Christmas in Reykjavík is a big deal!
Spirits are high, the twinkling lights are out and holiday music is playing on repeat. Oh, and Iceland is covered in snow which makes it all the more festive and magical.
I absolutely LOVE this time of year!
If you’re planning a trip here at this time, then you’re in for a treat.
Pack your coziest sweater and Viking spirit. I’m taking you with me for an in-depth look at Christmas in Reykjavík from beloved traditions, markets, food, to the best things to do in the capital during the festive season.
Let’s get into it!
Christmas in Reykjavík: Things to Do
Christmas is the biggest holiday of the year in Iceland. Everyone gets a shiny new outfit and there are decorations inside and out. If you’re spending Christmas in Reykjavík, there are a lot of fun things to experience around the capital for the whole family.
Ice Skating and Christmas Markets
Every year, Ingólfstorg Square in Reykjavík is transformed into a spectacular Christmas village with an ice skating rink.
I love that they have plastic seals for children who are learning to skate. The atmosphere is so much fun and it’s beautifully decorated with lights everywhere. What’s great is that there’s a Christmas market right next door!
Skip to my favorite Christmas markets 👉
Pro Tip: For 1,690 kr ($14 USD), you get skating plus helmet and skate rental included.
Laugardalur and Botanic Garden
Laugardalur has a zoo, Christmas lights, and a merry-go-round. All the trimmings to keep my kids very happy.
Plus, the Botanic Garden is next to it. The garden is a beautiful outdoor space with lots of trees decorated with lights.
And when everyone’s worn out, treat yourself to a dip in the Laugardalslaug geothermal pool!
If you’re looking for more pools in Reykjavík, check this out. 👇
➡️ READ: Top 12 Pools in Reykjavík You Need to Visit
Harpa Concert Hall
This should be on your to-do list any time of year but it’s extra special during Christmas. They deck out the glass building with decorations, lights, and trees, making it even cozier.
There are concerts every Saturday leading up to Christmas, and it’s something I try to catch whenever I can. All the events are FREE. Perfect if you’re traveling to Iceland on a budget!
Walk Around Reykjavík
If you’re spending Christmas in Reykjavík, it’s difficult not to immerse yourself in the festive spirit that fills the streets.
The Oslo Christmas tree : Christmas in Reykjavík doesn’t officially start until the Christmas tree has been lit in Austurvöllur Square. The Oslo Christmas tree is a tradition that started in 1951 when the city of Oslo in Norway sent Reykjavík a Christmas tree to signify strong relations between the two countries.
Laugavegur, the main downtown street, has lights strung around every tree, building, and light post. Icelandic Christmas decorations are everywhere. While we’re there the kids and I are always on the lookout for the Yule Lads – they will be projected on all the buildings!
Exploring the Christmas shops in Reykjavík is another way to get into the festive spirit.
The shops along this street range from gift shops to Icelandic design stores, thrift shops, and art galleries, so you can be sure to find the perfect souvenir for whoever you are shopping for.
Skólavörðustígur: During the festive season, this famous rainbow street looks extra festive, with large Christmas bells hanging across the street. You can buy unique handcrafted gifts along the way, but don’t forget to check out Hallgrímskirkja church at the top of the street!
Send a Letter to Santa
The Little Christmas Shop (Litla Jólabúðin) is an adorable place to go for any Christmas decor. Right outside their shop is a big red mailbox. Here you can send a letter to the Icelandic Santa Claus – my kids love this!
Árbær Open Air Museum
Árbær is a museum with old-time Icelandic homes, including turf houses! Here you will find a Christmas program with songs, dancing, traditional foods, and the Yule Lads out and about.
One time I went there with some friends and made traditional crafts, it was so much fun!
It’s only 10 minutes outside of Reykjavík and a great way to experience local culture and heritage. I suggest spending at least one to two hours there.
Opening hours: September-May 13:00-17:00
June-August 10:00-17:00
Guided tours daily at 13:00
Reykjavík Christmas Buffets
If the word buffet gives you horrible flashbacks of endless lines of soggy food that all looks a little grey, then I’m happy to announce that in Iceland, everything is made with quality ingredients.
This is a holiday tradition that kicks off around mid-November because, strangely, you can’t really find buffets in Iceland for the rest of the year.
We really look forward to it, and it’s yet another excuse to connect with family, friends, and co-workers over a delicious meal.
I can safely say that most Icelanders will attend at least one buffet during the season.
I have sampled a lot of Christmas buffets over the years, but one of my favorites is Fjörukráin Viking Village.
From the moment we stepped through the doors, the vibe was festive and cozy. They even had live traditional music playing in the background. It’s always so satisfying when that kind of atmosphere is coupled with incredible food!
Fjörukráin really focuses on preparing high quality, traditional Icelandic meals. It’s a great opportunity to sample some dishes you might not have back home like Reindeer pâté or Hangikjöt (a smoked meat, usually lamb).
