Bilde fra julegrantenningen og fakkeltoget på Sundre, Ål Sentrum
Share the post

Find the Christmas spirit in Ål in Hallingdal

It starts small. The tops turn white. Then the lights are lit in the streets of Sundre, the Christmas decorations move into the shops, a star is hung in the window, and small and big people start to look forward to everything that belongs to Christmas. The Christmas spirit in Ål also comes like this. Little by little.

Christmas in Ål is filled with singing around the Christmas tree, light walks through the city center, and children waiting for Santa Claus. Here you can fill the pre-Christmas season with Christmas dinners, concerts, Christmas shopping, and local flavors, before Christmas Eve takes over with skiing, sledding, and time spent outside in the snow. Here we have gathered Christmas events and activities in Ål throughout the Christmas season of 2026.

Brief information about Christmas in Ål 2026

For those who want to find the Christmas spirit in the mountains, Ål is located in the middle of Hallingdal, with Christmas events, winter activities, and experiences for young and old alike.

  1. Christmas caroling and light-trail walk on Sundre
  2. Christmas buffet and local flavors from Ål
  3. Christmas workshop and Christmas shopping in one
  4. Christmas concerts and pre-Christmas events in Ål
  5. Christmas in Ål
  6. Activities during the Christmas season

1st Christmas Eve celebration and light walk on Sundre

Julegrantenning i Ål
The Christmas celebration in Ål. Photo: Ole Kristian Bøen

There is something special about the first Sunday of Advent in Ål. The darkness has descended, and people gather around the Christmas tree in the center of town. When the lights are lit, there is singing and dancing around the tree.

Afterwards, the light walk goes through the city center on horseback and sled. The tour ends at Ål Culture House, where there will be mulled wine, a meeting with Santa Claus, and a small Christmas concert. This marks the start of Advent in Ål.

2nd Christmas feast and local flavors from Ål

Kåre Berg som spiller på torader på Bergsjøstølen Fjellstue i Ål
Dog sledding at Bergsjøstølen Fjellstue. Photo: Vegard Breie

One of the nicest things about the Christmas season is that it gives us a reason to get together. At Bergsjøstølen Fjellstue, the Christmas feast can be combined with dog sledding, ice fishing, beer tasting or a panorama bath. At Topcamp Hallingdal, there are Christmas feast evenings with live music, first with a troubadour and later with Funkytown.

Read more and book the Christmas feast at Bergsjøstølen Fjellstue

At home, the Christmas feast can also taste the flavor of Ål. Here, they make some of Norway’s best pork. Garden Oppheim has won the National Championship gold several times, most recently with gold for both smoked and raw pork in 2025, while Vats Gardsmat processes lamb that has grazed in the mountains around Ål.

Find local pork from Ål

3rd Christmas Workshop and Christmas Shopping in One

When the Christmas lights are on and the shop windows are filled with presents, it’s nice to take some time out in Sundre. On November 28, the children can join a Christmas workshop at Ål library, while the adults can stroll through the shops and find something nice for the people you love.

At Galleri Syningen you can visit the Christmas exhibition «The Cold and Beautiful Season», and when it’s time for a break, it’s just a short walk to homemade food, fresh pastries and something warm to drink at Kim Rudi Kafé, TID Kafé and the local grocery store or Ål Bakeri.

4th Christmas concerts and pre-Christmas events in Ål

In Ål, Christmas is celebrated through playing, singing and dancing. When the December darkness descends over the town, the lights are lit on the stages in Ål. There will be opera and Christmas jazz, folk music, modern Christmas music, humor and well-known Christmas songs. 

Just before Christmas, Tanken Arena also invites you to Hjem til jul, with music, games and pleasant reunions. The evening is open to everyone, whether you are from here, have recently moved here, or are visiting.

Christmas events in Ål 2026

Christmas dinner with a troubadour
November 14 at 18:00
Topcamp Hallingdal

Opera pub - Ål by night!
November 27th from 19:00
The Opera Barn

Christmas workshop
November 28th from 12:00 to 15:00
Ål library

Kristian Finborud – Christmas Exhibition
November 28 at 14:00
Gallery Sewing

Christmas tree lighting and light walk
November 29 at 16:00
Sundre and Ål Cultural Centre

 

Stuff me backwards into the birdhouse!
November 29th at 2pm. 14.00 & 18:00
Ål Cultural Centre

Christmas buffet with Funkytown
December 4 at 18:00
Topcamp Hallingdal

The operation!
December 5 at 7:00 PM
The Opera Barn

Frode Grytten Beat Band: Absolute Christmas ambivalence!
December 9 at 19:00
Ål Cultural Centre

 

Darling West: Lights
December 11 at 19:00
Ål Cultural Centre

Christmas concert with Torill Kvalvågnes and Levor Vestheim
December 12 at 13:00
TID Café and retail

Eldar Vågan Trio: Pearls for pigs…e…ribbe!
December 16 at 19:00
Ål Cultural Centre

 

Christmas illumination
December 18 at 19:00
Sprang, Ål Cultural Center

Christmas jazz
December 19 at 19:00
The Opera Barn

 Pub at home for Christmas
December 19th from 20:00
Tanks Arena

5th Christmas in Ål

When Christmas Eve has settled in and Santa has gone on his way, it is time for the Christmas season and the New Year.

