Walk into any Norwegian supermarket and you might feel a bit puzzled. Even before mid-November arrives, the aisles are already brimming with bright red bottles of julebrus (Christmas soda), and the freezers are packed with ribbe (pork belly).
This isn't a mistake. Welcome to the Norwegian jul (Christmas) season, which doesn't wait for December—it effectively begins on November 1st.
For many foreigners, they are used to Christmas starting later.
In North America, the season kicks off after Thanksgiving. In the UK, much of Europe, Latin America, and some parts of Asia and Africa, December is when the festivities begin. But in Norway, the celebration is tightly connected to the mørketid—the dark season.
As the sun starts vanishing, the whole country collectively craves light, warmth, and kos (coziness). The early start of the festivity is a cultural strategy for surviving the darkness.
So, for any newcomers who haven't yet had the opportunity to enjoy a norsk jul or for those who just started a new job and are wondering why their colleagues are already planning parties, here is a guide to help you embrace the early Norwegian Christmas.
The 'Julebord'
The first sign of the early season is the julebord, the legendary, and sometimes infamous, Norwegian office Christmas party.
Starting in mid-November, you will see restaurants packed with groups in festive outfits. They are there for a multi-course meal of traditional ribbe or pinnekjøtt, accompanied by generous amounts of juleøl (Christmas beer) and akevitt (aquavit).
Others opt for more casual gatherings, but everybody knows that the julebord is an unmissable event. For newcomers, be warned: these parties are a cultural institution and one of the major social occasions of the year in Norway.
Why so early? It's a mix of practical reasons and the joy of celebrating together. Realistically, not every company can schedule its party in the first two weeks of December. But above all, people look forward to the holiday season and start celebrating as soon as the evenings grow longer.
And it's not just companies. Groups of friends also have their own julebord. So, as a foreigner in Norway, don't forget to organise your own. Just be sure to reserve your table well in advance.
READ ALSO: 'Julestemming' - How do Norwegians get into the Christmas spirit?
The Must-Eat List
Here is what can't be missing from the traditional menu.
Ribbe: The famous crispy-skinned pork belly, which is the most common Christmas dinner in Eastern Norway. It's traditionally served with sauerkraut or red cabbage, potatoes, thick sausages (julepølse or medisterpølser), and medisterkaker (flavorful meatballs).
Pinnekjøtt: Steamed, cured, and sometimes smoked lamb ribs, which is the traditional favorite on the West Coast. It is usually served with potatoes, a rich broth-based gravy, and kålrabistappe (sometimes called nepestappe in other regions), a comforting mash made from rutabaga, also referred to as swede in the UK.
Lutefisk: Based on the experience of foreigners I've met, this can be a more... acquired taste. This is cod that has been cured in lye, giving it a gelatinous texture, and is served with various toppings.
Julegrøt / Risgrøt: Norwegian rice porridge is a traditional meal served in many homes on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day for lunch.
Riskrem: The leftover risgrøt is often turned into a delicious dessert: a cold rice pudding mixed with whipped cream and served with a red berry sauce (rød saus).
Karamellpudding: A classic caramel custard pudding, similar to flan.
READ MORE: The Norwegian Christmas foods every foreigner needs to try
A "Jule-Vocabulary": What to try
To get the most out of the season, you'll need to know the lingo.
Julebrus: The sweet, brightly colored Christmas soda that Norwegians are fiercely loyal to. It may spark a debate over which one is the best.
Juleøl: The darker, spicier Christmas beer released by every brewery precisely at this time.
Julelys: Christmas lights. You'll spot them in every window—a bright, beautiful rebellion against the mørketid. As a foreigner, I used to worry about the electricity bill, but at Christmas? That's a concern for later. You'll also find many streets full of lights and even special events just to turn them on.
Gløgg: Norway's version of mulled wine, often served with almonds and raisins, which you'll find at every outdoor Christmas market.
Pepperkaker: The thin gingerbread cookies that are a staple from now until January.
Don't Miss the Christmas Markets
The country's vinterland (winter wonderlands) and julemarkeder (Christmas markets) are important events that you shouldn't miss. If you're in Oslo, Jul i Vinterland at Spikersuppa is already open from November 8th, offering an opportunity to try traditional food, drink gløgg, ride the pariserhjul (ferris wheel), go ice skating, and do some shopping.
Embrace the 'Kos'
If you're a newcomer and feeling overwhelmed by the sudden burst of Christmas, just remember that it's a national embrace of kos when it's needed most.
A word of advice? Don't fight it; it's a big part of learning the traditions. Go buy a bottle of julebrus, grab a pepperkake, and welcome to the long, dark, but very cozy, Norwegian Christmas.
Comments (2)