From Coffee Stand to One of the Biggest
The beautiful Trondheim Christmas market. Photo: Will Lee-Wright
The annual Trondheim Christmas Market in midtown kicks off on December 4th, running for nearly an entire month until December 21st! Visiting the Trondheim Christmas Market is one of the best things to do in Trondheim during the winter and a perfect opportunity to learn about Norwegian Christmas traditions and ‘trøndersk’ food and culture.
Photo: Mckenna Starck
Locals and visitors alike agree that nothing fills the darker months of winter with twinkling lights and genuine Christmas joy like Trondheim’s very own Christmas market. Located in the heart of Trondheim at the town square, the Trondheim Christmas Market is now one of the largest in the Nordics. This year marks the 22nd consecutive year of what has been recognized by major international media like the UK Telegraph as one of Europe’s top sixteen Christmas markets. Each year, thousands of visitors stroll through the open-air market:
Photo: Wil Lee-Wright
It’s a magical winter wonderland setting, complete with horse-drawn carriages, local fare, and tasty treats accompanied by festive music, nestled in traditional indigenous Sámi tents with wood-burning fires. In 2021, the Trondheim Christmas Market introduced a ferris wheel to the already jam-packed concept, which offers audio guides in Norwegian, English, and German.
Photo: Marius Rua
From Christmas lovers to Scrooges, everyone finds a little bit of warmth at ‘julemarkedet’. Perhaps it is the low-key offerings of locally produced food, beverages, and presents, or the display of Trondheim’s tallest Christmas tree that makes this tradition a truly memorable occasion each year. It may be the feeling of unexpectedly crossing paths with friends, family, or colleagues to wish one another happy holidays, or hearing one of the resident troubadours belting out cherished carols and songs while enjoying a seasonal beverage. This sensory experience of lights and traditional decorations, filled with the comforting scents of Christmas fires and roasting almonds, will be everything you need to prepare for the most-anticipated time of the year.
From its humble beginnings in 2002 with a few simple stands offering a cup of coffee to today’s market stretching in three directions from the town square, Trondheim Christmas Market displays over 80 exhibitors and providers bringing you unique hand-crafted goods, and local food and beverages. At ‘julemarkedet’, you can shape your own Christmas, all the while sharing in the magical feeling of a traditional Norwegian ‘jul’. Read more about the history of ‘Julemarkedet Trondheim’ further down in the article.
Photo: Wil Lee-Wright
What to expect
In addition to the cheerful market set against a snow-dusted, tree-lined street leading to Nidaros Cathedral, Trondheim’s Christmas Market oozes nostalgia for Christmas past, offering excellent cheeses, meats, spreads, condiments, desserts, coffee, beverages, breads, and many other tasty treats.
Stroll through a selection of local small businesses and browse wooden toys, hand-crafted jewelry, wool blankets and clothing, floral arrangements, and winter-green decorations, among other unique finds.
For the ultimate view, take in the breathtaking winter scenery from atop the Christmas Market’s 45-metre-tall Ferris wheel—perfect for capturing magical photos of Trondheim in winter.
The Trondheim Christmas Market also features a free cultural programme with around 200 activities and daily concerts.
And if Trondheim’s winter weather becomes too much to handle (it happens!), retreat into Lavvoen, Northern Europe’s largest pop-up restaurant. Lavvoen serves locally sourced food and brews made by producers from the Trøndelag region. Settle onto a reindeer-skin-covered bench by a crackling fire in the evening and enjoy Christmas porridge, locally sourced gløgg (mulled wine), or grilled meats and reindeer/veggie burgers.
The Trondheim Christmas Market was a certified host during the European Region of Gastronomy Trondheim 2022.
Photo: Wil Lee-Wright
The history
Norway’s historical capital has always fostered a sense of togetherness during December. Perhaps you or someone you know recalls earlier displays at the town square, including scenes of the Nativity, ringing bells, and nisse (Santa/elves) collecting donations for the Salvation Army.
At the turn of the millennium, a new vision for a seasonal market emerged—one that would provide a dedicated arena to showcase local vendors and trade goods in preparation for Christmas. From 2000 to 2006, Trondheim, along with partner cities Norwich, Lincoln, Odense, Ghent, and Emden, participated in the European Union’s Livable Cities programme. The project aimed to improve public spaces in historic urban centres across the North Sea region. Through this initiative, Trondheim was able to preserve historic elements of its growing city while also stimulating community interaction by launching the city’s Christmas Market and initiating the redevelopment of Torvet, the town square.
In its first year, the Christmas Market was coordinated by Trondheim Municipality and its partners. However, as it quickly expanded in the following decade, it was soon taken over by the City Manager. Since 2009, Julemarkedet has evolved into the cozy yet impressive Christmas market we know today, thanks to the tremendous efforts of Midtbyen Management and its partners.
Midtbyen Management serves as Trondheim’s marketing and coordination agency for urban development in the city centre, led by General Manager and Travel Director Kirsten Schultz. Their work contributes to the beautification of the city, ensuring clean and inviting streets, while also organising key events and pop-ups that shape urban life and support the local business sector. Midtbyen Management is responsible for major events such as the Christmas Market, Culture Night, and the summer event Martnan.
Over the years, Trondheim’s public and business sectors have united local food and beverage producers into a cohesive marketplace. Emphasising sustainability from farm and sea to table, this philosophy has defined the identity of Trondheim’s Christmas Market, turning it into one of the city’s premier attractions.
From Christmas-lovers to scrooges, everyone finds a little bit of warmth at ‘julemarkedet’
- Heard at Christmas Market café
Photo: Visit Trondheim
Open everyday from 11:00 - 19:00 at Torvet, town square
Lavvoen (the big Christmas tent): open everyday until 20:00 and 22:00 on Wednesdays and Fridays from December 6th.
How to Explore the Region
First time tourist or long time resident? These resources will help you see more.