Norway, known for its stunning fjords, vibrant culture, and rich history, celebrates a variety of public holidays throughout the year. These holidays offer Norwegians a chance to reflect on their heritage, religious beliefs, and national pride. They are marked by various traditions, family gatherings, and community events. This article explores the most important public holidays in Norway, enhanced with Norwegian vocabulary and phrases to provide a deeper understanding.
New Year’s Day (Nyttårsdag) – January 1
Nyttårsdag marks the beginning of the new year and is celebrated with great enthusiasm. The night before, on Nyttårsaften (New Year’s Eve), Norwegians celebrate with fyrverkeri (fireworks), fester (parties), and familiesammenkomster (family gatherings). As the clock strikes midnight, the sky lights up with vibrant displays of fireworks, symbolizing the start of a new year. It is common for people to make nyttårsforsetter (New Year’s resolutions), promising to improve aspects of their lives in the coming year. The day itself is usually spent in a relaxed manner, recovering from the celebrations of the night before and reflecting on the past year.
Maundy Thursday (Skjærtorsdag) – Thursday before Easter
Skjærtorsdag is observed during Den stille uke (Holy Week) and commemorates Den siste nattverden (The Last Supper) of Jesus Christ with his apostles. This day is a significant part of the Christian calendar, marked by gudstjenester (church services) and quiet reflection. Many Norwegians use this long weekend to travel to their hytta (the cabin) in the mountains or countryside, starting their påskeferie (Easter holiday). The day is often spent with family, enjoying simple meals and the beginning of the Easter celebrations.
Good Friday (Langfredag) – Friday before Easter
Langfredag is a day of mourning and reflection on the korsfestelse (crucifixion) of Jesus Christ. It is one of the most solemn days in the Christian calendar. Norwegians attend kirketjenester (church services) and engage in quiet contemplation. Businesses and schools are closed, and the atmosphere is one of reverence and solemnity. Traditional meals on this day are often simpler, reflecting the somber mood.
Easter Sunday (Påskedag)
Påskedag celebrates the oppstandelse (resurrection) of Jesus Christ. This joyous occasion is marked by gudstjenester and festive familiemåltider (family meals). Children look forward to påskeegg jakt (Easter egg hunts), where they search for chocolate eggs hidden around the house or garden. The date of Easter varies each year, as it falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the vårjevndøgn (vernal equinox). Traditional Easter meals often feature lam (lamb), symbolizing new life and spring.
Easter Monday (Andre påskedag)
Andre påskedag is the day after Easter Sunday, continuing the celebrations with additional family gatherings and outdoor activities. It often marks the start of våren (spring), with Norwegians enjoying the awakening of nature. People typically return from their påsketur (Easter trip) to the mountains or countryside, savoring the last moments of their holiday before resuming work.
Labour Day (Arbeidernes dag) – May 1
Arbeidernes dag is an international holiday recognizing the contributions and achievements of arbeidere (workers). In Norway, this day is celebrated with parader (parades), taler (speeches), and various events organized by labor unions (fagforeninger) to promote workers’ rights. The day also sees political demonstrations (politiske demonstrasjoner), where people advocate for social and economic justice. It’s a day of solidarity and reflection on the importance of labor in building the nation’s prosperity.
Constitution Day (Grunnlovsdag) – May 17
Grunnlovsdag is Norway’s national day, celebrating the signing of the Norwegian Constitution in 1814 at Eidsvoll. It is a day of immense nasjonal stolthet (national pride), marked by vibrant parader (parades), especially the barnetoget (children’s parade), where schoolchildren march through the streets waving norske flagg (Norwegian flags) and singing patriotic songs. Many people wear bunad (traditional Norwegian costumes), adding to the festive atmosphere. The day is filled with music, speeches, and community events, culminating in family gatherings where people enjoy traditional foods like pølser (hot dogs) and is (ice cream).
Ascension Day (Kristi himmelfartsdag) – 40 days after Easter
Kristi himmelfartsdag commemorates the himmelfart (ascension) of Jesus Christ into heaven. This public holiday is observed with gudstjenester and family gatherings. Many Norwegians take advantage of the long weekend to enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking or spending time at their cabins. It is a day for both religious observance and enjoying the beauty of nature.
