Easter in Iceland is a wonderful blend of tradition, history, fun surprises – and yes, Icelandic Easter eggs!
When most people think of Easter, they imagine springtime blooms and religious observances.
But in Iceland, the holiday also weaves in unique touches inspired by Viking heritage.
I’ve always found it fascinating how different cultures celebrate major holidays like Easter. From food and traditions to fun events that make them special.
And those Icelandic Easter eggs? They’re not just your usual chocolate treats – they come packed with hidden surprises and goodies.
Curious about how Icelanders celebrate Easter?
Let’s get into it!
Table of Contents:
- Easter in Iceland
- Iceland Easter Holidays (Páskarfri)
- Icelandic Easter Traditions
- Festivals + Events
- All Things Iceland
Easter in Iceland
First off, the Icelandic word for Easter is Páskar.
And if you want to wish someone a Happy Easter in Icelandic, you’d say Gleðilega Páska!
What’s interesting is that even though about 70% of Icelanders belong to the Lutheran Church, only about 45% claim to be religious.
In my experience, I wouldn’t say that Iceland feels very religious. But despite this, it is still a huge holiday here.
Easter is usually celebrated in April, but it will happen anytime between the 22nd March and 25th of April.
For visitors, it’s important to note that many areas will close over Easter.
If you’re traveling around this time, be aware that a lot of places like stores, restaurants and attractions will be closed for the holiday. So make sure you plan for this!
Traveling to Iceland in April? Here’s everything you need to know.👇
➡️ READ: April in Iceland: Your Expert Guide to Weather, Daylight, Events + Natural Wonders
Iceland Easter Holidays (Páskarfri)
As I mentioned before, Easter is a big deal in Iceland.
There’s a special holiday called Páskarfri or Easter break. It’s five days long and usually kicks off on Wednesday afternoon when most people wrap up work, followed by days off from Thursday through Monday.
If you’re planning a trip to Iceland around Easter, keep in mind that Good Friday and Easter Sunday are considered sacred days.
Pro tip: Most businesses, including grocery stores, restaurants, and tours will be closed. So, if you need to stock up on supplies, you’ll want to plan around that. And if you can, avoid arriving on Good Friday or Easter Sunday when planning your Iceland itinerary.
It’s super common for Icelanders to travel during this break.
Some head abroad, often to warmer places like Spain for a bit of sunshine and a break from the cold weather.
But for those staying in Iceland, a popular option is to travel to Akureyri in the North of Iceland during the Iceland Easter break.
It’s a favorite spot, with lots of summer houses and even a big ski hill. It’s the perfect destination for a cozy getaway or some late-season skiing.
April in Iceland is technically considered spring, but you can still expect all kinds of weather.
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Icelandic Easter Traditions
You’d be surprised by how much Iceland’s Viking heritage influences their Easter traditions! Take a look at a few other traditions you can expect if you visit Iceland at Easter.👇
Viking Easter Traditions
Viking traditions have shaped modern Icelandic Easter celebrations in fascinating ways.
They celebrated spring with bonfires, egg decorating, and feasting, symbols of new life and the returning sun.
Today, Icelanders keep some of these customs alive with beautifully decorated eggs, and family feasts.
Even with the introduction of Christianity, the Viking’s strong regard for nature and the changing seasons still shines through in these celebrations.
Decorations
Yellow and green are the colors of the season!
Easter decorations may not be as grand as the ones for Christmas, but you’ll find people decorating their homes with flowers and branches.
Families and children often make handmade chicks and bunnies and decorate empty egg shells to make colorful Icelandic Easter eggs as a tradition.
Religious Services
It is a religious holiday after all, and many of the Icelanders who observe Easter will attend a church service.
Good Friday and Easter Sunday services will take place across Iceland.
Icelandic Easter Foods
In terms of family traditions, families will gather for a big feast on Easter Sunday.
It’s common to have dinner together with a lot of your extended family too.
Traditional foods on this day will include leg of lamb, usually served with veggies like potatoes, green beans, and gravy.
