10 tips for the Christmas town of Drøbak

Drøbak is one of Norway's coziest Christmas towns, especially when the streets are decorated with hearts and strings of lights, Advent stars are hung in the windows of the old wooden houses and the big Christmas tree in the square is lit. Here are 10 tips for cozy Christmas experiences in Frogn and Drøbak:

1. The Christmas house and Santas post office

Tregaardens Julehus - better known as the Christmas House - offers a Christmas atmosphere all year round. The large yellow wooden house in Drøbak square is the only Christmas house open year-round in the Nordics and is an attraction in itself. All the kinds of Christmas decorations are sold here, from Christmas baubles and candlesticks to napkins and Christmas mice. Santa's post office is also located here! Because did you know that all mail addressed to Santa Claus in Norway ends up in Drøbak?

Letters to Santa Claus, Babbo Natale, Hoteiosho, Papai Noel, Viejo Pascuero, Dun Che Lao Ren, Père Noël, Father Christmas, Weihnachtsmann or Pai Natal with wishes for everything from material gifts to a better world - all end up in Drøbak. In the last 35 years, as many as 250,000 letters have arrived here in the small fjord town, 30 minutes south of Oslo. Here, adults and children alike can post their own Christmas letter, stamped with the post service's only official Santa stamp.

2. Christmas letters exhibition at Avistegnernes hus

The annual Christmas letter exhibition at the Norwegian Cartoonists House (Avistegnernes hus) opens normally in the end of November. 

There will also be a separate writing station where you can write and decorate your own letters or wish lists to Santa.

3. Santa sign and The Lutefisk Museum

The Norwegian Road Administration received an application on 12 March 1991 from the technical agency in Frogn municipality for permission to put up a danger sign for Santa Claus. This sign hangs in Osloveien when you drive down to Gamle Drøbak. Today there is also a more photogenic Santa sign in Drøbak boat harbour, right outside Drøbak Aquarium and Tourist Information. Both are perfect photo subjects and very Instagram friendly! Drøbak also houses the world's only lutefisk museum, one of the city's rarities! In the run-up to Christmas, it is possible to book private guided tours before trudging up the "Lutefiskavenyen" and enjoying lutefisk at, for example, the traditional restaurant Kumlegaarden.

4. Traditional Christmas food

Warm mulled wine, crunchy, crispy svern and homemade rice cream - there are many tasty highlights that come with Christmas. Several of the restaurants in Drøbak center have long traditions of serving Christmas food. The restaurants that will offer Christmas food this year are Kumlegaarden, Café Sjøstjernen, The Lobby at Reenskaug Hotel, Café Drøbak, Miramar Restaurant and Oscarsborg Hotel & Resort.

5. Unique Christmas shopping

Advent is an excellent time to shop sustainably and locally - and at the same time support local shops. Drøbak center is completely free of chain stores and is therefore a great place to find unique Christmas gifts. The niche shops in the center of Drøbak are known for high quality and sustainable fashion - all within walking distance of each other. The vast majority of shops are located in the Christmas-decorated streets Niels Carlsensgate, in Storgata and around the square and offer everything from local design to exclusive fashion and interiors. 

6. The Christmas tree lighting in Drøbak square

On the first Sunday in Advent, in Drøbak square there will be many activities for the whole family. The large Christmas tree in Drøbak square is lit early in the morning and the Christmas atmosphere will slowly but surely descend over the Christmas town of Drøbak. Between 15.00 and 17.00 there will be cultural elements from the stage in Drøbak square, and the kids will receive candy from Santas little helpers. 

7. Christmas at Follo museum 

In December, Christmas will be celebrated at Follo Museum: There will be a focus on Christmas food, decorated houses, and gift-making. Many exciting activities await. Read the entire Christmas program for follo museum here.

8. Christmas marked at Haneborg farm 

Every year there is a Christmas market at Haneborg Farm featuring local food, edible Christmas gifts, and other local favorites.

They invite local exhibitors selling lamb and sheepskin rugs, wreaths and Christmas flowers, art prints and crafts, homemade jams, and various mushroom products. There will be food and hot drinks for sale, as well as several varieties of traditional Christmas baked goods. They will light the Christmas tree and light a bonfire. The farm shop has an expanded selection, so here you can find everything you need for this year's Christmas shopping.

9. Santa hunt for qr-codes 

Use your phone and look for qr-codes around the city of Drøbak. 

The run-up to Christmas is saved for all pole hunters out there - in Drøbak, you can go on a "Santa Hunt" from the 1st of December. The Santa hunt takes place in Stolpejakten's already established and popular app and many poles are placed around the Christmas town of Drøbak. When you scan the various poles that are placed around Drøbak, you also get funny stories about why Drøbak is a Christmas town! 

Nisseportaler is a brand-new outdoor pre-Christmas activity this year in the app Storyteller Trails with aimed at children and young people. This concept was developed by Peter Spence in collaboration with the Drøbak Artist Forum. It involves finding 8 elf portals designed as charming little windows where the elves in the Christmas town of Drøbak live. At the portals, you will also find a QR code that you scan in the app, and you are tasked with solving a Christmas mystery. The activity will be launched mid November and will run until mid January.

10. Accommodations with Christmas spirit

Frogn and Drøbak have several great accommodations, which both offer winter magic and a Christmas atmosphere. The more than 100-year-old Reenskaug Hotel is located in the heart of Drøbak. The hotel is also known for decorating a little extra for Christmas.

At Oscarsborg Hotel & Resort, simple military barracks have been converted into beautiful hotel rooms, several with sea views. In winter, there is a very special peaceful spirit on the historic fortress island.

In Nordre Frogn there is a unique place to stay, the glass cabin NEST Bunnefjorden has both a sauna and a jacuzzi, so for those who rent the cabin get their own little spa - perfect when the thermometer gets in the negatives.