December is the darkest month of the year in Reykjavík, but the city is lit up with Christmas lights at least until 6 January (the last day of Christmas in Iceland). Some people even keep up the Christmas lights until the end of February or even later, until they start to feel that the days are getting brighter and that spring is slowly approaching.
- See also: Christmas in Iceland
The city is full of Christmas lights and decorations in December, as well as events like concerts and exhibitions. One of the familiar faces leading up to Christmas is the Christmas cat on Lækjartorg square. A big Christmas tree, referred to as the Oslo tree (an annual gift from the City of Oslo) illuminates Austurvöllur square and is an essential part of the Christmas city.
The Christmas Village in Hafnarfjörður
The Christmas Village in Hafnarfjörður opened on 15 November this year and will be open on Fridays and Weekends until Christmas. The Christmas Village is full of life before Christmas with beautifully decorated houses on Thorsplan square, offering gift items, snacks and treats, handicrafts and design. Look for a special Christmas gift while enjoying refreshments to warm you on the inside.
The Christmas Village is just one of several Christmas markets in the capital area, the other ones are downtown Reykjavík and in Heiðmörk forest. There are also other Christmas related initiatives, e.g. at Árbær Open Air Museum.
- See more: Reykjavík Christmas Markets
Ice Skating Rink at Ingólfstorg Square
The ice skating rink at Ingólfstorg square is open from 24 November until the end of December on most days from 12 to 22. Exceptions are 24 and 25 December (closed), on the 26th it is open from 12 to 20 and on New Year’s Day from 12 to 16.
Light refreshments and drinks can be found at the ice skating rink to keep you warm between skating trips and get you in the Christmas mood!
You can book a slot here.
The Christmas Creatures Downtown Reykjavík
14 Christmas Creatures can be found around downtown Reykjavík in the weeks before Christmas. A treasure hunt game is associated with the creatures, where people locate four creatures and answer questions by using QR codes on the special Christmas Creature signage next to them. Three participants with the right answers win great prizes. Can you find Grýla (the Yule Lads’ mother), The Yule Cat and Skyr Gobbler?
In 2010, the City of Reykjavík decided to honour Iceland’s storytelling tradition by using Christmas Creatures in its Christmas decorations. This was done to encourage people to tell stories about those funny creatures from our past. Among those creatures are the thirteen Icelandic Yule Lads, who are entertaining troublemakers, their parents, Grýla and Leppalúði, who are bad tempered mountain trolls, and the frightening Yule Cats, known to eat children who don’t get new clothes for Christmas. The idea behind the Christmas Creatures project is to promote Icelandic folklore and connect locals and visitors in Reykjavík through stories and conversations. The main goal of the project is to create an inspiring Christmas experience in the city, for travellers as well as locals.
The Oslo Tree on Austurvöllur
The Christmas tree on Austurvöllur is lit up on the first Sunday of advent, 1 December this year, and marks the beginning of the Christmas city of Reykjavík. The tree was picked up last weekend in the Norwegian grove in Heiðmörk, cut down by the Mayor of Reykjavík. The Oslo tree was lit up for the first time over a half a century ago, and is symbolic of the friendship between Reykjavík and the city of Oslo.
The Christmas Cat at Lækjartorg
The Christmas Cat at Lækjartorg has become a staple of Christmas preparations for the City of Reykjavík and heralds the beginning of the Christmas atmosphere downtown Reykjavík. This infamous cat is among the best-known Icelandic Christmas creatures. It is a giant animal, well known to the people of Iceland. Legend has it that the cat eats those who don’t get new clothes for Christmas. To avoid this fate, you need to do your chores to at least receive new socks or other simple garments. Nowadays, the cat is often said to be Grýla’s pet, which would make sense, as she is an ill-tempered old troll lady.
The Christmas Book Flood
The Christmas Book Flood takes place every year in Iceland before Christmas, which is the time when most books are published locally. This phenomenon is referred to as Jólabókaflóðið or in English, The Christmas Book Flood. It traces its roots to Iceland’s centuries-long literary tradition and strict currency restrictions during World War II.
- See more: The Christmas Book Flood
The Yule Lads
The Icelandic Yule Lads are a group of 13 mischievous trolls who arrive one by one down from the mountains from 12 December until Christmas. They steal food, sheep and candles and one of them slams doors in the middle of the night, but they also show their softer side by bringing small gifts for children.
- Learn more: The Icelandic Yule Lads
Þorláksmessa (23 December)
December 23 is the day before Christmas in Iceland and the stress is beginning to get to some people. Time is running out to get everything in place, the presents, the food and the decorations. But there is also a sense of joy associated with Þorláksmessa, the Mass of St. Thorlac, which has a tradition of marching down Laugavegur downtown with a crowd of fellow countrymen. This is also the day to eat that smelly fermented skate to freshen up your tastebuds and wake you up in time for Christmas.