I must say, my favorite was the pork and lamb, but everything I tasted was good and their desserts did not disappoint either.
Pro tip: If you plan on attending an Icelandic Christmas buffet, you’ll have to make reservations well in advance!
Let’s pack on those festive season pounds! Who’s with me? 😂
Grab a Coffee
Need warming up? Then head inside one of the many adorable coffee shops in Reykjavík downtown. Teas, coffees, and treats to warm your body and your soul!
There’s nothing quite like sitting in a cute café, with the smell of fresh pastries and brewed coffee, while the snow falls outside!
Brauð & Co. is one of my go-to places for delicious sourdough breads and delicious baked goods. I cannot tell you the things I would do for one of their warm cinnamon rolls! 😂
Christmas Markets in Reykjavík
The Reykjavík Christmas markets and the neighboring villages are absolutely worth checking out if you’re in the area.
Christmas Market in Hafnarfjörður: Jólaþorpið (Christmas village) in Hafnarfjörður is the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit. It’s a short drive from the capital and you can shop Icelandic designs, enjoy coffee and cocoa and visit Santa and his Elves.
Opening hours: Open from mid-November every year. Open Fridays from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. and Saturdays and Sundays from 13:00 to 18:00.
Distance from downtown: It’s a 15-minute drive.
Heiðmörk Christmas Village & Christmas trees in Iceland: There’s an outdoor market and we always pick up our tree here. Then we stay and enjoy the live music and of course coffee or cocoa.
Opening hours: Open weekends from 12 P.M. to 5:00 P.M.
Distance from downtown: It’s a 20-minute drive.
Hjartatorgi: You can find this market in the heart of Reykjavík, between Klapparstigur and Smiðjustígur streets. It’s extra Christmassy, with twinkling lights and stalls set up with a selection of goods for sale. Plus, there’s entertainment and festive music playing. Christmas markets in Iceland are so much fun!
Opening hours: 1:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. with extended hours from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. on the 21st-23rd December.
How Do Icelanders Prepare for Christmas?
Here are a few ways that the locals gear up for the main event of the season:
Lights & Christmas decorations in Iceland: The darkness in December is broken up by the gorgeous Christmas lights brightening up the streets. Neighborhoods even coordinate themes for their displays!
Baking cookies: It’s not the holidays without cookies, smákökur, to be exact. Families also get together to make Laufabrauð, a traditional flatbread.
Jólabókafloð (The Christmas Book Flood): In the lead-up to Christmas, newly published books are released to the public. In this Icelandic book tradition, locals get really excited for new books to hit the shelves and swap them as gifts.
Yule lads: Why settle for 1 Santa Claus when you can have 13? Intrigued? Stick around, I go a little more into this Icelandic Christmas tradition below.
Christmas outfit: If you prefer the traditional Christmas sweater, but haven’t bought one yet, this is the perfect excuse. You may have seen a lopapeysa, it’s a traditional Icelandic wool sweater with beautiful designs. It’s the best sweater I own, plus, looks festive and is super warm for the icy December weather – score!
Christmas Eve In Iceland
For Icelanders, Christmas officially starts on Christmas Eve on the 24th. Most families kick off their Christmas celebrations at 6 o’clock!
After a delicious dinner with family, it’s time for presents, and – spoiler alert – you’re probably getting a book. 😉
The evening will be spent reading together and the social part of it is called Jólabókaflóð. This is one Icelandic Christmas Eve tradition I wish would catch on everywhere!
Families also attend a church service by candlelight to celebrate Jesus’ birth.
Christmas Day in Reykjavík
While there might have been a lot of hustle and bustle leading up to Christmas, the actual day is fairly chill. (No pun intended!)
Christmas Dinner in Iceland
Christmas dinner in Iceland is a family affair and features some of the traditional Icelandic dishes you’d expect like Lamb, ham, and ptarmigan (a local bird).
Laufabrauð, the traditional flatbread, is also served with smoked lamb on Christmas night.
Fun fact: The reason why the bread is flat is that they were trying to make it feed as many people as possible.
For it to look nicer, they started carving pretty patterns into the bread.
The tools used to carve the patterns are specially made in North Iceland, and there are only a few people who know this craft, pretty cool!
Do Restaurants in Reykjavík Open on Christmas Day?
In general, not really. It’s a family day, and many shops and restaurants tend to close early around the 24th and typically stay closed until the 26th.
There are some restaurants that stay open, but you’ll need to reserve your spot well in advance.
Some hotels also arrange Christmas buffets but again, I’d check with them in advance and see that they can accommodate your group.
Grocery stores also tend to close, so if you’re not choosing the restaurant or hotel option, I’d stock up on food before Christmas and really plan it well.
