Christmas in Kristiansand –where Norway’s festive spirit shines the brightest

By Signe Hansen

In Kristiansand, Christmas unfolds like a storybook scene. With twinkling squares, cosy bakeries and unique markets, the compact coastal city glows with festive charm, offering a magical Christmas experience for all ages.

Whether you are looking to shop for handmade gifts, ice skate, or savour traditional Norwegian Christmas treats, you will find what you are looking for in the Christmas city of Kristiansand in Southern Norway. Here, children meet Father Christmas, couples skate hand in hand, and families gather around the food stalls serving comforting winter fare.
“The whole city is decorated for Christmas,” says Mona Konuralp at Visit Southern Norway. “It’s not just the market – it’s the lights, the trees, the atmosphere. Everything is close by, and it feels intimate, authentic, and very Norwegian.”

Located at the centre of Kristiansand, the main market is at the heart of the experience, transforming the city’s main square, Torvet, into a lively Christmas village throughout the festive season.

Guests can enjoy a variety of local treats at the Christmas market in Kristiansand. Photo: Soutcoast Creative nico.hagen

Christmas for all the senses

Attracting a host of local producers, the Christmas market offers a mix of handmade crafts, textiles and ornaments, while food stalls tempt visitors with grilled sausages, creamy hot chocolate, and the region’s traditional shortbread, kakemenn.

“In the big market on the square, you’ll find genuine local products that make for the perfect Christmas gifts. People come from all over Sørlandet with knitted blankets, ceramics and beautiful decorations,” explains Konuralp. “Moreover, with the current valuta, guests from outside Norway can buy some extra nice presents.”

For foodies, the many local cheeses will be a real treat. Photo: Heidi Sørvig

The market also celebrates regional flavours, offering a chance to try the world’s best cheese, Rødlin from Tjamsland Gård – gold winner of the World Cheese Awards – alongside other Norwegian cheeses and cured meats. “You can even buy what will probably be the longest grilled sausage you’ve ever had – fifty centimetres – if you’re really hungry,” she adds with a laugh.

As evening falls, Torvet glows beneath a spectacular 3D light show projected onto the façade of Kristiansand Cathedral. Families gather in the crisp winter air to watch colours and music transform the church into a living canvas.

Nearby, the ice rink remains one of the season’s highlights. Open daily throughout the winter, it welcomes skaters of all ages – and those without skates can borrow a pair for free. “It’s wonderful to see people who haven’t skated for years trying again,” says Konuralp. “It becomes a meeting place for the whole city.”

Kunstsilo houses a unique design market, but is also worth a visit in its own right. Photo: Allan Williams

Markets for young and old

While the main market is open throughout December, a number of smaller markets pop up for shorter periods during the festive season. In Posebyen, the city’s historic quarter of white wooden houses, the Posebyhaven Christmas Market fills courtyards and workshops with the scent of marzipan, sourdough bread and mulled wine. Local artisans – from hatmakers to ceramicists – open their studios for a single day, creating a unique village-like atmosphere.

For those travelling with little ones, the Christmas market at Kristiansand Museum may also be just the thing. Here, visitors step into a traditional Christmas scene among old timber houses in the open-air heritage park, where crafts, folk music and children’s activities recreate the celebrations of earlier centuries.

Finally, at Kunstsilo, the Designernes Julemarked showcases regional designers and artists selling ceramics, jewellery and textiles – perfect for finding a one-of-a-kind gift. Originally an enormous grain silo, the art museum itself is a must-visit attraction in Kristiansand. It opened in 2024 and has already gained international attention, even being listed by Time Magazine as one of the world’s must-see destinations that year.

A musical waterfront Christmas

Defined by its stunning waterfront, Kristiansand also offers visitors a maritime Christmas vibe, with the festive spirit continuing into the picturesque harbour district Fiskebrygga. Here, fishmongers sell fresh seafood to take away or enjoy by the quay – from traditional fishcakes to delicately smoked trout and warm-smoked salmon, both local specialities.
Visitors can also extend their culinary adventure by dining at one of the city’s many restaurants, where festive menus feature juletorsk (Christmas cod) and roast pork with soured cabbage – classic Norwegian Christmas dishes served in warm, cosy surroundings.

Another key ingredient in the Christmas magic is Kristiansand’s many cultural and music events. The Kilden Performing Arts Centre presents an extensive Christmas programme each year, from orchestral concerts to festive theatre. In Kristiansand Cathedral, Handel’s Messiah and traditional carols fill the vaulted space with sound and light.

“It’s a wonderful time to experience culture in Kristiansand,” says Konuralp. “The concerts, the lights, the food – everything comes together to create a truly special Christmas feeling.”

Christmas in Kristiansand –where Norway’s festive spirit shines the brightest

Set in the heart of Kristiansand, the big Christmas market is open throughout December. Photo: Visit Southern Norway

Highlights from the 2025 Christmas programme

Kristiansand Christmas Market and ice rink (Torvet)
Market open 29 November – 22 December
Ice rink open throughout the winter

Designernes Julemarked (Kunstsilo), 29 – 30 November
Regional designers and makers offering jewellery, ceramics and contemporary Norwegian design.

Kristiansand Museum Christmas Market, 30 November
Traditional outdoor market among historical buildings with crafts, music and family activities.

Posebyhaven Christmas Market (Posebyen), 29 – 30 November
A two-day market in the old city’s courtyards and workshops featuring handmade goods and festive treats.

Web: www.visitsorlandet.com
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