On the second Christmas Day, Topcamp invites you to a Christmas celebration with a troubadour, a band and a DJ. A few days later, local musicians, returning revelers and the audience meet at Julejam at Tanken Arena.

In Skarslia, the Christmas celebration continues outside in the snow, with Norway’s largest Christmas center and Christmas activities such as a Christmas nature trail, a Christmas ski race, mulled wine, gingerbread cookies, and after-ski.

This happens during the Christmas holidays

Christmas Eve with mulled wine and gingerbread cookies
December 26th, 12:00–13:00
Skarslia Ski and Activity Centre

Christmas celebration at Topcamp
December 26th from 18:00
Topcamp Hallingdal

Joule race for the children
December 27th, 12:00–13:00
Skarslia Ski and Activity Centre

Afterski
December 27th from 15:00 to 17:00
Skarslia Ski and Activity Centre

Julejam
December 29th from 19:00
Tanks Arena

Christmas Eve with mulled wine and gingerbread cookies
December 30th, 12:00–13:00
Skarslia Ski and Activity Centre

New Year fireworks
December 31st at midnight
Skarslia Ski and Activity Centre

6. Activities during Christmas

When the Christmas dinners have settled down a bit, it’s good to get out and about. At Tveitehaug Gård you can join in. Alpaca hiking, While Bergsjøstølen offers ice fishing, skydiving, sauna and ice bathing. At Skarslia you will find both knocking and Alpine skiing for the whole family.

If the weather is best from the inside, the children can visit Playground at Topcamp or The bullfighting arena at Tanken Arena, Or the family can go for a walk Ål cinema.

Little by little, Christmas arrives

Maybe that’s exactly how the Christmas spirit comes. In the lights at Sundre, a song you recognize, red cheeks after a day in the snow or around a table with people you love.

Something has been a tradition for a long time, something is new, and something may become a tradition this Christmas. Here in Ål, there is room for all of that.

 

Christmas in Ål is filled with singing around the Christmas tree, light walks through the city center, and children waiting for Santa Claus. Here you can fill the pre-Christmas season with Christmas dinners, concerts, Christmas shopping, and local flavors, before Christmas Eve takes over with skiing, sledding, and time spent outside in the snow. Here we have gathered Christmas events and activities in Ål throughout the Christmas season of 2026.

Julegrantenning i Ål
The Christmas celebration in Ål. Photo: Ole Kristian Bøen

Brief information about Jula in Ål 2026

For those who want to find the Christmas spirit in the mountains, Ål is located in the middle of Hallingdal, with Christmas events, winter activities, and experiences for young and old alike.

  1. Christmas caroling and light-trail walk on Sundre
  2. Christmas buffet and local flavors from Ål
  3. Christmas workshop and Christmas shopping in one
  4. Christmas concerts and pre-Christmas events in Ål
  5. Christmas in Ål
  6. Activities during the Christmas season

1st Christmas Eve celebration and light walk on Sundre

There is something special about the first Sunday of Advent in Ål. The darkness has descended, and people gather around the Christmas tree in the center of town. When the lights are lit, there is singing and dancing around the tree.

Afterwards, the light walk goes through the city center on horseback and sled. The tour ends at Ål Culture House, where there will be mulled wine, a meeting with Santa Claus, and a small Christmas concert. This marks the start of Advent in Ål.

Read more about the Christmas procession and light walk in Sundre
Sunday 29th November at 16:00

Kåre Berg som spiller på torader på Bergsjøstølen Fjellstue i Ål
Dog sledding at Bergsjøstølen Fjellstue. Photo: Visit Ål

2nd Christmas feast and local flavors from Ål

One of the nicest things about the Christmas season is that it gives us a reason to get together. At Bergsjøstølen Fjellstue, the Christmas feast can be combined with dog sledding, ice fishing, beer tasting or a panorama bath. At Topcamp Hallingdal, there are Christmas feast evenings with live music, first with a troubadour and later with Funkytown.

Read more and book the Christmas feast at Bergsjøstølen Fjellstue

At home, the Christmas feast can also taste the flavor of Ål. Here, they make some of Norway’s best pork. Garden Oppheim has won the National Championship gold several times, most recently with gold for both smoked and raw pork in 2025, while Vats Gardsmat processes lamb that has grazed in the mountains around Ål.

Find local pork from Ål

3rd Christmas Workshop and Christmas Shopping in One

When the Christmas lights are on and the shop windows are filled with presents, it’s nice to take some time out in Sundre. On November 28, the children can join a Christmas workshop at Ål library, while the adults can stroll through the shops and find something nice for the people you love.