Another idea is to take a food tour where you can sample local delicacies like smoked lamb, crispy patterned laufabrauð, and glazed hamborgarhryggur, among other things. The local guide will tell you interesting stories behind the food and drinks.
Check it out here. 👇
➡️ TAKE A TOUR: The Reykjavík Christmas Food Tour
More Christmas Traditions in Iceland
From 13 mischievous Yule lads to fermented fish, Iceland’s Christmas traditions are oftentimes quirky and as unique as the Northern Lights!
Yule Cat / Icelandic Christmas Cat
This tradition takes the lump of coal to a whole new level!
In the U.S., naughty children have to face not receiving gifts. But we’re in Viking country, and here, the traditions are as extreme as the weather!
Iceland’s Yule Cat is the stuff of nightmares!
Legend has it that a massive black cat emerges from his lair in the mountains on Christmas Eve, ready to feast on little children who don’t have new clothes among their gifts under the tree.
If Iceland’s Christmas Cat comes a-lurking, mom and dad, that’s on you!
Icelandic Book Flood (Icelandic Book Tradition)
Iceland has a very strong reading culture. In WWll, paper wasn’t rationed, and it became popular to print and give books as gifts.
Bookstores, department stores, and even grocery stores will line up stacks of new books everywhere!
This practice is known as Jólabókafloð (The Icelandic Christmas Book Flood). So, if you’re looking for a classic Icelandic Christmas gift for someone, buy them a book!
13 Yule Lads of Christmas (Iceland’s Christmas Trolls)
The Yule Lads of Iceland are 13 troll brothers who live in the highlands and take turns visiting children the 13 days leading up to Christmas.
Each of them has a unique personality, quirks, and snacks they like.
Children will put a shoe out to receive a gift and if they’ve been bad, they’ll get a potato – random, I know! 🙂
Parents, you’ll need to think ahead to prep the gifts for this one.
Fermented Skate
Another Christmas tradition in Iceland is a family dinner showcasing fermented skate. I’m not gonna lie, it’s pungent but the locals love it! This tradition takes place on the 23rd.
Traditional Christmas Food in Iceland
Traditional foods are usually highlighted during the festive season and in Iceland, it’s no different.
Hangikjöt + Laufabrauð: This is a traditional food of smoked lamb (hangikjöt) and a thin crisp bread (laufabrauð) that is eaten during Christmas. This is so delicious, you have to try it! You can find them at grocery stores or at Christmas buffets.
Apples & clementines: Since fruit couldn’t be grown in Iceland (the weather refused to play nice!) it used to be shipped in only for Christmas. While we can now get fruit year-round, clementines and apples are still very popular during Christmas. I don’t particularly like it, but it’s all the rage during the holidays, so you might as well try it.
Malt & Appelsín: These are malted orange-flavored drinks that you can find in the grocery store. It’s one of those holiday staples that you need to try!
Christmas beers: ‘tis the season, and what better way to get into the merry spirit of Christmas in Reykjavík than by sampling their local beers? The most popular brands are Tuborg, Víking, Jólagull.
Come shop with me for Christmas food. 👇
Icelandic Christmas Cake
The dessert usually served during the holiday season is Jólakaka, or traditional Icelandic Christmas cake.
It’s everything you’d expect to find in a cake: buttery, sweet and packed with flavor.
The recipe is pretty standard and spiced with cardamom, cinnamon and raisins. However, you’ll come across regional variations, with some including layers of custard or jam, these are my favorite – seriously yummy!
Locals typically serve it on Christmas Eve with coffee or cocoa.
Icelandic Christmas Gifts
I’ve already mentioned the book flood and how popular it is to give books as gifts, but another great gift is Icelandic chocolate.
Now, I like to go to a grocery store like Bónus, and pick up these boxes of chocolate with gorgeous Icelandic landscapes on them. Love giving these as gifts!
New Year’s Eve in Reykjavík
If you’re in Iceland between Christmas and New Year’s (highly recommended, btw!), there’s a lot to look forward to..
Reykjavík is often ranked as one of the best places in the world to watch the New Year’s fireworks.
One thing that makes it so cool are just HOW many fireworks go off! On top of the official display, locals enjoy setting off different kinds of mini fireworks all across the city in celebration.
And then you’ve got the New Year’s Eve bonfires, lit at specific spots around the city. The locals gather around them, and everyone’s super welcoming and friendly. You can just grab a spot by the fire and warm up.
I love the sense of community, and it’s definitely one of the highlights of New Year’s Eve in Iceland.
Can You See the Northern Lights in Iceland in December?
Yes, the Aurora season is from late August until mid-April. So technically, you’ll be able to see them in December. I must be honest though, I’ve found that December isn’t the easiest month to catch sight of them.
While you have very short days, the weather tends to be cloudy and stormy, so conditions aren’t always ideal.
