Your weekend guide
Adventures in Stavanger and beyond December 19th to 21th.
Hi,
Honestly, pinch me, what a weekend! It started with a light show and ended with a horse gala at Jæren (which was really great), and in between there was a Christmas market at Bærheim (with the coziest Christmas workshop) and a Guinness World Record attempt that succeeded.
As expected, the Guinness World Record attempt at Ølberg was absolutely magical. Watching (yes, my son and I were spectators) more than 3,100 (!) people of all ages go into the water on a cold day was inspiring in itself. But when they were standing out there in the water, and the sun suddenly started shining (!), and they cheered each other on with group singing and smiling it became truly moving, and there were tears of joy from me and many others <3 Knowing that two incredibly passionate women have worked for an entire year to make this happen (and for it to be free for everyone), and actually succeeded, is just beyond. If you weren’t there this time, you have to experience it next time. The contagious energy is something of its own.
NB! This will be the last newsletter before Christmas and the holiday break. The next newsletter will come out the second weekend in January. BUT that doesn’t mean there aren’t amazing things to do in the region. I have created a guide at the bottom of this newsletter with things you can do almost anytime. Many of these will be familiar to those of you who’ve been following along from the beginning <3
I wish you and your loved ones a wonderful holiday season and a happy New Year. I’m really looking forward to continuing this newsletter in 2026.
If you’re reading this for the first time - welcome! This is my weekly newsletter, sent out every Wednesday (nyhetsbrev på norsk her). My philosophy in life: every place in the world has something exciting happening. I believe there is always something to experience, no matter where you are (in fact, I’m willing to bet I can find something for you no matter where in the world you are reading from*). Sometimes it is big events, other times small experiences that make a weekend memorable. Everything I pick out is something I am considering doing myself, with or without two small children.
These are my tips for things to do in Stavanger and beyond this weekend:
Heads up: often the pages are in Norwegian, but you can always use Google Translate to check them out.
Friday
Sans kids
Christmas Party at Utstein Kloster Hotel: Christmas buffet, drinks at the bar, and live music in idyllic surroundings. Sounds like an awesome start to the weekend. Doors open at 18:00. Tickets (free without food and NOK 595 with food) here.
Saturday
Mascot Meet & Greet at Vinterland: Meet mascots and teddy bears ready for hugs, dancing, and photos. Plenty of other entertainment promised as well. Free. From 11:00 to 15:00. More info here.
Bamsebonanza at the Oilers Game: For over ten years, this has been a tradition for the hockey team Oilers. Children and adults throw teddy bears (bamse) onto the rink after the end of the game. The teddy bears are then collected and donated to the children’s ward at Stavanger University Hospital and the Stine Sofie Foundation. The game starts at 16:00. Tickets start at NOK 110 per person and can be found here.
Christmas Concert at Madlamark Church: Good old-fashioned Christmas spirit is promised when local, talented musicians perform Christmas songs. Coffee and cakes for sale before the concert. Free. Doors open at 16:00, concert starts at 17:00. More info here.
Sans kids
Brunch and Beats – Christmas Edition at Veranda: DJ with Christmas music with a twist, plus mulled wine, champagne, and Christmas cocktails. Sounds tempting to me. From 14:00. Book a table here.
Give a Christmas – Blues Edition: Blues concert by local musicians. All ticket proceeds this evening go to support the organization Gi en Jul (“Give a Christmas”). Doors open at 20:00. Tickets here.
Sunday
Open Hall at Ålgård: Free play in a large hall sounds like a great way to spend a Sunday morning. Costs NOK 20 per child. From 10:00 to 12:00. More info here.
Christmas in the Troll Forest: Scavenger and Santa hunt in a forest on Hundvåg. Sounds pretty perfect. From 13:00 to 16:00. Children’s ticket NOK 39, adults free. Tickets here.
Concert with Inger Lise Hope at Vinterland: Stavanger’s own Inger Lise Hope (she has a voice of an angel) will hold a free Christmas concert at Vinterland. Sounds fantastic! From 17:00. More info here.
Sans kids
Santa Run with LOFT: Put on a Santa hat, warm up with good music at LOFT, then head out for a 3 km run through Stavanger city center. Back at LOFT, treat yourself to a refreshing drink and enjoy the award ceremony for best Christmas outfit. Sounds like a brilliant way to spend a Sunday! From 13:30. More info here.