For dessert, Skyr cake is a popular one to try and it’s made from traditional Skyr yogurt.
Try the Icelandic Easter Beer
Now here’s something I found very interesting!
Every year, Icelandic breweries launch a special beer specifically for this season.
Just ask for Viking Paskabjór, it’s the most popular beer for the season.
If you’re interested in sampling more local brews, why not take a beer tour?
You’ll get to try nine different Icelandic beers and learn a bit of history along the way.👇
➡️ TAKE A TOUR: Reykjavík Beer & Booze Tour
Icelandic Easter Eggs
My favorite tradition has to be the Easter eggs in Iceland.
If you’re American, think of them as similar to the Easter basket, but instead of a basket, it’s all about the egg, and it’s filled with candy!
These eggs are hidden around the house, and on Easter Sunday morning, kids wake up and go on a fun hunt to find theirs.
You can just head on over to the grocery store and buy one there.
Yes, they can be a bit pricey, but trust me, they’re packed with delicious goodies and totally worth it.
You’ll find Icelandic Easter eggs in all sizes and some are even as big as your head!
There are plenty of options in milk, dark, or white chocolate.
Different candy companies make these eggs, so it depends on your personal taste.
One popular brand is Freyja, but honestly, you can’t go wrong with any of them.
Each egg comes with a little decoration on top (usually something random like Garfield in a baseball hat, or just a simple chick).
The outer shell is made of hard chocolate, but the real magic is inside, where you’ll find a variety of treats. The bigger the egg, the more candy you get!
Once you crack it open, you might find jellybeans, hard candies, chocolate-covered almonds, and other sweets.
There’s also a fun little bonus: a tiny scroll inside each egg with an Icelandic proverb – kind of like something you would find in a fortune cookie.
So, if you’re in Iceland, don’t miss the chance to indulge in this delightful Icelandic Easter egg tradition!
Local sweet treats always make amazing souvenirs. Wondering what to take home for friends or a keepsake from your trip to Iceland. Check out this post.👇
➡️ READ: Iceland Souvenirs: The 8 Best Gifts To Remind You Of Your Amazing Trip
Festivals + Events
Whether it’s music festivals or hunting for hidden treasures, there’s something for everyone. Here are some of the best Easter festivities you won’t want to miss:
Bingo
Even though this is a big holiday in Iceland, not everyone embraces the spirit of Easter.
With many places, including bars, shutting down for the holiday, a group of atheists in downtown Reykjavík hosts a Bingo event on Good Friday in protest.
Whether you agree with it or not, it definitely keeps things interesting! 😅
Aldrei Fór Ég Suður
Another fun thing that happens every year around Easter in Iceland is a music festival called Aldrei fór ég suður.
This happens in Ísafjörður in the Westfjords and you’ll find a lot of local musicians and rock bands performing.
You can expect singing, dancing and a whole lot of fun in one of the most beautiful places in the country!
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Easter Egg Hunt
If you plan on spending Easter in Reykjavík, especially with kids, don’t miss the Easter egg hunt on Viðey Island in Kollafjörður Bay.
It’s just a short ferry ride from the city.
Organized by the Reykjavík City Museum, this event is all about finding as many Icelandic Easter eggs as possible.
The beautiful setting and fun atmosphere make it perfect for the whole family.
Looking for more kid-friendly activities in Iceland? Check out this blog post!👇
➡️ READ: Iceland with Kids: 6 Things to Do with Your Kids for the Best Family Trip!
Take A Tour
Iceland is all about indulging in sweet treats over Easter.
Why not take a tour of the chocolate factories where Icelandic Easter eggs are made? How cool would it be to get a behind-the-scenes look?
Or, savor our local flavors with pastries, chocolate, famous skyr, ice cream, and more on this tour.👇
➡️ TAKE A TOUR: The Icelandic Sweet Tooth Tour
All Things Iceland
Iceland is bursting with unique traditions and exciting cultural events, and I don’t want you to miss a thing!
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