Whit Sunday (Pinsedag) – 7th Sunday after Easter
Pinsedag, also known as Pentecost, celebrates the descent of the Den Hellige Ånd (Holy Spirit) upon the apostles, marking the birth of the Christian Church. This religious holiday is observed with gudstjenester and family activities. It is a time for reflection on the spiritual significance of the day, as well as enjoying festive meals with loved ones.
Whit Monday (Andre pinsedag) – The day after Whit Sunday
Andre pinsedag is the day after Pentecost, continuing the celebrations with additional gudstjenester and family events. Many people take the day to relax and enjoy the outdoors, as it is a public holiday. The long weekend provides a perfect opportunity for family outings and appreciating the late spring weather.
Christmas Day (Første juledag) – December 25
Første juledag is a major holiday celebrating the fødsel (birth) of Jesus Christ. The celebration begins on Julaften (Christmas Eve), where families gather for a festive dinner, often featuring ribbe (pork ribs), pinnekjøtt (dried lamb ribs), and lutefisk (dried fish). Many attend midnattsgudstjeneste (midnight mass) to welcome Christmas Day. Første juledag itself is spent with close family, enjoying a relaxed day filled with julemåltider (Christmas meals), exchanging julegaver (Christmas gifts), and reflecting on the spiritual significance of the holiday.
Boxing Day (Andre juledag) – December 26
Andre juledag is the day after Christmas, often spent visiting extended family and friends, enjoying restemat (leftover festive foods), and relaxing. It is also a popular day for romjulssalg (post-Christmas sales) in stores, where people can find great deals on various items. The day provides a perfect opportunity to continue the festive spirit in a more laid-back manner, often with outdoor activities if the weather permits.
Vocabulary List
- Nyttårsdag – New Year’s Day
- Nyttårsaften – New Year’s Eve
- Fyrverkeri – Fireworks
- Fester – Parties
- Familiesammenkomster – Family gatherings
- Nyttårsforsetter – New Year’s resolutions
- Skjærtorsdag – Maundy Thursday
- Den stille uke – Holy Week
- Den siste nattverden – The Last Supper
- Gudstjenester – Church services
- Påskeferie – Easter holiday
- Hytta – The cabin
- Langfredag – Good Friday
- Korsfestelse – Crucifixion
- Kirketjenester – Church services
- Påskedag – Easter Sunday
- Oppstandelse – Resurrection
- Familie måltider – Family meals
- Påskeegg jakt – Easter egg hunt
- Vårjevndøgn – Vernal equinox
- Lam – Lamb
- Andre påskedag – Easter Monday
- Våren – Spring
- Påsketur – Easter trip
- Arbeidernes dag – Labour Day
- Arbeidere – Workers
- Parader – Parades
- Taler – Speeches
- Politiske demonstrasjoner – Political demonstrations
- Fagforeninger – Labor unions
- Grunnlovsdag – Constitution Day
- Nasjonal stolthet – National pride
- Tog – Parade
- Bunad – Traditional Norwegian costume
- Barnetoget – Children’s parade
- Norske flagg – Norwegian flags
- Is – Ice cream
- Pølser – Hot dogs
- Kristi himmelfartsdag – Ascension Day
- Himmelfart – Ascension
- Pinsedag – Whit Sunday
- Den Hellige Ånd – Holy Spirit
- Første juledag – Christmas Day
- Fødsel – Birth
- Julemåltider – Christmas meals
- Julegaver – Christmas gifts
- Julaften – Christmas Eve
- Midnattsgudstjeneste – Midnight mass
- Ribbe – Pork ribs
- Pinnekjøtt – Dried lamb ribs
- Lutefisk – Dried fish
- Andre juledag – Boxing Day
- Restemat – Leftover festive foods
- Romjulssalg – Post-Christmas sales
Norway’s public holidays reflect its rich cultural and religious heritage, providing opportunities for reflection, celebration, and spending time with loved ones. These holidays are integral to Norwegian life, weaving a tapestry of traditions that bring communities together in joy and reverence.
