Halden, Norway is offering a diverse range of activities for residents and visitors during the current winter holiday, from traditional winter sports to cultural events and free family-friendly options.
Several of Halden’s sportshytter – sport cabins – are open to the public, including Venåshytta, Ormtjernhytta, Ertehytta, and Høyåshytta. All are open on Sundays, with Høyåshytta too welcoming visitors on Thursday evenings. Ormtjernhytta extends its hours to include Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. These cabins offer access to marked hiking trails and cross-country ski routes, with Ormtjernhytta specifically featuring a troll-themed path for children and a designated ice skating area, weather permitting.
Beyond the sport cabins, Halden Ishall and the Busterudparken offer ice skating opportunities. Skates are available for free loan at Skattekammeret. For skiing enthusiasts, Tistedalen skianlegg provides slopes, and a free ski bus will operate on Saturday during the winter break, offering free ski equipment rental and instruction.
The Halden municipality is also providing free access to the Remmen swimming facilities on Thursday between 12:00 and 18:00, a collaboration between Sparebank1 stiftelsen and the local government.
Cultural events are also planned. Verdensbro is hosting “Viva Carnaval,” a free carnival celebration for children and young people, featuring mask-making workshops, a magic show by Spar S, games, face painting, and henna art. The event is divided into two sessions and requires registration. Verdensbro will also screen the film “Trolls” for free on Wednesday at the Aladdin scene.
For those seeking evening entertainment, concerts are scheduled at Kulturhuset, featuring Ary Morais & Band on Friday and Kaktusfrø: Trine Harbak, followed by Neverleavers, on Saturday.
Sports fans can attend an elite men’s handball match between Halden Topphåndall and Runar on Wednesday at Halden arena, and a 2nd division women’s handball game between Halden Håndball and Glassverket 2 on Saturday at Hjortsberghallen.
Halden Library is hosting daily activities for children throughout the winter break, including bracelet making, film screenings of “Dyrene i Hakkebakkeskogen” and “Alberg Åberg,” snowflake cutting, bookmaking workshops, and a reading session featuring “Pelle Propell.” Additional library programs include events for modern parents, makerspace sessions, sensory experiences for young children, and computer courses.
For young people, “Søndagspuls” offers a cafe with discounted prices and low-threshold activities at Kulturhuset on Sundays. Tickets for a performance of “Karius and Baktus” at Black Box are also available on Sunday.