What It’s Like to Celebrate Christmas in Svalbard

Christmas in Svalbard is unlike anywhere else in the world. With the Polar Night in full effect, the holiday season is cloaked in 24 hours of darkness, creating an intimate and otherworldly atmosphere. The snowy streets of Longyearbyen glow softly with lights strung along buildings, candles flickering in windows, and the quiet crunch of boots on fresh snow. There are no shopping malls or bustling crowds—just stillness, community, and the deep Arctic calm that defines December on the archipelago.

Locals and visitors gather around traditional Norwegian dishes in homes and restaurants alike. You might find yourself enjoying a hearty Christmas buffet at Funken Lodge or a festive evening at the Radisson Blu Polar Hotel. Meals typically feature ribbe (pork ribs), pinnekjøtt (dried lamb), and an abundance of homemade desserts like krumkake and riskrem. For many, the celebration is more about gathering than gifting, more about slowing down than speeding up.

Despite the darkness, Longyearbyen comes alive in subtle ways during the season. The annual Christmas market brings local crafts, warm drinks, and a rare chance to mingle with the entire town. Church services are held in the charming Svalbard Church, where both locals and travelers are welcomed with open arms. If you’re lucky, you might even hear a choir singing carols in Norwegian, adding an ethereal soundtrack to the Arctic night.

Tour companies continue to offer winter activities throughout December, tailored to the season. Dog sledding by headlamp, snowmobile tours under the stars, and guided northern lights hunts are all available. The absence of daylight doesn’t mean the end of adventure—it simply means the Arctic takes on a new rhythm. Everything slows, but nothing stops.

One of the most special things about celebrating Christmas here is the sense of isolation that becomes a gift in itself. There are no delivery trucks rushing to drop off last-minute packages, no long queues at department stores. Instead, there’s time to reflect, appreciate, and connect—whether it's around a fire in a cozy cabin or during a shared meal in town.

Flights to Svalbard do operate during the holiday season, though they can fill quickly due to limited schedules. Travelers should plan early, dress appropriately for temperatures that regularly fall below -15°C, and consider staying a bit longer to enjoy the rare opportunity of celebrating New Year’s Eve under a starry, silent sky. It’s also worth noting that daylight doesn’t return until mid-January, adding to the mystical feel of an Arctic Christmas.

While Christmas in Svalbard isn’t traditional by most standards, it offers something deeper. It’s a celebration stripped of excess, illuminated by stars and stories, and warmed by human connection in one of the most remote inhabited places on Earth. For those willing to trade Christmas lights for northern lights, it’s an unforgettable way to spend the season.