Christmas in Iceland

What is Christmas in Iceland like?

Christmas is one of Iceland’s most important family celebrations. Its Icelandic name, Jól, shares its roots with the English word Yule. Modern celebrations combine Christian customs with older midwinter traditions: homes and streets glow with lights, families gather over long meals, new books are exchanged, and folklore becomes part of everyday December life.

The festive calendar is longer than a single day. Advent builds through December, the first Yule Lad arrives on December 12, Christmas officially begins for many families at 6 PM on December 24, and the season ends on January 6 with Þrettándinn. That rhythm makes December atmospheric for visitors, but the quiet family holidays on December 24–26 require some planning.

Things to do in Iceland at Christmas

Use Reykjavík as a comfortable base for festive walks, seasonal food and organised winter activities. Downtown streets are decorated, shops and cafés feel especially cosy, and annual programmes may include concerts, markets, skating and appearances by Icelandic Christmas characters. Dates change from year to year, so check current event calendars shortly before your trip.

December is also a strong season for guided adventures. Depending on conditions, options can include ice-cave experiences, glacier activities, snowmobiling and Northern Lights tours. A guide handles the winter logistics, which is particularly useful when daylight is limited and weather changes quickly.

For a city-focused experience, explore our Reykjavík guide and the seasonal Reykjavík Christmas Walk. Reserve must-do tours and restaurant tables before arrival, especially for the days immediately around Christmas.

Icelandic Christmas food and baking

Food is central to the season. Many restaurants offer a jólahlaðborð, or Christmas buffet, during Advent. Common dishes include hangikjöt (smoked lamb), glazed ham and, in some homes, ptarmigan or reindeer, with potatoes, sauce, vegetables and preserves. Buffets are popular with local families and workplaces, so advance booking is sensible.

Home baking is just as important. Sörur are small almond-meringue cookies with chocolate buttercream, while lakkrístoppar combine meringue, chocolate and liquorice. Families may also decorate gingerbread houses and make laufabrauð, very thin round bread cut into detailed patterns before frying. A traditional non-alcoholic Christmas drink, often called Jólaöl, mixes malt drink with orange soda.

Shopping and Þorláksmessa on December 23

December 23 is Þorláksmessa, the feast day of Saint Þorlákur. In Reykjavík, many people use the evening for a final walk through the city centre, last-minute shopping and meeting friends. Seasonal shop hours vary, so do not rely on an old timetable.

The best-known food tradition of the day is fermented skate, or skata. Its strong smell is part of the experience, and restaurants that serve it usually advertise special lunches. You do not need to try skate to enjoy Þorláksmessa; the lively streets and festive atmosphere are the more accessible tradition for most visitors.

Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day

Christmas Eve, December 24, is the main celebration. Many families dress for dinner and mark the start of Christmas at 6 PM, traditionally when church bells ring. The evening is spent eating together, exchanging gifts, reading books and relaxing at home. Some families serve rice pudding with a single almond hidden in the pot; the person who finds it receives a small present.

Christmas Day and Boxing Day are quieter family holidays. Some hotels, restaurants, pools and tour operators remain open, but many shops, museums and services close or use reduced hours. Visitors should confirm every booking directly and buy basic groceries before the afternoon of December 24.

The 13 Yule Lads, Grýla and the Yule Cat

Iceland has 13 Yule Lads rather than one traditional Santa Claus. In folklore, these mischievous brothers live in the mountains with their troll mother, Grýla, their father, Leppalúði, and the enormous Yule Cat, Jólakötturinn. Older stories made the family frightening; today the Yule Lads are playful Christmas characters who appear at events and entertain children.

The first, Stekkjastaur, arrives on December 12. One brother follows each night until Kertasníkir arrives on Christmas Eve. Children place a shoe on a windowsill and may find a small gift the next morning—or, according to the joke, a potato if they have misbehaved.

The brothers’ names describe their habits: Giljagaur hides in gullies, Stúfur is short, Þvörusleikir licks spoons, Pottasleikir licks pots, Askasleikir licks bowls, Hurðaskellir slams doors, Skyrgámur loves skyr, Bjúgnakrækir steals sausages, Gluggagægir peers through windows, Gáttaþefur sniffs at doors, Ketkrókur uses a meat hook and Kertasníkir begs for candles.

Þrettándinn: the last day of Christmas

January 6 is Þrettándinn, the last day of the Icelandic Christmas season. The final Yule Lad returns to the mountains, decorations begin to come down, and some communities hold bonfires, fireworks and gatherings linked to stories of elves and hidden people. Events are local and weather-dependent, so check the programme where you are staying rather than assuming a bonfire will take place.

Planning a Christmas trip to Iceland

Keep the itinerary flexible. Snow is possible but never guaranteed, and wind, ice or storms can change driving conditions at short notice. Review our guides to Iceland’s December weather and winter driving in Iceland before deciding whether to self-drive. When conditions are difficult, a guided day tour is often the easier choice.

• Reserve accommodation, Christmas meals and priority tours well in advance.
• Confirm opening hours for December 24, 25 and 26 directly with each business.
• Buy groceries and essentials before services begin closing on Christmas Eve.
• Pack warm, waterproof layers and footwear with good grip.
• Check the weather and road conditions again each day before travelling.

Frequently asked questions