New Year’s Eve is a joyous celebration that is widely observed around the world. In America, the New Year is rung in by the big ball drop in Times Square, popped bottles of champagne, and a kiss with a significant other. Most people mark the occasion by spending it with their closest family and friends. The same can be said for Norway.
In Norway, friends and family usually meet for dinner at a hytte (cabin) or at someone’s home to celebrate Nyttårsaften (New Year’s Eve). Happiness and joy are two emotions that accompany them as they celebrate the evening with one another, dressed in their best. As in North America, there isn’t a traditional dinner on New Year’s Eve, it varies by household. However, wine is considered essential during the meal.
After the meal is done, young children often play with sparklers or small fireworks before they are called to bed. There is also a tradition called Nyttårsbukk, similar to trick-or-treating, that occurs on New Year’s Eve. Young children visit houses in their neighborhood and sing New Year’s songs in exchange for candies. The real firework display occurs at midnight when adults and older children gather in the streets to watch the town light up with fireworks! Along with the firework show, everyone wishes each other “Godt Nytt År, takk for det gamle” (Happy New Year, thank you for the past year). It is advised to dress warm if you’re celebrating the New Year in Norway as people often spend a fair amount of time outside around midnight.
New Year’s Day in Norway is relatively low-key. Many spend the day resting from the prior night’s festivities. The King gives a speech on New Year’s Day and many watch it on TV.
Regardless of how New Year’s is celebrated in Norway, it is a time for all to bid farewell to the previous year and welcome the New Year with joyful bliss.