Christmas concerts in Bergen in 2026 run from 22 November all the way to New Year's Eve. Norwegian star Kurt Nilsen plays eight shows at Grieghallen from 19 to 22 December, and Sissel performs on 8 December. Here are this year's highlights by venue, plus where to eat before the show.
Book a table before the concert
Big Christmas concerts at Grieghallen
Grieghallen is Bergen's main concert hall, home of the Bergen Philharmonic, and in December it is booked almost every night. Some of this year's biggest shows:
Eva Weel Skram, "Falle til ro": Saturday 5 December, Griegsalen
Oslo Gospel Choir: Sunday 6 December, Griegsalen
Bugge Wesseltoft, "It's Snowing on my Piano": Sunday 6 December, Peer Gynt hall
Helene Bøksle: Monday 7 December, Griegsalen
Sissel's Christmas: Tuesday 8 December, Griegsalen
Christmas with Nordic Tenors: Tuesday 15 December, Griegsalen
Ina Wroldsen, "Business of Christmas": 17 and 18 December, Griegsalen
Symfonica: Friday 18 December, Peer Gynt hall
Kurt Nilsen: 19-22 December, two shows a night, Griegsalen
Most concerts are sung in Norwegian, but music needs no translation. The Kurt Nilsen shows sell out first every year.
Christmas concerts in churches
For many locals, a church concert is what Christmas sounds like. This year's church concerts in the city centre:
Bergen Cathedral: Trygve Skaug (3 December), Iver Kleive and Knut Reiersrud (10 December), and Bergen Cathedral Choir performing Bach's Christmas Oratorio, parts I-III (20 December).
Korskirken: Gjermund Larsen Trio (27 November), Sigrid Moldestad (29 November), "Desemberstemninger" (1 December) and "Christmas in the North" (9 December).
Johanneskirken: Gospel Explosion Bergen (5 December, two concerts) and "Hannes Julestjerner" (18 December).
St Mary's Church (Mariakirken): An Advent concert on Wednesday 16 December at 12:00 and 15:00, in Bergen's oldest building still in use.
Christmas Eve services (in Norwegian) are held at Bergen Cathedral at 14:30 and 16:00.
Intimate venues
Not every Christmas concert needs an orchestra. Some of the best are on smaller stages:
Håkonshallen: Rebekka Bakken (8 December) and dePresno (9 December) in the medieval royal hall at Bergenhus Fortress.
Troldhaugen: Hanne Krogh (22 November) and Britten's "A Ceremony of Carols" (29 November) at the home of composer Edvard Grieg.
Ole Bull Scene: Zimmermann's Christmas tour (1 December), Frode Grytten Beat Band's Christmas concert for the ambivalent (13 and 14 December) and Kakkmaddafakka (20 December).
USF Verftet: Bergen Big Band with Anne-Sophie and Tor Endresen at Røkeriet (6 December).
Free Christmas concerts
You do not need a ticket to feel the season. Every Advent Sunday there is a Christmas concert and candle lighting on Mount Fløyen at 13:00, in 2026 on 29 November and 6, 13 and 20 December. Take the Fløibanen funicular up and walk down if the weather allows.
Kulturhuset i Bergen also hosts free Christmas events through December. Check their programme for dates.
Between Christmas and New Year
The music does not stop on Christmas Eve. Blakk plays a concert at Kulturhuset i Bergen on 29 December, and the brass band Eikanger-Bjørsvik holds a New Year's Eve concert at Grieghallen at 16:00 on 31 December, a perfect start to New Year's Eve in Bergen.
Tips for concert night
A few tips from locals who have been to many Christmas concerts in Bergen:
Book early. The big names at Grieghallen sell out, often weeks ahead. Church concerts usually have fewer seats.
Check the hall. Grieghallen has both Griegsalen and the smaller Peer Gynt hall. It is printed on your ticket.
Arrive in good time. The cloakroom queue in December is long, and wet jackets take time.
Bring rain gear. Venues and restaurants are mostly a short walk apart, but Bergen weather in December is rarely dry.
Churches are cold. Keep your coat on during church concerts.
A concert with colleagues or friends
A Christmas concert is a great way to start a festive evening for a group. Buy tickets together, have an early dinner, and finish with a drink at the bar afterwards. Planning a party? See Christmas parties in Bergen for venues and menus.
Dinner and a hotel before the show
Most Christmas concerts start between 18:00 and 20:00, which leaves time for an early dinner in the centre. Frescohallen, Wesselstuen and Matbaren at Zander K are all within walking distance of Grieghallen, and several of our restaurants serve Christmas food in December. See Christmas lunch in Bergen for afternoon concerts.
Visiting from out of town? A night at a hotel in Bergen city centre makes it easy. Combine the concert with the Bergen Christmas market on the same day.
Frequently asked questions
When is Kurt Nilsen's Christmas concert in Bergen in 2026?
Kurt Nilsen plays Grieghallen from Saturday 19 to Tuesday 22 December 2026. There are two shows each day: 17:00 and 19:30 at the weekend, and 18:00 and 20:30 on Monday and Tuesday. The concerts are in Griegsalen, and tickets are sold through Ticketmaster. These shows usually sell out, so book early.
Where can I go to a Christmas concert in a church in Bergen?
In central Bergen there are Christmas concerts at Bergen Cathedral, Korskirken, Johanneskirken and St Mary's Church in 2026. The cathedral hosts Bach's Christmas Oratorio with Bergen Cathedral Choir on 20 December, and St Mary's has an Advent concert on 16 December. Church concerts are often smaller and more affordable than the big Grieghallen shows.
Are there free Christmas concerts in Bergen?
Yes, there is a free Christmas concert on Mount Fløyen every Advent Sunday at 13:00, together with the lighting of the Advent candle. In 2026 the dates are 29 November and 6, 13 and 20 December. Kulturhuset i Bergen also has free Christmas events in December. You only pay for the funicular, or you can walk up.
When does the Christmas concert season start in Bergen?
The first Christmas concerts in Bergen in 2026 are on 22 November, including Hanne Krogh at Troldhaugen. From early December there are concerts almost every night, peaking around 5-10 December and in the final week before Christmas. The season ends with the New Year's Eve concert at Grieghallen.
December in Bergen is full of music. Make a night of it: dinner in the centre first, and a hotel room within walking distance afterwards.
Our hotels in Bergen city centre
More inspiration from Bergen
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New Year's Eve in Bergen
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