At Galleri Syningen you can visit the Christmas exhibition «The Cold and Beautiful Season», and when it’s time for a break, it’s just a short walk to homemade food, fresh pastries and something warm to drink at Kim Rudi Kafé, TID Kafé and the local grocery store or Ål Bakeri.

Juleverksted på Ål bibliotek
Ai generated the image for the Christmas workshop

4th Christmas concerts and pre-Christmas events in Ål

In Ål, Christmas is celebrated through playing, singing and dancing. When the December darkness descends over the town, the lights are lit on the stages in Ål. There will be opera and Christmas jazz, folk music, modern Christmas music, humor and well-known Christmas songs. 

Just before Christmas, Tanken Arena also invites you to Hjem til jul, with music, games and pleasant reunions. The evening is open to everyone, whether you are from here, have recently moved here, or are visiting.

Bilde av Eldar Vågan trio: Perler for svin...e...ribbe!
Poster for Eldar Vågen Trio's Christmas performance

Christmas events in Ål 2026

Christmas dinner with a troubadour
November 14 at 18:00
Topcamp Hallingdal

Opera pub - Ål by night!
November 27th from 19:00
The Opera Barn

Christmas workshop
November 28th from 12:00 to 15:00
Ål library

Kristian Finborud – Christmas Exhibition 2026
November 28 at 14:00
Gallery Sewing

Stuff me backwards into the birdhouse!
November 29th at 14:00 · Ål Culture House

Christmas tree lighting and light walk
November 29 at 16:00
Sundre and Ål Cultural Centre

Stuff me backwards into the birdhouse!
November 29 at 18:00
Ål Cultural Centre

Christmas buffet with Funkytown
December 4 at 18:00
Topcamp Hallingdal

The operation!
December 5 at 7:00 PM
The Opera Barn

Frode Grytten Beat Band: Absolute Christmas ambivalence!
December 9 at 19:00
Ål Cultural Centre

Darling West: Lights
December 11 at 19:00
Ål Cultural Centre

Christmas concert with Torill Kvalvågnes and Levor Vestheim
December 12 at 13:00
TID Café and retail

Eldar Vågan Trio: Pearls for pigs…e…ribbe!
December 16 at 19:00
Ål Cultural Centre

Christmas illumination
December 18 at 19:00
Sprang, Ål Cultural Center

Christmas jazz
December 19 at 19:00
The Opera Barn

Pub at home for Christmas
December 19th from 20:00
Tanks Arena

See all events in Ål

Grafikk av kunstner Kristian Finborud
Painting by Kristian Finborud that is the Christmas exhibition of the year in Ål

5th Christmas in Ål

When Christmas Eve has settled in and Santa has gone on his way, it is time for the Christmas season and the New Year.

On the second Christmas Day, Topcamp invites you to a Christmas celebration with a troubadour, a band and a DJ. A few days later, local musicians, returning revelers and the audience meet at Julejam at Tanken Arena.

In Skarslia, the Christmas celebration continues outside in the snow, with Norway’s largest Christmas center and Christmas activities such as a Christmas nature trail, a Christmas ski race, mulled wine, gingerbread cookies, and after-ski.

Konsert på Tanken Arena
Photo from a concert at Tanken Arena. Photo: Vegard Breie

This happens during the Christmas holidays

Christmas Eve with mulled wine and gingerbread cookies
December 26th, 12:00–13:00
Skarslia Ski and Activity Centre

Christmas celebration at Topcamp
December 26th from 18:00
Topcamp Hallingdal

Joule race for the children
December 27th, 12:00–13:00
Skarslia Ski and Activity Centre

Afterski
December 27th from 15:00 to 17:00
Skarslia Ski and Activity Centre

Julejam
December 29th from 19:00
Tanks Arena

Christmas Eve with mulled wine and gingerbread cookies
December 30th, 12:00–13:00
Skarslia Ski and Activity Centre

New Year fireworks
December 31st at midnight
Skarslia Ski and Activity Centre

Julekos i Skarslia ski-&akesenter
Christmas decorations at Skarslia Ski & Aquacentre. Photo: Håkon Mæland

6. Activities during Christmas

When the Christmas dinners have settled down a bit, it’s good to get out and about. At Tveitehaug Gård you can join in. Alpaca hiking, While Bergsjøstølen offers ice fishing, skydiving, sauna and ice bathing. At Skarslia you will find both knocking and Alpine skiing for the whole family.

If the weather is best from the inside, the children can visit Playground at Topcamp or The bullfighting arena at Tanken Arena, Or the family can go for a walk Ål cinema.

Bilde fra akebakken i Skarslia i Ål, Norges største Akesenter
Aking in Skarslia Ski and Ski Center. Photo: Håkon Mæland

Little by little, Christmas arrives

Maybe that’s exactly how the Christmas spirit comes. In the lights at Sundre, a song you recognize, red cheeks after a day in the snow or around a table with people you love.

Something has been a tradition for a long time, something is new, and something may become a tradition this Christmas. Here in Ål, there is room for all of that.