfjord, and anyone can contribute buildings, garlands and creatures until 3 December. The village opens on Thursday 4 December, 17:00–18:00, with hot chocolate for sale. Click here for more information.
Kulturnaustet, the boathouse venue at the Hardanger Ship Preservation Centre, fills with jazz as Osøren Jazzensemble celebrates 50 years at a concert hosted by Lydia. The band plays traditional Dixieland, seasoned with well-loved Christmas songs. 17:00–19:00. Click here for more information.
Three tenors and a pianist take the stage at Kabuso art centre, moving from Christmas classics to Sinatra, Elvis, Bach and Handel. A concert for anyone who needs a breather in the middle of the Christmas rush. Starts at 18:00. Click here for more information.
Bring the family into the Christmas fairy tale as Grand Kyiv Ballet performs Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker at the Husnes cultural centre. In this new production, light becomes part of the story. Recommended for children aged five and up. Starts at 18:00. Click here for more information.
Odda fills with Christmas spirit when the Christmas market takes over Camp Lothepus by the Sørfjorden for four days. Look forward to around 100 exhibitors with local food, crafts, art and Christmas gifts, a free outdoor ice rink under the Christmas lights, a giant Christmas tree and activities for the whole family. Adults NOK 100, children under 15 free. Click here for more information.
The old man and his cat would love a visit from Santa – and that calls for an invention. Based on Sven Nordqvist's much-loved Pettson and Findus books, this Christmas play at the Husnes cultural centre is for the whole family. Starts at 18:00. Click here for more information.
Olaløo in Mauranger invites you to a warm pre-Christmas evening as Hilde Selvikvåg sings her own Christmas songs and well-known seasonal favourites. The concert starts at 18:00, and you can book a Christmas buffet beforehand from 14:00 to 17:00. Click here for more information.
Husnes Storsenter shopping centre fills its walkways with stalls, live music and a visit from Santa. The market is indoors and open 14:00–18:00. Click here for more information.
Langhuset Restaurant in Odda hosts a festive evening as Hanne Krogh presents a Christmas concert with three singers from opera, gospel and musical theatre: Markus Bjørlykke, Anna-Lisa Kumoji and André Søfteland, joined by Internasjonalt kor i Odda. Starts at 19:00. Click here for more information.
For the 16th year running, five musicians perform their own takes on songs by Nick Cave, Johnny Cash, Tom Waits and others, alongside traditional English carols. An alternative pre-Christmas concert at the Husnes cultural centre,, 19:00. Click here for more information.
Decoration on Wood until 31 December – Utne
Rose painting, woodcarving and pokerwork tell the story of craftsmanship on the farms around the Hardangerfjord, as Hardanger Folk Museum in Utne displays more than 100 objects from the 18th and 19th centuries. Many have never been shown to the public before. The exhibition follows the museum's opening hours. Click here for more information.
BØYGD until 30 December – Øystese
Kabuso in Øystese explores how contemporary art and design can meet traditional craft in the autumn exhibition BØYGD. Seven artists have worked with craftspeople and organisations across Hardanger. Click here for more information.
