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Christmas in Kristiansand

In Kristiansand, the Christmas season is celebrated with a festive market, beautiful decorations throughout the city, an ice rink in the main square, and a variety of concerts and events during Advent.

The city is beautifully lit, offering a warm and lively atmosphere where people come together to shop for gifts, enjoy Christmas food, and experience the holiday spirit.

Kvinne i bunad på julemarked i Kristiansand

Christmas Market at Torvet

Each Advent, Kristiansand’s main square, Torvet, fills with stalls offering everything from Christmas decorations and crafts to food and drinks.

You’ll find both local exhibitors and visiting vendors selling everything from felted wool socks and award-winning cheese to local delicacies, exciting street food, and the city’s very own Christmas sausage. With lights, music, and the scent of roasted almonds in the air, the Christmas spirit comes easily.

The market is open daily from Saturday, November 29, to Sunday, December 21, from 12-18.

3D lysshow på Domkirka i Julebyen Kristiansand

3D Light Show at the Cathedral

One of the most spectacular highlights of the Christmas city is the 3D light show at Kristiansand Cathedral. With lights, colors and music, the church façade is transformed into a living work of art that tells small stories and spreads festive cheer. The show attracts large crowds every year and has become a beloved tradition for both locals and visitors. It is an experience not to be missed.

The light show runs daily from 11 to 23 December at 17:30 and 18:30. Admission is free.

Kunstsilo

Designers Christmas Market at Kunstsilo

Kunstsilo in Kristiansand is the city’s art museum, featuring modern exhibitions and panoramic views of the city and harbour. This urban Christmas market brings together 45 artists and designers showcasing and selling their unique creations.

Find special Christmas gifts or something just for yourself. The ticket includes access to the entire Kunstsilo, and the Brasserie is open on both Saturday and Sunday.

Open 29 and 30 November 2025.

to skuespillere på Snøsøstera

Christmas Magic at Kilden

Kilden Theatre and Concert Hall on Odderøya offers a varied programme throughout the Advent season, featuring concerts, theatre and family performances. One of the highlights is "Snøsøstera", based on the book by Maja Lunde, a warm and touching story about grief, hope and Christmas joy.

You can also experience several Christmas concerts and performances that create a festive atmosphere for both children and adults.

Kilden is a natural stop in the Christmas city for anyone who wants to combine culture with the magic of the season.

Julelys på Fiskebrygga

Christmas at Fiskebrygga

Fiskebrygga in Kristiansand is centrally located by the water, just a short walk from the city centre. On Saturday 15. November, the lights are switched on and the area comes alive with a Christmas market, games, entertainment, tastings and a Christmas workshop. Santa Claus will also be there, creating a festive start to the holiday season for both children and adults.

Throughout Advent, Fiskebrygga is a must-visit with beautiful lights and a cosy maritime atmosphere. Enjoy delicious food at restaurants like Hos Moi or try fresh seafood for lunch at Bryggekjøkkenet Reinhartsen.

Jul på Kristiansand Museum

Christmas Market at Kristiansand Museum

One of Southern Norway’s largest Christmas markets is held every year at Kristiansand Museum on the first Sunday of Advent. The museum grounds and historic street are filled with nearly 40 stalls offering local crafts, food, Christmas decorations, knitted goods, jams and sweets. Visitors can enjoy rice porridge, waffles and sausages, meet Santa, listen to stories or take part in activities like gingerbread baking, pony rides and Christmas crafts.

The market creates a warm and lively Christmas atmosphere for the whole family in a historic setting where you can experience old holiday traditions.

Open 30 November from 11:00 to 15:00.

Jul i Skippergata og Kirkegata

Boutique Shopping in Kirkegata and Skippergata

During the Christmas season, Kirkegata and Skippergata are beautifully decorated with lights, and the small independent shops invite you to enjoy a cosy holiday shopping experience.