- Learn more: Þorláksmessa – Do It Right
Christmas Day in Reykjavík
The town glows with Christmas lights and decorations, lighting up the seasonal darkness. Reykjavík looks more festive in the dark, and in late December, the sun rises around 11 AM and sets between 3 and 4 PM. Hallgrímskirkja church has a Christmas Day mass. Historically, almost all businesses have been closed on Christmas Day in Iceland, but this has been changing a bit in recent years to cater for the growing number of tourists since 2008. Therefore, you will be able to find some open restaurants, unlike just a few years ago.
- Learn more: Christmas Day Downtown Reykjavík
Christmas at Árbær Open Air Museum
Celebrate Advent and Christmas in an old-fashioned way at the Árbær Open Air Museum on Sunday, 8 December, and 15 December from 13:00 to 16:00. With activities in all areas of the museum, there will be plenty for visitors of all ages to see and do while strolling between the charming traditional houses and taking in the festive Christmas atmosphere. Those naughty Yule Lads will be out and about, and guests can sing and dance with them around the Christmas tree.
- See also: Reykjavík Christmas Markets 2024
New Year’s Eve in Reykjavík
During the day, people may do the decorations for the evening, buy some fireworks or participate in the annual New Years Eve Race, starting from Harpa Concert Hall downtown. In the evening, people have a special dinner, followed by a small or bigger party and watch the annual local comedy relief (Áramótaskaupið), which has through the years been the most watched TV event every year. After that, they start shooting up the fireworks to light up the night sky.
- Learn more: What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?
Soaking in Pools or Spas
Throughout the year, swimming pools are gathering places for Icelanders and never more important than during the dark and cold winter days of December. Nothing beats relaxing in warm water, while breathing in fresh cold air. The most popular pools in the city are Laugardalslaug (also the biggest one) and Vesturbæjarlaug. Pools such as Árbæjarlaug, Grafarvogslaug and Breiðholtslaug are also worth visiting.
- Learn more: Go Swimming in Iceland!
December Events
The Christmas Valley in the valley of Laugardalur takes place from 29 November to 23 December. Then this family park that sits in the back of the Reykjavík Zoo becomes a beautiful display of Christmas lights during the Advent season. From Thursday through Sunday during this time, the park will be open from 10 AM – 8 PM. Some of the rides are still operational, such as the roundabout. Admission is free for children under 12. While in the area, take a walk through the Botanical Garden, which will also be lit up with Christmas lights.
The Christmas Food Market in Harpa takes place from December 14 to 15 from 11 AM to 5 PM. Fishermen, farmers, and small-market food companies gather at Harpa for the Christmas Food Market. Showcasing some of the best ingredients and products Icelandic farmers and entrepreneurs can think of, the food fair is a great spot to pick up a souvenir from Iceland – or just a snack for the road!
The Yule Lads visit the National Museum of Iceland from December 13-24, daily at 11 AM. They wear their old Icelandic costumes and sing and tell children (and adults) stories. An admission ticket is needed.
Learn more about events in Reykjavík in December in our event calendar.
Christmas Beers
Christmas beers have for many people become an integral addition to the holiday season, more for their rich taste than anything else. Alcoholic beverages are not sold in grocery stores in Iceland but you can find non-alcoholic beers there, which taste great in many cases, e.g. Víking Jólabjór with a dark green label, that you can buy in Bónus, with malty flavour and reminiscent of the Icelandic traditional Christmas drink (malt and appelsín sodas mixed together 50/50) but much less sweet, and as such more appealing to adults in many cases although some will surely always prefer the traditional Christmas drink over this beer.
Vínbúðin (the local alcohol shops) sell Christmas beers with alcohol and the variety is much better than in the grocery stores. It has never been available as early as this year, already in stores from 31 October. The Danish beer Tuborg Julebryg has been the most popular Christmas beer here as in many other countries, but it is worth tasting some of the local beers in this category, e.g. ORA Jólabjór, Fönn Jólabjór and Litli Jólabjórinn Fölöl.
ORA Jólabjór tastes of rye bread, candy sugar, hay and seedcake. Fönn Jólabjór tastes of roasted malt, candy sugar and licorice. Litli Jólabjórinn Fölöl is a pale ale tasting of dried fruit, orange peel and pine needles.
December Day Tours from Reykjavík
What if you don’t feel like hanging around in Reykjavík in December? Take a day tour out of the city to see Northern Lights, go into a glacier or go snowmobiling. Here are just a few of the options, find more December day tours here.
