Traditions that make Easter in Norway totally unique
If you're spending Easter in Norway, prepare for a period unlike any other, because Norway takes its holidays very seriously. Easter holidays elsewhere might bring to mind egg hunts and bunnies, but here, it's all about oranges (and orange soda), crime novels, and cabin life!
With several days off thanks to public holidays, you can expect grocery store chaos, skiing in the sunshine, and binge-reading murder mysteries over a typical Norwegian Easter.
Here's your guide to experiencing påske the Norwegian way.
From skiing in the sun to reading crime novels and drinking orange soda, Easter in Norway is something totally unique.
Norwegian Easter dates (2025 and 2026)
In Norwegian, Easter is called påske, and it's a major holiday period in Norway. Many people take time off starting the weekend before Easter, and schools and workplaces may shut down for over a week! It’s a time when cities get quiet and feel empty, while cabins around the country fill up.
With all the public holidays around the period, planning ahead is essential, especially if you’re new to the country.
The Easter holiday period begins with Palm Sunday (palmesøndag) on April 13, 2025, followed by several important public holidays:
Maundy Thursday (skjærtorsdag): April 16, 2025
Good Friday (langfredag): April 17, 2025
Easter Saturday (påskeaften): April 18, 2025 (not an official public holiday, but most stores close early)
Easter Sunday (påskedag): April 19, 2025
Easter Monday (2. påskedag): April 20, 2025
Looking ahead to 2026, Easter falls slightly earlier in the calendar:
Palm Sunday (palmesøndag): March 29, 2026
Maundy Thursday (skjærtorsdag): April 2, 2026
Good Friday (langfredag): April 3, 2026
Easter Saturday (påskeaften): April 4, 2026
Easter Sunday (påskedag): April 5, 2026
Easter Monday (2. påskedag): April 6, 2026
During Easter time, most businesses and grocery stores in Norway will be closed from Thursday through Monday, so it's important to shop and prepare in advance. Grocery stores get extremely busy in the days before the Easter holidays. Stock up in advance to avoid long lines or limited selection.
Don’t forget that the government-run alcohol stores (Vinmonopolet) also close early the day before a public holiday, so make sure to double-check the hours if you plan to hit the polet before the holidays.
Read more: Public holidays in Norway 2025
Watch my video for Visit Norway about Norwegian Easter traditions:
Norway’s strange and unique Easter traditions explained
Unlike anywhere else, Norway celebrates Easter with a fascinating mix of coziness, outdoor adventure, and murder mysteries. Let’s take a look at the customs that make this season truly Norwegian!
Oranges, chocolate, and orange soda: the traditional Easter meal
During Easter, it’s almost a rule to snack on oranges, Kvikk Lunsj, and Solo: a combination that’s hard to explain but beloved across the country. Bonus points if you enjoy all three while out hiking or on the ski trail! Or perched in the sunshine against the side of a cabin or trail shed. Locals call this sunny sitting spot solveggen (literally “the sun wall”).
Kvikk Lunsj is a chocolate bar that looks like a KitKat but is deeply connected to Norwegian hiking culture (so be careful when comparing them loudly in public). Solo is a sweet, orange-flavored soda that somehow becomes a seasonal staple, especially when paired with raske briller (“fast glasses” or sporty sunglasses) and snow.
Fun fact: it’s estimated that there are around 7 million liters of Solo and Solo Super (sugar-free) sold in Norway just around Easter time. This accounts for 20% in annual sales of the orange soda!
Easter is the time for crime
Another uniquely Norwegian tradition is påskekrim, or "Easter crime."
No, we don’t mean that crimes spikes in April! Rather, it’s a nationwide obsession with murder mysteries. Bookstores dedicate entire displays to crime novels, and publishers even print short stories on milk cartons. This cultural quirk dates back to the 1920s, when a publisher promoted a crime novel with an Easter-themed ad campaign, and the tradition has stuck.
Today, whether it’s binge-watching Netflix thrillers or reading a whole Jo Nesbø novel in one sitting, crime and Easter go hand-in-hand.
Cabin life and closing up the ski season
For many in Norway, the Easter holiday means heading to the mountains for some cabin life and spring skiing. This is the season of hyttekos—coziness at the cabin. Families gather for board games, simple meals, and long days of cross-country skiing or sunbathing in snow gear. The snow tends to be softer and the skies sunnier, making it one of the best times of year for a mountain escape. If you hear a Norwegian say "Vi skal på hytta" around this time of year, it simply means they’re headed to their cabin.
Read more: How to enjoy cabin life in Norway (and where to start for newcomers)
Enjoy the cherry blossoms during bypåske
But not everyone leaves town. There’s also a growing number of people who enjoy what’s known as bypåske, or “city Easter”. This quieter celebration is all about taking it easy in urban areas—grabbing coffee with friends, enjoying blooming cherry blossoms, or taking peaceful walks through empty streets while the rest of the country is away.
Easter-themed everything
Meanwhile, Norwegian grocery stores go all out during Easter. In the weeks leading up to the holiday, shops transform with bright yellow displays and seasonal packaging. You’ll see påskegodt (Easter candy), chocolate eggs, marzipan, and even limited-edition påskebrus, Easter-flavored or themed sodas that show up just around this time of year!
Entering the Norwegian supermarkets around Eastertime (or other holidays for that matter) can feel a little chaotic with all the themed decorations and foods, but we suggest you take the opportunity to hunt for limited-time snacks. Maybe you’ll find your next favorite!
What to expect during Norwegian Easter as a foreigner
If this is your first time experiencing Easter in Norway, you might be surprised by how quiet the country becomes. With stores closed for several days and friends heading to the mountains, it can feel a bit isolating unless you're prepared. If you're working during the holiday, you may even find that offices are empty. On the flip side, it’s a great time to explore nature, start a new book, or plan a cozy weekend in.
Public transport usually runs on reduced schedules. Cafés and restaurants may be open during the weekend, but availability varies by location. Make sure to check opening hours well in advance and stock up on food and essentials before the first days of the holiday begin.
Whether you end up in the mountains, enjoying a snowy hike with oranges and Kvikk Lunsj, or opt for cherry blossoms and calm cafés in the city, Easter in Norway offers a truly unique blend of peace, tradition, and unexpected quirks. Let the yellow displays, sunny ski trails, and cozy crime stories draw you into this distinctive Scandinavian celebration.
God påske!
Read more: Are you having a bypåske in Oslo this year? Take the opportunity to explore the city and the Oslo region! Check out this blog post from Oslopolitan with some tips on what to do and see.
