December in Oslo, Norway is a jammed packed with festivities and events. Not only is the month of the Nobel Peace Prize prize ceremony held on December 10 in City Hall, but the city opens its doors to Christmas markets and holds back to back Christmas festivities. Karl Johan street becomes "Christmas Street" in December, with lights and decorations strung from every post and window. Like most shops in Scandinavia this time of year, Oslo shops will have extended holiday hours, including from 2-6:00pm on the last three Sundays before Christmas.
Listen to Sissel Kyrkjebø sing Nordic Christmas songs at the Oslo Spektrum Arena on Saturdays from December 2-12. Or, see one of the many performances in the month of December of the Nutcracker at Den Norsk Opera.
If you start to feel "Christmassed-out" and all of the merrymaking does not make you feel relaxed and peaceful, consider visiting to the Nobel Peace Center in Oslo, at Rådhusplassen (open every day except Mondays) to learn about the history of the Nobel Peace Prize and to see exhibitions highlighting global humanitarian and peace challenges.