⁹Hei hei, Scoopers!

This is the last full Scoop before Christmas.

By now, you’ve probably had your julebord or possibly your second one the cupboards are starting to fill with pinnekjøtt and ribbe, and the remaining presents are either being wrapped… or quietly avoided until tomorrow.

This week’s Scoop leans into that in-between moment. We’ve lined up winter escapes for anyone dreaming beyond the city, a properly aspirational Dream Home, thoughtful local recommendations, and a full run-down of what’s on across Oslo as the year gently winds down.

There’s also a Scoop-exclusive Christmas tree discount, our Luxury Christmas Hamper winner, and a few calm ideas for enjoying the days just before Christmas Eve. And if you’re hosting or just want to sound like you know what you’re doing Pour Decisions should help you impress friends with your grasp of yuletide food and wine pairings.

Take what you need, skip what you don’t and enjoy the run-up.

Why go:
One of Europe’s coziest medieval Christmas markets. Wooden stalls, spiced glögg, fairy lights, and cobbled lanes that still feel like a fairy tale - but without the tourist crush you usually get in Prague. A perfect, atmospheric pre-Christmas escape.

Why go:
Salzburg in December feels like stepping onto the set of a Christmas film - Baroque churches, horse-drawn carriages, fortress views, and Advent concerts echoing through the old town. A romantic winter city break for those who love a traditional Christmas scene.

Why go:
Norway’s UNESCO-listed mining town becomes a snowy time capsule in winter. Lantern-lit streets, crunchy snow underfoot, and a calm, small-town Christmas atmosphere that feels untouched by the modern world. Charming, peaceful, and incredibly photogenic.

If you’ve ever wondered what £3-4 million buys you just outside Oslo… here it is.
Nesøya delivers again, this time with a 49-million-krone English-style manor that looks like it fell out of a period drama or a Premier league footballers starter home and landed gently on the north side of the island.

This is the kind of home where you don’t just host Christmas… you take bookings.

This is an architect-designed estate by Finn Sandmæl, spread across interconnected buildings around a private atrium. Everything has been upgraded in the last four years top to bottom, so it feels more “2025 luxury retreat” than “1990 villa”.

And yes…
It also includes access to a shared beachfront parcel with:

Huge, private, peaceful.
Perfect for someone who wants the space of a countryside estate but still be minutes from the sea and under 25 minutes from Oslo…in other words, me!

Tucked away on Bjerregaards gate 70, just above St. Hanshaugen, Néroli Skincare is one of Oslo’s most quietly elegant wellness spaces. It’s not just a salon – it’s a sanctuary built on calm energy, thoughtful treatments, and the art of slowing down.

With a 4.9-star rating on Google, locals clearly love this place. As one regular puts it: “Your pulse drops as soon as you walk in, and you’re always greeted with a smile. Highly recommended.”

Founded by Emma and Elisabeth and supported by a team of certified therapists and specialists, Néroli focuses on skin health and well-being rather than quick fixes. They blend the latest innovations in skincare with refined techniques to tailor every visit to your skin’s needs – warm, home-like, and deeply professional.

In partnership with Colors Of Norway, we bring you another festive Oslo image.

Do you recognise the building with its illuminations? If so let me know and the first correct answer will get an extra entry into Januarys promotion.

Tucked into Hegdehaugsveien, Plah is one of Oslo’s most influential Asian restaurants, the place that proved Thai flavours could belong in a Nordic fine-dining framework. Chef Terje Ommundsen has been refining this style since the early 2000s, long before modern Asian cuisine took hold in the city, and his commitment to fresh, house-made curry pastes and traditional techniques sets Plah apart from trend-driven imitators.

The tasting menu is the core of the experience: dishes move from bright, aromatic starters into deeper flavours built on freshly pounded curry pastes, slow-built broths, and beautifully balanced plates like grilled scallops, langoustine, and citrus-lifted seafood. It’s unmistakably Thai in flavour, but presented with the clarity and restraint of Scandinavian fine dining. Ommundsen’s street-food offshoot, Ahaan, now located upstairs, feeds creative energy back into Plah’s menu.

Service is calm, knowledgeable, and precise, with wine pairings chosen specifically to complement Thai aromatics, think high-acid whites and aromatic varietals rather than heavy reds. Plah isn’t cheap, but it has something more valuable: consistency. Year after year, it remains one of Oslo’s most reliable places for refined, technically disciplined, and deeply flavourful Thai cuisine.

If you’re looking for an English-speaking church that actually feels like a family, Grace International Church of Oslo might be the city’s best-kept secret.

It’s a warm, international fellowship that’s growing so fast they’ll soon need a bigger home. Services are relaxed, joyful, and genuinely welcoming – and after every service they serve a full hot meal buffet. As far as I know, they’re the only church in Oslo doing that every week, and the welcome is just as warm as the food.

You’ll find a mix of Norwegians, expats, and long-term locals who’ve found real friendship and faith under one roof – and around one table.

Latter at Aker Brygge is the hub of Norwegian standup, and December’s Julelatter shows always pull stronger line-ups than usual, often featuring TV-known comics, surprise drop-ins, and polished seasonal sets. It’s an easy, adult-friendly night out, perfectly paired with dinner on the Brygge, and regulars know the late shows have the best energy thanks to a looser crowd and comics testing sharper material.

