Christmas in Norway, 2025: An Advent Calendar of Norwegian Folklore

Count down to Christmas by withdrawing into the vast forests of northern Europe for a few minutes each day.

Here are twenty-four texts of Norwegian folklore, most never before translated into English, and all professionally edited, to amuse and distract you during your preparations for the festive period.

How the Fox Got His Name of Mikkel A legend published by Ole Tobias Olsen in 1912.Old Christmas Customs An article published by Thrond Sjursen Haukenæs in 1885.Good Morning - Axe Handle A folktale published by Ole Tobias Olsen in 1912.When the Mice Wanted to Hang a Bell on the Cat A fable published by Mathilde Munch in 1928.Sobbing-and-Sorrow A folktale published by Hallvard Bergh in 1882.The Christmas Tree from the Sea A literary legend published by Regine Normann in 1920.The Fox and the Billy-Goat A folktale communicated by Hallvor Aakre, and published by Johannes Skar in 1913.South of the South and North of the North, by the Great Golden Mountain A folktale published by Kristofer Janson in 1878.The Troll’s and the Gyger’s Counting Contest A folktale published in 1913.The Bend A legend published by Rasmus Løland in 1904.The Kid Who Could Count to Ten A counting tale published by Alf Prøysen in 1954.Wolf Greyshanksson Poochstead A folktale published by Dina Thorsen in 1876.The Mountain Fellow and the Great Drummer A folktale published by N. Vonen in 1869.The Magpie Calls A literary fable by Simon Roy Hughes.A Troll at Christmas A folktale published by Torkell Mauland in 1928.The Cat and the Mouse A folktale published by Halfdan Egedius in 1894.When the Hen Went to the Troll’s Place to Take Back Her Husband A folktale communicated by Marit Haugen, recorded by E. Langset in 1915, and retold by Simon Roy Hughes.The Man’s Skull A folktale published by Ivar Aasen in 1855.The Boy Who Tamed the Troll A literary tale published by Jacob B. Bull in 1928.Nisses in Telemark An article by Magnus Brostrup Landstad (1802–1880), published posthumously in 1926.The Light in the Stable A literary legend published by Astrid and Olaf Thalberg in 1929.The Hulder Bride A poem by Simon Roy Hughes.A Boar and a Sow A folktale communicated by Pauline Paulsen, and recorded by Thora Skolmen in the early 1900s.An Old-Fashioned Christmas Eve A hulder tale and folk legend published by Peter Christen Asbjørnsen in 1845.