The Christmas market in Bergen runs at Festplassen from Friday 20 November to Tuesday 22 December 2026. It is open 12:00-21:00 on weekdays and 10:00-21:00 at weekends, and entry is free. Here is what to expect, from the stalls and the Ferris wheel to where locals eat afterwards.
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Bergen Christmas market opening hours 2026
The market at Festplassen is open every day from 20 November to 22 December 2026.
Monday to Friday: 12:00-21:00
Saturday and Sunday: 10:00-21:00
Entry: free
Carousels and Ferris wheel: separate tickets
For the calmest visit, come on a weekday just after opening. Friday and Saturday evenings are busy and lively, and the last two weekends before Christmas are the busiest of all.
The market closes on 22 December, two days before Christmas Eve, which is when Norwegians celebrate.
Where is the Christmas market in Bergen?
The market is held at Festplassen, the square on the edge of the small city lake Lille Lungegårdsvann, right in the centre of Bergen. On a clear day you can see Mount Ulriken behind it.
It is a few minutes' walk from Torgallmenningen, the main square, and a short walk from the railway and bus stations. The Bergen Light Rail stops nearby. You will not need a car: the city centre is compact and everything is within walking distance.
Staying in the centre means you can drop your shopping at the hotel and head straight back out for dinner.
What to see and do at the market
The Bergen Christmas market is made for wandering. Do not miss:
The stalls: crafts, knitwear, Christmas decorations and Nordic gifts, alongside cheese, baked goods and other treats.
Roasted almonds and gløgg: gløgg is Scandinavian mulled wine, and the smell of both is the smell of the market. Hot chocolate for the kids.
The Ferris wheel: views over the lights of Bergen, the lake and the mountains.
Carousels: a classic horse carousel and more rides for children.
The Christmas tree forest: a small forest of Christmas trees to stroll through.
The warming room: the place to thaw out with gløgg, Christmas beer or something hot.
Bergen is one of Europe's rainiest cities, and December is no exception. Bring good shoes and an umbrella, and plan for a break indoors.
Visiting with children
The Christmas market is one of the easiest Christmas outings with kids. Entry is free, the rides are close to the stalls, and younger children love the Christmas tree forest.
A few tips:
Come early at weekends to avoid the crowds.
Agree on a meeting point, such as the Ferris wheel.
Combine the market with a visit to the Gingerbread Town on the same day.
The Gingerbread Town in Bergen, known as the world's largest, is open from 14 November 2026 to 10 January 2027 at byROMMET in Kong Oscars gate, a short walk from Festplassen. Children get free entry Monday to Friday.
How to make a full day of it
The market is at its best as part of a day in the city, not a quick stop. Here is how we would plan a Saturday in December:
Morning: Arrive at Festplassen when the market opens at 10:00. The first hour is the quietest, with the shortest queue for the Ferris wheel.
Lunch: A Christmas lunch in the city centre. Book ahead, as December Saturdays fill up.
Afternoon: The Gingerbread Town in Kong Oscars gate, or the Fløibanen funicular up to Mount Fløyen if it is an Advent Sunday.
Early evening: Back to the hotel for a rest, or a session at Skostredet Spa. The spa also welcomes guests who are not staying at the hotel (18+), and booking ahead is a good idea.
Evening: Dinner, a Christmas concert, or back to the market when the lights are at their best.
You can do the whole route on foot. Central Bergen is small enough to fit it all in without rushing.
Practical tips for visitors
A few things worth knowing before you go:
Weather: December in Bergen means rain, wind and the occasional sleet. A rain jacket beats an umbrella when it is windy.
Clothing: Wear layers. Standing still outdoors gets cold, and the warming room is warm.
Daylight: It gets dark early in December, from around 16:00, which is when the market looks its best.
Crowds: Friday and Saturday evenings are the busiest. With a pram, mornings are easier.
Getting there: Arriving by train or plane? Take the light rail or the airport bus to the centre and walk from there.
The Festival of Lights
Bergen starts the season with Lysfesten, the Festival of Lights. In 2026 it takes place on Saturday 14 November, 16:00-17:00, around Lille Lungegårdsvann.
