Every December, a towering Norwegian spruce takes pride of place in London's Trafalgar Square, its vertical strings of lights a beacon of festive cheer. This year's lighting ceremony on Thursday, 4 December 2025, continues a cherished British tradition with profoundly deep roots in Norwegian soil and wartime history.
A Living Symbol of Wartime Alliance
The story of this annual gift is one of gratitude and friendship forged during the darkest days of the Second World War. When Nazi Germany invaded Norway in 1940, King Haakon VII and his government were forced to flee, establishing a government-in-exile in London. From the British capital, vital resistance work was coordinated, and the BBC, alongside Norway's NRK, broadcast news in Norwegian back to the occupied homeland.
These broadcasts were a crucial lifeline for Norwegians, who risked severe punishment to listen in secret due to a Nazi ban on radio sets. In thanks for this sanctuary and support, the City of Oslo initiated the Christmas tree gift in 1947, two years after the war ended. The tree stands as a permanent reminder of the alliance between the two nations.
From Oslo Forest to London's Heart
The selection process for the honour is meticulous. The tree is always a Norwegian spruce (Picea abies), grown naturally in the forests around Oslo. Potential candidates are identified five to ten years in advance and given special care. This year's winner, nicknamed "Ever Oslo," is a 60-year-old, 20-metre (22-yard) specimen that beat rivals "Nordic Star" and "Fjord Fir."
Its journey to London is an epic in itself. After a ceremonial felling on 21 November, the tree was transported 180 kilometres (112 miles) to a port, rinsed of road salt, and then shipped for roughly 26 hours to Immingham. Kept below deck to protect it from seawater, it completed its trip by lorry to Trafalgar Square. In a sustainable touch, a replacement tree will be planted in the Oslo forest.
Lighting Up London's Christmas
Billed on social media as "Britain's national tree-sure," the lighting ceremony on the first Thursday of December officially kicks off London's Christmas countdown. The distinctive vertical lighting scheme is a deliberate nod to Norwegian tradition. The tree will remain as a festive centrepiece until 5 January (Twelfth Night), after which it will be recycled into mulch.
This enduring ritual, born from wartime solidarity, continues to light up the heart of London each winter, symbolising a friendship that has flourished for over seven decades.