A thoughtful, city-wide history walk focused on Oslo during the Nazi occupation (1940–45). Led by an English-speaking guide, the tour passes key landmarks such as the Royal Palace, Parliament, and Akershus Fortress, explaining how the war shaped the capital and daily life. Ideal if you want substance without the gimmicks, history told calmly, clearly, and with context.

Less military, more atmospheric. This guided evening walk blends Oslo’s historic streets with myths, legends, and darker tales from the city’s past, moving through Kvadraturen, Christiania Torv, and around the Cathedral. A niche alternative for anyone who enjoys history with storytelling and a good excuse for a winter evening walk.

Oslo Jul are officially partnering with The Scoop and they’re bringing both deals and decorations.

Adding to the Luxury Hamper
They’re contributing premium wreaths and Christmas ornaments, pushing the hamper value to over 4,000 NOK.

Oslo Jul’s trees come from Denmark specifically Nordmann fir (Abies nordmanniana) known for holding needles far better than the classic Norwegian spruce (Picea abies). They last longer, shed less, and stay lush all through Christmas.

1) Warm it up before bringing it inside
If your tree has been outdoors in the cold, let it warm up gradually in a garage, hallway, or sheltered spot.
A sudden jump from freezing air to a 23°C living room can shock the tree and cause early needle drop.

2) Give it a fresh cut before watering
Slice 1–2 cm off the base just before placing it in the stand.
This opens the pores so the tree can drink properly again.

3) Get it into water immediately
Nordmann firs can drink a surprising amount in the first 24–48 hours.
A steady water supply = a greener, happier, longer-lasting tree.

Deichman Bjørvika is quietly brilliant this time of year, especially on the upper floors as daylight fades. Fjord views, warm light, and a calm atmosphere make it one of the most peaceful indoor spaces in the city in the days before Christmas — and it’s completely free.

This historic cemetery in Grünerløkka is unexpectedly beautiful in the days before Christmas. Snow (if we’re lucky), bare trees, winter light, and a rare sense of stillness make it a quietly grounding place for a daytime walk away from the noise of the city.

A varied, end-of-year run across classical, comedy, rock, and tradition, one good reason to leave the house each day.

Oslo Philharmonic – Traditional Christmas Concert @ Oslo Konserthus
Big, polished, and properly festive, the classic Oslo December concert.

Deilig er jorden (Bettan / Rein Alexander / Anita Skorgan) @ Oslo Domkirke
A Norwegian Christmas staple inon eof the Tiger city’s most atmospheric setting.

The Nutcracker (Nøtteknekkeren) @ Den Norske Opera
The December ballet tradition, elegant, timeless, and beautifully staged.

Oslo Ess – Førjulstradisjonen @ Rockefeller
Loud, communal, and joyfully chaotic, a proper pre-Christmas Oslo ritual.

Julekonsert (Lewi Bergrud / Maria Solheim / Peter Hallström) @ Kulturkirken Jakob - Warm voices, candlelight, and a calmer Sunday reset before Christmas week.

Young Neils @ Rockefeller
Their annual pre-Christmas blow-out, singalong covers and big energy.

Nationaltheatrets Julekonsert @ Nationaltheatret
A graceful, end-of-term exhale before the shops close and the food begins.

Julaftensgudstjeneste @ Oslo Domkirke
Morning & afternoon services with strong musical programmes.The perfect way to see in Christmas.

Christmas in Norway comes with strong opinions, especially when it comes to food. While traditions vary across the country, this week we’re focusing on the two big ones: ribbe and pinnekjøtt and what actually drinks well alongside them.

If you’re serving ribbe and leaning towards white wine, go for something fresh and juicy to cut through the fat. A Riesling from Alsace or Germany works beautifully, as does a Chenin Blanc from the Loire or South Africa. Prefer red? Choose something full-bodied but lively, a California Pinot Noir, a Lebanese blend, or a well-developed Rioja Reserva all hold their own without overwhelming the plate.

For pinnekjøtt, whites with a little more generosity tend to shine. A Pinot Gris from Alsace or New Zealand brings just enough sweetness to balance the salt and richness of the dish. Red drinkers should look towards Syrah particularly from Australia, South Africa, or the Rhône, where the peppery notes work surprisingly well. If you want to go bigger and bolder, a Rioja Reserva or mature Bordeaux can be a great match.

And of course, Christmas isn’t only about wine. This is prime season for juleøl and aquavit, especially slightly more mature, rounded styles. And don’t forget a small glass of port with dessert… purely for balance, obviously.

God jul til alle sammen,
Luci B

The Scoop grows through word of mouth, so if you liked this week’s issue, send it to one friend and help me spread the word.
Behind the scenes, I’m also helping a handful of Oslo businesses get found and remembered. If that sounds like you, let’s talk.

📧 [email protected]
🔗 Subscribe/share

Stay curious, Oslo.

Spence

PS. Know someone in Oslo who’d love The Scoop? Hit reply with their email and I’ll add them.