Holidays

Holidays in Norway

In addition to the official festive and commemorative days, which are mostly reminiscent of German holidays, there are days with official flags in the Scandinavian kingdom, for example to celebrate the birthdays of members of the royal family or to commemorate special historical events. One of these flag days is June 7, which commemorates the dissolution of the union with Sweden in 1905.

Many of the dates on which flags are raised everywhere are normal working days, while others are considered public holidays – such as New Year’s Day or Labour Day. On public holidays, most businesses, government offices and attractions are closed or open on a limited basis.

Overview

New Year’s Day – on January 1

Green Thursday – three days before Easter Sunday

Good Friday – two days before Easter Sunday

Easter Sunday- after the first full moon in spring

Easter Monday – one day after Easter Sunday

Labor Day – on May 1

Ascension Day – 39 days after Easter Sunday

National Ascension Day – on May 17

Pentecost Sunday – 49 days after Easter Sunday

Pentecost Monday – 50 days after Easter Sunday

1st Christmas Day – on December 25

2nd Christmas Day – on December 26

Worth knowing about selected holidays

Easter

Most companies begin the long Easter weekend as early as noon on Wednesday. At the latest, Maundy Thursday is then used to go to the mountains and spend Easter there, for example skiing and eating traditional food. Easter sweets are not available until Sunday.

Television offers a popular Easter quiz on Easter Sunday, followed by an ” Easter mystery”.

National Day

May 17 is Norway’s most important national holiday, dedicated to the first constitution of 1814, while also celebrating liberation from 400 years of Danish rule.

Flags are raised across the country to mark the occasion, and people parade through the streets in traditional costumes in grand processions. The royal family traditionally greets the children’s procession in Oslo from the balcony of their castle. Because of the special attention paid to children on May 17, the day is also called “Barnas dag” – Children’s Day.

Christmas

The actual day of Christmas in Norway is Christmas Eve. In the afternoon, the celebration is heralded by the bells of the churches. The family reads from the Christmas Gospel before the festive meal is served. This meal traditionally includes lutefisk, a type of salty dried fish, and at least seven different types of pastries.

After the meal, an old Norwegian tradition is observed, the “walk around the fir tree.” This involves everyone present joining hands and walking around the tree singing – only then does the gift-giving take place.

It is important to remember the Julenissen on Christmas Eve as well. You provide a bowl of porridge for the Christmas goblin in the stable, which is sure to be emptied the next morning. In return, the Julenissen will continue to guard the house and yard – and next year will again have a bulging sack full of presents ready.

Going to church is usually on the morning of Christmas Day.