(H)Christmas party 2025
The weekend is filled with exciting experiences, from gala dinners with live music and the opportunity for aquavit tasting and a nostalgic excursion to the Ziener Museum, where vintage cars and motorcycle classics are on display. Inspiring lectures by well-known profiles such as Ketil Solvik-Olsen, Kyrre Hagen, John Lien, Ivar Åsland and Monica Thorden Haug provide insight into the world of cars and motorcycles, while exhibitions and stands showcase various vehicles. With good food, pleasant togetherness and a shared passion for motor life, this will be a weekend full of memories!
If you want to leave the car at home this weekend, you can just contact our partner Risdal Touring , which has bus transport from several cities and opportunities for boarding along the way, it has never been easier to participate! Here you are well received by like-minded people.
Friday 14. November
During the afternoon, cars and buses roll into Vrådal, where we at Straand Hotel welcome with open arms.
Aquavit tasting with Gjøran Thomassen from Hunsfos Brewery & Distillery – Tasting of Straand's own HubRiding Afterdrive aquavit
Join us for an atmospheric and tasteful experience when Gjøran Thomassen from the award-winning Hunsfos Brewery & Distillery in Vennesla invites you to an aquavit tasting. You will get to taste hand-picked aquavits and hear good stories about tradition, craftsmanship and flavor profile from straight from the distillery master’s. The highlight will be an exclusive tasting of Straand’s in-house developed HubRiding Afterdrive aquavit – created in collaboration with Hunsfos Brewery & Distillery and Norsk Sportsvogn Klubb to give you a taste of mountains, speed and community. Ulf and Stig from the sports car club will share the story behind the aquavit and how it has been transported up and down Kviteseidkleivene in a sports car. Age limit 20 years.
Must be booked in advance at the reception and costs NOK 295 per person.
Dinner and dancing with No Problem
In the evening, we gather for the first dinner of the weekend in the hotel’s restaurant. Here, tasty dishes are served based on local ingredients and good homemade mar, and the conversation goes easily around the tables – maybe you meet some old acquaintances, or get to know new motor-interested friends?
After dinner, the evening starts in earnest with the band No Problem playing up to dance – and they know how to create an atmosphere on the dance floor!
Saturday 15 November
Ketil Solvik Olsen - "Car hobby builds society - my car interest in play and seriousness"
The former Minister of Transport is above average interested in cars, largely thanks to growing up at a gas station. He shares his thoughts on how the car hobby affects society – and gives us insight into his own passion for all things motor.
Kyrre Hagen and Ole Andreas Isdahl - "Motorcycle adventure - from plan to reality"
Kyrre gives us valuable tips on how to plan a successful motorcycle adventure. On the team he has Ole Andreas, who has been on several of Kyrre’s trips – and has experienced that not everything always goes according to plan! With a good dose of humor and experiences from the road, this will be a lecture you do not want to miss.
John Lien, Ivar Åsland and Monica Thorden Haug - "Car projects out of the ordinary - Decorative painting and car hobby with a deeper meaning"
Decorative refinishers Monica Thordén Haug and Ivar Åsland run the paint studio 2Design in Tinn in Austbygd in Telemark. The TV series “Rådebank” has given professional refinishers more attention and hear them talk about their work and how they work together with enthusiasts such as John Lien. All three are passionate about recruitment and youth work, which they also want to talk about.
In addition to the lectures, there will be several stands and exhibitions this Saturday, where you can see a number of exciting cars, motorcycles and trucks.
When the evening comes, it's ready for Straand's big Christmas party!
We gather for a good dinner, enjoy ourselves in good company, and as soon as the plates are cleared away, No Problem plays up to dancing again. The atmosphere is great, and we celebrate our shared passion for vehicles and motoring!
Sunday 16. November
Sunday morning we wake up to a quiet and good breakfast at the hotel. After a memorable weekend with inspiring lectures, great excursions and many pleasant conversations, it is time to pack your bags and start the journey home in the morning. On the way back, it’s time to digest all the impressions – and maybe already start dreaming about next year’s trip?
Prices and booking
-
Accommodation with participation in the entire program from NOK 3975,-
Price per person in a single room with accommodation Friday to Sunday with dinner and breakfast as well as participation in lectures and exhibitions. Single room from NOK 5365,-
-
Aquavit tasting with Gjøran Thomassen from Hunsfos Brewery & Distillery NOK 295,-
Price per person
Enjoy a mulled wine in the Storehouse!
Enjoy a mulled wine by the fire pit!
We light a fire in the fire pan under the roof on the terrace every Saturday during the Christmas party season from 4 pm to 6 pm.
Enjoy homemade mulled wine and a good atmosphere!
Christmas party prices:
• NOK 650 per person. Christmas table only
• NOK 1595 per person.
Double room Sat.–Sun. w/ Christmas party and lunch
Swimming pool
Heated indoor pool with 27.5 degrees and sauna
Free WI-FI
Free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel
Playroom
We have a playroom, Nintendo Wii and loan of toy boxes and board games.