Christmas and New Year in Flåm

Welcome to Christmas in Flåm

Flåm might not be top-of-mind when looking for Christmassy destinations but believe us: it really is delightful here in December. The entire town is illuminated both outdoors and indoors, and here and there you will find pretty light sculptures. The charming shops, such as Memories from Flåm and the Flåm Railway Museum, are excellent for finding unique Christmas gifts, and Flåm Bakery offers traditional baked goods.

Historic Fretheim Hotel has a diverse range of activities, from a traditional Christmas dinner with live music to Christmas celebrations incl. gift-giving on Christmas Eve. True to tradition, you can also join Santa on the Flåm Railway on selected days and celebrate the arrival of the New Year on a special cruise on the fjord. Keep reading to see all our specific Christmas activities!

Traditional Norwegian Christmas at Fretheim Hotel

Historical Fretheim Hotel and its restaurant Arven is open every day throughout the season, just as the rest of the year. For a proper Norwegian winter experience, you should gather around the bonfire in the garden after a day out.

In Norway, we celebrate Christmas on the 24th of December. And on that evening, all guests are invited to join our traditional celebrations with storytelling and handing out of Christmas gifts in the Lobby bar before the Christmas buffet is served.

Food & Drink

Food and drink are an important part of all travels, and maybe even more so during the festive season. This is the perfect time to try some traditional favourites. Restaurant Arven at Fretheim Hotel is open every evening from 19:00. Try the daily 3-course meal or choose from the a la carte menu, buffet is served between 22 December and 1 January.

Like in many other countries, Norwegians like to go out for a good, traditional meal and a party with friends or colleagues before Christmas. On the weekend 1 – 2 December you can join them on a traditional Christmas dinner followed by live music and dancing.

If you don’t fancy a full Christmas party, the Family Christmas Lunch on the 9 and 10 of December is a good option. The buffet style meal is the same, but instead of live music and a bar there will be activities for the children.

If you are in Flåm on the day of Christmas Eve, make sure to drop by Fretheim Hotel’s Lobby bar at 14:00 to try the designated Christmas Eve lunch for families all across Norway: rice porridge. It is made of rice and milk, served with cinnamon and sugar, and traditionally there is an almond hidden in the pot. The finder of the almond usually wins either a marzipan pig or seasonal chocolate.

Join Santa Claus on the Flåm Railway

Are you travelling with children? Make sure to be in Flåm on Saturday 9th and/or Sunday 10th December (fully booked). This weekend are filled with fun and good food for the whole family! Before the Family Christmas lunch, you can join Santa on a journey with the Flåm Railway from Flåm to Myrdal and back. Rumours has it that Santa got a small surprise waiting as well.

If you show tickets from the Santa train ride, you get 20% discount on the Christmas lunch.

Christmas Concert with Sigrid Moldestad

The very best way to unwind during an otherwise hectic pre-Christmas season is to take the time to enjoy a beautiful Christmas concert. On Saturday 16th December, you have the opportunity to see and hear Sigrid Moldestad perform with the concert "Vintersong" (winter song) alongside the Swedes, Esbjørn Hazelius and Johan Hedin. They bring traditional Christmas songs from the shared Nordic repertoire in an energetic collaboration to Flåm, along with their own songs and stories. After the concert, Christmas tapas will be served in Restaurant Arven.

White Christmas in Myrkdalen

We must be honest and admit that Flåm is not the most snow-rich place in Norway. 45 minutes’ drive away, on the other hand, you find Myrkdalen – one of the country’s most snow sure destinations. Here you find the largest ski resort in Western Norway with slopes suitable for all levels, cross country trails, and a fantastic off-piste terrain. Myrkdalen Hotel and the cafés throughout the resort offer delicious food. If skiing is not your thing, you can join other activities such as horse sleigh rides. On selected days you can even experience dog sledding! Every afternoon throughout the season the ski school organize sledging with snowracers from the top of the chair lift – a lovely and adrenalin filled way to end the day.

The Fjords & Mountain bus have two daily departures between Flåm and Myrkdalen in weekends and Christmas holiday.

Daily activities

Most of the activities you can enjoy in in Flåm are open daily throughout the winter. Experience magnificent engineering and spectacular nature on the Flåm Railway; reload your batteries with blue winter light and crisp air on a Fjord Cruise Nærøyfjord between Flåm and Gudvangen; and go on a tour to Stegastein Viewpoint to admire the view of the Aurlandsfjord and the UNESCO world heritage listed landscape. 

Shopping

Do you need to do some Christmas shopping? Or maybe you just want a unique souvenir to bring home? Drop by Memories from Flåm and the Flåm Railway Museum while in Flåm. Here you find a wide variety of Norwegian and Scandinavian brands, as well as locally made handicrafts, and our own Memories from Norway-collections.

New Year's Eve Cruise

Start the new year on board the award-winning, fully electrical Future of The Fjords, surrounded by the UNESCO world heritage landscape on the Nærøyfjord. The modern vessel has large panoramic windows allowing you great views to the firework even if you want to stay inside one of the warm lounges, and its full universal design make it possible for everyone to join.

The New Year's Eve Cruise includes live music and a welcome drink. You can purchase more drinks and light snacks in the bar.