The weekend
Solheim Gard: I mentioned this place a few weeks ago but it deserves another recommendation. Visit with over 150 animals at the farm decked in Christmas decorations. Sold out most time slots, but still available this Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 to 13:00. Tickets: free under 1 year, NOK 199 for everyone over 1 year. More info and tickets here.
Christmas “hygge” and Christmas workshop at Woodling: Woodling is a Norwegian clothing brand based in Jæren, Rogaland. This weekend they are hosting Christmas shopping and a Christmas workshop where you make decorations from their leftover fabrics. Saturday 11:00 - 15:00 and Sunday 12:00 - 15:00. More info here.
Barnas Jul Christmas farm at Vigrestad: This is a bit of a drive but oh so worth it. This farm has a Christmas exhibition unlike none other, animals of all sorts, different fun activities (interactive and built by the farmer himself) and yummy local (as in the farms own) food. Ticketed. Available until 23rd of December. For more info here.
Tips for stops you can make almost anytime
Great for Christmas spirit:
“Jul i Svingen” at Randaberg: For many years, a small neighborhood street, Nyvollsvingen in Randaberg, has been decorated for Christmas. They have done it again this year. Visit after dark and drive through the street. Truly cozy!
Hageland Tronsholen: This shop takes Christmas decorations to the next level and is worth a visit just to look around. Enjoy!
Playgrounds:
Did you know there are around 400 playgrounds in Stavanger municipality? The municipality has made a map: see the map here. Here are two of my favorites (I always have to climb a tower, so these are really my favorites 😂):
Playground in Klepp town center, with a hot dog from Pølsebuå at Håland before or after (you can sit inside the grill hut at Håland if the shop is open).
Playground at Lervig School in East Stavanger: Endless playgrounds gathered in one place, and several nearby cafés where you can grab food or coffee.
Nature Experiences
There are plenty, but here are some of my favorites:
The Fairytale Forest in Årdal: A true fairytale forest walk with or without kids. Free and always open. And while you’re there, stop by Ryfylke Bakeri og Konditori in Årdal (yummy!).
Randabergfjellet: A short but absolutely fantastic walk with views over the ocean and beach. A shelter hut halfway along the trail is perfect for a break and daydreaming. Park at the top (Randaberggeilen 20).
The storm hut in Madland Hamn. Probably one of the few places that gets better the worse the weather gets. Drive down to the picturesque harbor and open the stunning hut (there is a electronic button outside). Bring snacks, bundle up and enjoy the views. If bringing kids - let them roam free.
Fjøløy Fort: The stunning ocean views and the short but lovely walk make the drive worthwhile in almost any weather. And if you have energetic kids, the playground by Skorpefjell Kindergarten is worth a stop. Fun for the kids, beautiful sea views for you.
Vassøy: This small island in the fjord has a free car ferry (at least for now). Fifteen minutes each way on deck with views and sea air is balm for my soul. There are great walking paths, a local shop, and a playground. Timetable here (there may be slight changes during the holidays).
Indoors
Hå Gamle Prestegård: Art, café (with a great playroom), and beautiful nature with walking paths (plus a really nice drive out there). Highly recommended year-round.
TS Museum at Tjelta: Over 180 vintage tractors, cars, motorcycles, and trucks. Considered Norway’s largest and best-preserved collection of vintage vehicles. Free entry, open daily from 10:00 - 16:00.
Jerseymeieriet: The dairy of all dairies, in my humble opinion. Whether it’s ice cream, butter, sour cream, or milk, it’s some of the best you’ll find and well worth a stop. Both to see where it’s made and to grab some goodies from the shop. Info about the farm shop here.
Museums in Stavanger: There are several gems among these 8 associated museums. One ticket allows entrance to all other open museums on the same day. Opening hours during the Christmas holidays are listed here.
Hope you are inspired to try some of these things and that you have a great weekend and holiday!
Thank you so much for reading my newsletter. My goal is to send this out every Wednesday with my weekend tips (and occasionally weekday ones) for Stavanger and the surrounding area. If you’d like to get it straight to your inbox, hit “subscribe” and feel free to share it with a friend who might need some weekend inspiration.
* If you’re reading this from somewhere outside Stavanger, feel free to challenge me to find something for you :)