It is free, and thousands of locals turn out for music, a torchlight procession and lights around the lake, ending with fireworks over the city. The Gingerbread Town opens the same weekend, which makes it a good time to visit if you want to see Bergen switch into Christmas mode.
The event lasts about an hour, so book a table for dinner beforehand. Restaurants in the centre fill up that evening. [SJEKK: om De Bergenske har eget tilbud knyttet til Lysfesten]
Where to eat near the Christmas market
Gløgg and almonds will not carry you through the evening. Several restaurants in the De Bergenske family are within walking distance of Festplassen.
For a festive meal, Frescohallen at Bergen Børs Hotel serves Christmas food beneath Axel Revold's frescoes, in one of the most beautiful dining rooms in Norway. Wesselstuen serves traditional Bergen Christmas dishes, and Grand Hotel Terminus is the place for a classic Christmas plate.
Coming as a group? Make the market the first stop of your Christmas party in Bergen. Book early, as December is peak season for every restaurant in town.
Where to stay for the Christmas market
If you are travelling to Bergen for the market, one or two nights in the city centre is the easiest way to enjoy it. You can fit in the market, a concert and a good dinner without watching the clock.
De Bergenske has six hotels in central Bergen, from Bergen Børs Hotel by the harbour to Grand Hotel Terminus by the railway station. All are within walking distance of Festplassen.
A local tip: pick a weekday. From Monday to Thursday the market, the shops and the restaurants are all quieter, and it is easier to get a table without booking weeks ahead. Coming for a weekend party? Arrive the day before and enjoy the market at your own pace. [SJEKK: om hotellene har egne julepakker eller helgepriser i desember 2026]
Want the party and the room in one booking? See Christmas party with hotel stay.
More things to do in Bergen at Christmas
The market is just the start. Our favourites if you have an extra day:
Advent on Mount Fløyen: An Advent candle is lit at 13:00 every Advent Sunday, in 2026 on 29 November and 6, 13 and 20 December. Free to watch, with a Christmas forest decorated by local children.
Christmas concerts: From Grieghallen to the city's churches, December is full of music. See our guide to Christmas concerts in Bergen.
Kulturhuset i Bergen: Free Christmas events through December.
Sauna by the fjord: Heit Bergen Sauna has floating saunas at Marineholmen and Laksevåg, with a cold dip in the sea.
Christmas shopping: The shops are right next to the market. Read our guide to Christmas shopping in Bergen.
Frequently asked questions
When does the Bergen Christmas market open in 2026?
The Bergen Christmas market opens on Friday 20 November 2026 at Festplassen, at 12:00 like every weekday. The Festival of Lights, which marks the start of Christmas in the city, is on Saturday 14 November, the week before the market opens. The Gingerbread Town opens that same weekend, so mid-November is when Bergen's Christmas season really begins.
When does the Christmas market in Bergen close?
The market closes for the season on Tuesday 22 December 2026, two days before Christmas Eve. It closes at 21:00 every day, weekdays and weekends alike. For a quieter visit, choose a weekday in early December rather than the last two weekends before Christmas, when the market is at its busiest.
Is the Bergen Christmas market free?
Yes, entry to the Christmas market at Festplassen is free. You only pay for what you buy at the stalls and for the carousels and Ferris wheel, which need separate tickets. A visit can be as cheap or as indulgent as you like. Gløgg, hot chocolate and roasted almonds are the classic purchases for most visitors.
Is there a Ferris wheel at the Bergen Christmas market?
Yes, there is a Ferris wheel at the market. From the top you can see Festplassen, the lake, the lights of the city centre and, on a clear evening, the mountains around Bergen. There is also a classic horse carousel and several other rides. The Ferris wheel and carousels need separate tickets, while the market itself is free.
How much time do I need for the Christmas market?
Most visitors spend one to two hours at the Bergen Christmas market. That is enough for a walk past the stalls, a ride on the Ferris wheel and a cup of gløgg in the warming room. With children, plan for longer. Add the Gingerbread Town, some shopping and dinner, and it becomes a full day, which is when a night in the city centre makes sense.
The Christmas market, the Gingerbread Town, concerts and Christmas dinners are all a short walk apart in central Bergen. Stay in the middle of it all and leave the car at home.
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