11 Top Things To Do In Reykjavik This Christmas

Christmas in Icelandic is Jól, which was celebrated in Iceland long before it became a Christian nation. During pagan times, December 21st, the shortest day of the year, was when people gathered to celebrate the turning point towards longer days, a very significant moment in such Northern latitudes.

Nowadays, Iceland is becoming a popular travel destination during Christmastime and with good reason. During the winter season, there is an excellent chance to see the Northern Lights, experience the breathtaking landscape in a blanket of snow, and take part in some cosy, cultural traditions.

Jólahlaðborð

The Christmas buffet in Iceland consists of a traditional array of Icelandic food commonly eaten around the holidays. There are many restaurants now offering a Christmas buffet to travellers during the holidays so they can experience it as well. The buffet includes food such as smoked lamb that is boiled, sliced, and served cold with potatoes. Also, find the traditional laufabrauð, or leaf-bread, a very thin and deep fried piece of bread that is usually designed for the whole family weeks before with everyone sitting down together to carve intricate patterns in the dough.

1. Christmas Market at Ingólfstorg

Market, Icelandic

There are a few Christmas markets in Reykjavik. The main one, at Ingólfstorg Square in downtown Reykjavik, is transformed into Yule Town each December. Yule Town offers a wide selection of local, hand-crafted gifts, decorations, artisanal food, and an ice-skating rink in the middle of the square. Yule Town is usually open December 2-23.

The lighting of the Oslo Tree

On November 27, 2017, between 3:30 pm and 5:00 pm, the tradition of lighting the Oslo Christmas Tree will continue as it has for many decades. The lighting of the tree marks the beginning of Reykjavik´s Christmas preparations. Each year, many people gather under the tree to celebrate.

2. The Reykjavik Botanical Gardens

Botanical Garden

The Reykjavík Botanical Gardens provide a very cosy atmosphere during the holiday season. The garden paths are brightly lit with Christmas lights and decorations that enchant, especially during a snowfall.

Þórláksmessa

Christmas is celebrated beginning at 6:00 pm on December 24, the time most people go home for big family gatherings. However, on the evening before Þórláksmessa, shops, bars, and cafés located downtown are open until midnight. It is a popular time to gather downtown with friends, buy Christmas presents, drink hot chocolate, and mingle around.

New Year’s Celebrations

New Year’s in Iceland is notorious for their robust display of fireworks. The fireworks can be seen from anywhere in the city, but some of the best places are around Hallgrímskirkja and Perlan. One reason for such a robust display is because all fireworks are bought from the Icelandic Search and Rescue team, a volunteer mission, who receives most of their donations from the sale of New Year’s fireworks. After shooting fireworks at midnight, bars are open nearly the whole night.

Hallgrimskirkja, Reykjavík, Iceland

Perlan, Reykjavík, Iceland