09-10-2024
Did you know that Christmas in Iceland lasts for 26 days? Yes, that’s right! Icelanders begin their Christmas celebrations on 11th December, with the main Christmas days being both the 24th and 25th December, and the festivities lasting all the way until the Epiphany on 6th January.
Iceland's Christmas season, known as Jól, is a magical blend of ancient traditions and modern festivities, complete with breathtaking natural wonders and, of course, snow!
Learn more about how Iceland celebrates Christmas, the traditions that make it special and what you can expect across the island during this magical time of year in our comprehensive guide to Christmas in Iceland. Let’s go!
First of all, if you’re wondering ‘does Iceland celebrate Christmas?’, the answer is yes. Since the Christianization of Iceland in 1000 AD, Christianity became the official religion of the country and Christmas has been celebrated on the island ever since.
There are a range of special Iceland Christmas traditions that make the festive period here special, including the 13 Yule Lads, gift-giving traditions, unique Icelandic Christmas food, the long celebrations and much more.
Yes, Iceland is an amazing place to spend Christmas. From the enchanting Yule Lads to the spectacular New Year's Eve fireworks, the holiday season in Iceland offers a unique Nordic yuletide experience. Here’s what you can expect:
Advent officially begins four Sundays before Christmas Eve, marking the very start of the Christmas preparations in Iceland. During this time, Icelanders light one candle on an Advent wreath each Sunday, with four candles being lit on 24th December. You’ll also see lots of homes decorated with festive lights to brighten the long winter nights.
Christmas Eve (Aðfangadagur) is the main event in Iceland's Christmas celebration. At 6pm on Christmas Eve, church bells ring to signal the start of Christmas. Families gather for a festive meal, often featuring traditional dishes like hangikjöt (smoked lamb) or rjúpa (ptarmigan, a game bird). After dinner, it's time to open presents and enjoy the evening together.
Christmas Day (Jóladagur) is typically spent visiting extended family and enjoying more holiday feasts. Many Icelanders attend church services on this day, though it's generally a quieter day compared to Christmas Eve.
While the Christmas season in Iceland begins with Advent, the main celebrations occur on the following days:
The holiday season extends until January 6th, known as Þrettándinn (the Thirteenth), which marks the end of Christmas and is celebrated with bonfires and the final fireworks of the season.
What does Iceland do for Christmas? And how do people celebrate Christmas in Iceland? We’ll answer these questions and more in our exploration of what a traditional Christmas in Iceland looks like.
One of Iceland's most beloved Christmas traditions is the arrival of the 13 Yule Lads, known as Jólasveinarnir in Iceland. These mischievous characters, sons of the trolls Grýla and Leppalúði, descend from the mountains one by one, starting 13 days before Christmas.
Each Yule Lad is known for a different kind of mischief, such as slamming doors or stealing food. Children leave their shoes by the window, hoping for small gifts from the Yule Lads. If they've been good, they might find candy or small presents in their shoes. If they've been naughty, they might find a potato instead!
The 13 Yule Lads have colorful names that reflect their personalities and pranks:
This tradition adds a unique and playful element to Iceland's Christmas celebrations, delighting both children and adults alike.
Another unique feature of Icelandic Christmas folklore is the Christmas Cat (Jólakötturinn), which is a large, vicious cat that is said to eat people who don't receive new clothes for Christmas. This tale was historically used to encourage people to finish their work before Christmas.
Gift-giving is a central part of Icelandic Christmas celebrations. One unique aspect is the Jólabókaflóð, or ‘Christmas Book Flood’, where people exchange books on Christmas Eve and spend the evening reading, reflecting the country's strong literary culture.
The Christmas Book Flood refers to the yearly release of many new books in the months leading up to Christmas in preparation for the traditional gift-giving at this time of year. Special Icelandic chocolates are also commonly given alongside books on Christmas Eve.
Icelanders celebrate Christmas with a mix of religious and secular traditions. Similarly to many European nations, lots of Icelanders attend midnight mass on Christmas Eve or services on Christmas Day, even if they're not regular churchgoers.
Family gatherings and community events are a key part of Iceland’s Christmas traditions, with Christmas being a very family-oriented holiday where multiple generations often come together to celebrate.
Christmas markets, concerts and other festive gatherings are commonly held in Iceland throughout the Christmas season, too, where locals and neighbors come together to enjoy the festivities as a community.
We can’t answer the question ‘how does Iceland celebrate Christmas?’ without mentioning the delicious Icelandic Christmas foods that are traditional to eat at this time of year. Icelandic Christmas cuisine is usually made with flavorful, local produce, creating yummy dishes including:
Reykjavik, Iceland's capital, becomes a winter wonderland during the Christmas season. If you’re in Iceland at Christmas, you’ll most likely visit Reykjavik, as the most populated area in Iceland by far with over 63% of the island’s population living in the Greater Reykjavik area. Here are some of the things you can experience in Reykjavik at Christmas time:
Visiting Iceland during Christmas offers a truly unique festive experience. Here’s what you can expect:
Icelandic Christmas decorations blend traditional and modern elements to create a spectacular and colorful display. If you’re wondering ‘how does Iceland decorate for Christmas?’, here’s the answer.
During the Christmas period in Iceland, you can also look forward to the Icelandic New Year celebrations. New Year’s Eve in Iceland is a spectacular affair, with both family traditions and communal celebrations, just as with Christmas.
The night of New Year begins with community bonfires, called Áramótabrennur, across the country. These gatherings are a time for Icelanders to come together, sing and reflect on the past year.
As midnight approaches, the sky erupts with fireworks. In Reykjavik, the display is particularly impressive, with fireworks launched from various points around the city. Many Icelanders participate by setting off their own fireworks, creating a dazzling panorama that lasts for hours.
A beloved New Year's Eve tradition is watching Áramótaskaup, a comedy show that satirizes the events of the past year. Most Icelanders tune in, making it a shared national experience. The show airs at 10:30 pm and it's common for parties to pause so everyone can watch together.
If you’re planning to visit Iceland during the Christmas and New Year period, here are some top recommendations for fantastic festive experiences you can enjoy:
When visiting Iceland at Christmas, here are some top travel tips in mind to enjoy your vacation to the max.
The holiday season in Iceland concludes on January 6th with the last day of Christmas, known as Þrettándinn (the Thirteenth) because this day marks the departure of the last Yule Lad. Celebrated with bonfires and the final fireworks of the season, this day is also associated with various traditional Icelandic folklore, including elves moving to new homes and cows gaining the power of speech.
Christmas in Iceland offers a magical blend of fun and wholesome traditions, natural beauty, festive cheer, spectacular fireworks, cozy family gatherings, community bonfires and more. Whether you're exploring Christmas markets, watching the Northern Lights, or joining in New Year's Eve celebrations, Iceland provides an unforgettable holiday experience that will leave you with memories to cherish for years to come.
Thinking of going to Iceland for Christmas and New Year? Get your vacation planning started by finding your rental car in Iceland, perfect for taking you all across the island joining in Iceland’s unique Christmas celebrations. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you’ve got any questions and we look forward to welcoming you to Iceland for Christmas very soon!