But never say never! If the conditions are right, December in Iceland has plenty of darkness for the northern lights to come out. If the weather is on your side, you’ll be able to see them.
Make sure you’re checking weather apps like Veður alongside aurora apps such as Hello Aurora.
Hmmm… Iceland. Northern Lights. Christmas…
Now that’s a match made in heaven!
Can You See the Northern Lights in Reykjavík?
Yes, if the conditions are good and you’re away from the bright city lights, you’ll be able to see the Northern Lights from Reykjavík.
A couple of my favorite viewing spots outside the city center include Elliðarárdalur and Grótta Lighthouse.
You really don’t have to take a tour to see them, but if you’re not sure where to look, and want to better your chances, you can let someone else take care of all the preparations for you with an organised tour 👉 Northern Lights Bus Tour From Reykjavík.
Just make sure you’re dressed really warmly!
Knowing what to pack for a winter trip to Iceland can be tricky when you don’t know what to expect.
Oh, why does winter gear have to take up so much luggage space?!
Make sure you bring everything you need and don’t leave any essentials behind by downloading my Ultimate Iceland Packing Guide.
It comes with packing check lists, a layering cheat sheet, insider packing tips and seasonal shopping lists with products I personally recommend,
Get your FREE Iceland Packing Guide below. 👇
Important Christmas Season Dates
Christmas in Reykjavík is busy, so here are a few important dates to mark on your calendar.
December 12th: The arrival of the first Yule Lad! There will be 12 more in the lead-up to Christmas.
December 21: This day marks the Winter Solstice. It’s the darkest day of the year with some places only getting 2 hours of light. Reykjavík will get about 4 hours of daylight here.
December 23: You may not need to diarize this one, because you’ll be reminded by it from the pungent aroma in the air! On this day, known as Þorláksmessa (Þórláks feast), fermented skate is eaten. Not gonna lie, I think it tastes really gross, but it is part of the cultural experience. This is also THE shopping day of the year – so stores will be busy.
That evening around 6 pm the Peace walk takes place on Laugavegur – a time for friends and family to come together and stroll down the main street, saying hello to everyone they know. So adorable, right?!
December 24: While the 24th of December is Christmas Eve for Americans, for Icelanders, it is Christmas Day. Their celebrations usually start at 6 p.m. It’s marked by family big dinners, gift exchanges, church, and festivities.
December 25: Christmas Day is very much a family day, so it’s important to note that most places will be closed on this day.
December 24-27: A lot of places will be closed or have limited hours. Be sure to plan ahead and stock up on any supplies you may need.
➡️ READ: Iceland in December: A Step-by-Step Guide to Iceland’s Most Beautiful Winter Wonders
FAQs
Still have questions about spending Christmas in Reykjavík? Check this out. 👇
How Do They Say Merry Christmas in Iceland?
Merry Christmas in Icelandic is Gleðileg Jól.
When Does Christmas Officially Begin in Iceland?
It’s officially Christmas in Iceland on December 24th at 6:00 P.M.
Does Iceland Have Christmas Markets?
Yes. There are a lot of Christmas markets especially in and around Reykjavík. The most popular ones being the Christmas Village in Hafnarfjörður, Austurvöllur Christmas Market, Ingólfstorg Square Christmas Village and Hólmsheiði Forest.
Is Reykjavík A Good Place to Visit At Christmas Time?
Yes. Christmas is an excellent time to visit Iceland. The atmosphere is magical, with all the Christmans events, markets and preparations.
You get an incredible feel for the local culture and traditions, not to mention everything looks spectacular covered in snow!
The drawbacks are that you have less daylight hours to explore and accessibility to areas like the Highlands are closed off. Things like flights and accommodation can also be more expensive over the Christmas period.
Plan the Perfect Christmas in Reykjavík
Christmas in Reykjavík is the most magical place to experience the festive season (in my unbiased opinion, of course!) And if you want the best guide to help you make the most of your December trip, then you need to check out my 👉 Iceland Travel Map & Guide.
Discover insider tips on all the practical stuff no one tells you about, like where the grocery stores are or which hidden gems to explore.
The digital map has over 1,500 pinned locations; and plenty of pins around Reykjavík like the best coffee shops, museums and more, it’s a must have for your trip!
Come and experience an Icelandic Christmas for yourself, I know you’ll have a wonderful time.
Oh, and if you meet an Icelander while you’re out enjoying the festivities, flash them your best smile and say Gleðileg Jól (Merry Christmas).
Happy Planning!
Jeannie is the founder of Iceland with a View, an Iceland trip planning resource she launched in 2015 after moving to Iceland. Having lived in Iceland for nearly 11 years, she shares firsthand travel advice through in-depth articles, guidebooks, maps, itineraries, and a YouTube channel with over 110,000 subscribers. Her mission is to help travelers confidently plan unforgettable Iceland trips with practical, experience-based guidance.