Here you can find unique gifts, handpicked home décor, clothing and jewellery while soaking up the warm and festive atmosphere. A stroll through these streets offers both inspiration for gifts and a true sense of Christmas in the heart of the city.

Read local Tini’s shopping guide to Kristiansand here.

To jenter står på skøyter på Skøytebanen Kompis på Torvet i Kristiansand

Kompis Ice Rink

In the heart of Kristiansand, both children and adults can enjoy the Kompis Ice Rink during the Christmas season. Open throughout Advent, it offers fun for families or a romantic activity while soaking up the festive city atmosphere. Skates can be rented free of charge, and visitors can enjoy lights, music and the lively surroundings of the city square.

The season opens on Saturday 29 November. The rink is open all winter from 9 - 22:00.

Historisk juletreutstilling i Kristiansand

Historic Christmas Tree Exhibition

Experience a charming and educational Christmas tree exhibition in Rådhuskvartalet in Kristiansand. Vest-Agder Museum showcases trees decorated in different historical styles, along with trees made by local kindergartens, a Ukrainian "didukh" tree and the Blue Cross gift tree. The exhibition is free to visit and offers an exciting insight into how Christmas traditions have evolved over time – right on the main square in the heart of the Christmas city. The official opening takes place on Saturday 29 November at 13:00.

Open 29 November to 21 December. Saturday and Sunday 12 –18. Monday, Wednesday and Friday 08:30–15. Tuesday and Thursday 08:30–21. Free admission.

Mann spiser østers og smiler.

Christmas Food

In Southern Norway, Christmas food is all about tradition, local ingredients and simple, delicious flavours. Pork ribs, cured lamb and cod are all part of the festive menu, but many also enjoy local favourites such as the southern specialty "kompe", or fresh seafood like oysters, prawns and langoustine for Christmas lunch. Christmas food the southern way is about tradition, the taste of the coast and homemade care.

Try the Christmas menu at Sjøhuset for an authentic Kristiansand Christmas feeling. Shop for high-quality local ingredients, perfect as Christmas gifts, at Reinhartsen in Lillemarkens.

Grimsvollen Julemarked

Grimsvollen Christmas Market

The Grimsvollen Christmas Market is a popular neighbourhood event in Kristiansand with long-standing traditions. Here you’ll find stalls with crafts, baked goods, Christmas decorations and local products, as well as activities for children and cosy food service.

The market brings together exhibitors and visitors from across the city, creating a warm and welcoming pre-Christmas atmosphere in the local community.

Open Sunday 14 December from 13-17. Entrance 30 NOK.

Skilt på Julemarked i Posebyhaven

Christmas Market in Posebyhaven

In the cosy Posebyhaven courtyard, lights, Christmas music and stalls filled with delightful goods create a festive atmosphere. Shop for handmade ornaments, crafts, Christmas cookies and sweets. You can also enjoy rice porridge with red juice, warm mulled wine or taste the local Christmas beer.

Don’t miss the Christmas tree lighting in Posebyhaven on Thursday 27 November at 18:00.

Open 29 and 30 November from 11-16. Free admission.

Barn som ser på juletre

Christmas at Kutoppen

A wonderful Christmas tradition for children is Christmas at Kutoppen in Dyreparken. Get into the holiday spirit with a beautifully decorated park and farm, and enjoy delicious Christmas food at Setra. Klara and Gaute are ready with a cosy Christmas concert in the barn. Just watch out for the mischievous Christmas elf causing trouble!

Opening dates: Saturday 29 November, Sunday 30 November, Saturday 6 December, Sunday 7 December, Saturday 13 December, Sunday 14 December, Saturday 20 December, Sunday 21 December and 27–30 December between Christmas and New Year. Several concerts daily.

What’s happening in Kristiansand this Christmas season:

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Accommodation in Kristiansand:

Person sitter med ryggen mot kameraet i et utendørs badebasseng i vinterlandskap
Photo: Frida Neverdal // Visit Sørlandet

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