Christmas & New Year
in Scandinavian alps
Christmas and New Year's in Hemsedal
Are you ready for an unforgettable holiday celebration surrounded by snow-covered mountains, fresh air, and an atmosphere filled with Christmas spirit? In Hemsedal, we have everything you need to make your Christmas and New Year's magical—whether you're planning an active holiday with family, a festive week between Christmas and New Year's with friends, or just want to recharge in beautiful surroundings. Here's what you can look forward to in the 2024 holiday season:
A magical start to the holiday season
Christmas in Hemsedal kicks off with atmospheric events that set the tone for the entire season:
- Husflidlagets Christmas Market November 23-24 at Kyrkjestugu – A traditional market featuring handicrafts, local food, a lottery, Christmas decorations, coffee, and homemade baked goods.
- Christmas marked at Dalo Fjellgård (30. november) – A cozy day for the whole family, featuring local products, delicious food by the bonfire, the Christmas gnome, and much more.
- Christmas tree lightning at Fyri Resort (1. desember) – A day of joy for both young and old, with music from the Hemsedal Choir, saffron buns, mulled wine, and a visit from Santa himself.
Whether you're seeking thrill and adventure or peace and relaxation, Hemsedal has something for everyone during the holidays:
- Horse-drawn sleigh ridesthrough the winter landscape – a classic winter experience.
- Indoor climbing for those looking for a challenge.
- Sledding from the mountain top or on Fjellheisen – perfect for adrenaline seekers.
- Guided snow shoe hikesin untouched snow.
- Yogafor inner peace.
- Dog sledding– a fantastic way to explore the mountains.
Skiing
Of course, you can enjoy fantastic skiing at our ski resorts during Christmas. In Solheisen you can join everything from a racing camp to torchlit slalom races during Christmas and New Year. At SkiStar Hemsedalenjoy long days on the slopes, with extended opening hours on several days during the holidays. Valle, the Snowman will be ready to spread winter joy at SkiStar Hemsedal with many activities in the children's area. Be sure to check out Kids friendly activities and book your favorite before it's too late.
See more of what's happening during Christmas in our event calender.
Stay updated on weather and conditions via our weather page.
Christmas dinners and festivities
Indulge yourself with a Christmas dinner at some of Hemsedal's finest restaurants. Fyri Resort, Lodgen Spiseri, Skarsnuten Hotel, Skigaarden,Skogstad Hotel and Hemsedal Café offer delicious menus starting in late November. On Christmas Eve, you can enjoy a festive meal at Lodgen Spiseri.
Fyri Resort also hosts a Juleshow on the 28th & 29th of November, so get ready for an evening filled with entertainment, great food, and a fantastic atmosphere.
Christmas and New Year's – Nightlife in Hemsedal
The holiday season in Hemsedal isn’t complete without the legendary après-ski at Skistua, Hollvinand Stavkroa.
As always, Stavkroa is pulling out all the stops with All In New Years, featuring parties every day between Christmas and New Year's. On December 29th, Stavkroa Arena will also open, with Highasakite headlining the event. At Hollvin Afterski, you’ll experience live music from après-ski bands with high-energy performances, while Skistua offers both live music and DJ sets.
If you're looking for a more family-friendly après-ski, Lodgen Spiseri is the perfect spot, with a playroom for the little ones to enjoy.
For a more relaxed, yet equally magical experience, check out Fyri Resort, which offers both Christmas at Fyri and New Years at Fyri packages for those who want to celebrate in style. On December 19th, Fyri turns 5 years old, so don’t miss out on their special Anniversary Deal!
Find the Christmas joy with a local twist – from trees to gifts
In Hemsedal, you’ll find several shops open almost every day, though holiday hours may vary slightly. Whether you need to buy your Christmas groceries, find the perfect gift, or get yourself a Christmas tree, we’ve got you covered
You can buy your Christmas tree at Hemsedal Innkjøpslagin the town center or from a tree seller at Coop Extra.
Looking for unique Christmas gifts? In Hemsedal, you’ll find everything from quality gear for the mountain enthusiast at Anton Sport, Moh+, and SkiStar Concept Store, to trendy clothing at Finbeck & Fia, House of Hygge, and Fjøset.
For interior gifts, you can visit Hemsedal Møbler, Fargerike, and Fjøset in Ulsåk, or find something unique at Dyrja on Torset. If you’re looking for more practical gifts, Fargerike, Maxbo, and Monter offer everything from paint to building materials.
Want to gift the taste of Hemsedal? How about cheese from Himmelspannet, baked goods from Flatbrødbakeriet, pinnekjøtt from Spekeloftet, or local meat and fish from Tamt & Vilt – perfect gifts for those who appreciate quality and tradition.
Don’t forget that Hemsedal Aktiv sells gift cards for all of their activities. The recipient can choose from experiences like snowshoeing, horse-drawn sleigh rides, ice climbing, sledding, and dog sledding – a fantastic gift for someone you care about.
Food is a must
When it comes to grocery stores, they are generally open every day throughout the year, but here are the hours as of October 22, 2024:
Coop Extra: Mon.-Fri. 7 AM-11 PM, Sat. 8 AM-11 PM, Sun. 9 AM-11 PM
Spar: Mon.-Fri. 6 AM-10:15 PM, Sat. 6 AM-9 PM, Sun. 12 PM-6 PM
Kiwi: Mon.-Sat. 7 AM-11 PM, Sun. 9 AM-9 PM. Closed on Christmas Day
Matkroken: Mon.-Fri. 8 AM-5/7 PM, Sat. 8 AM-6 PM, Sun. 9 AM-5 PM. Open during the winter season.
Church Services during Christmas
- November 25 – Christmas Concert with Leif Ingvald Skaug
- December 6 – Advent Concert with Hanne Smørvik at Lykkja Chapel
- December 15 – Advent Concert at Hemsedal Church
- December 24
- Service at Lykkja Chapel at 11:00 AM
- Services at Hemsedal Church:
- 1:30 PM
- 2:45 PM
- 4:00 PM
- December 26 – Service at Hemsedal Church at 11:00 AM
