The Christmas season is in full swing in Iceland. Many of my podcast listeners and followers on social media have asked about some awesome ways to experience Christmas in Iceland. Back in 2019, I shared 16 Christmas Activities to Do While Visiting Iceland on the podcast. While that list is still helpful, I wanted to update it a bit and provide some more links to activities that you might find helpful.
Iceland during Christmas is a wonderland of unique traditions and festive activities, particularly in the Reykjavík area. Here are six reasons why these activities make for an unforgettable holiday experience:
1. Icelandic Christmas Buffet
The Christmas season in Iceland is rich with culinary traditions, and the local buffet is a must-try. It’s not just about the food, which includes delicacies like hangikjöt (smoked lamb) and laufabrauð (leaf bread), but also about the experience of sharing these traditional dishes in a festive atmosphere.
It’s a perfect way to immerse yourself in Icelandic culture. One of my favorite things is that there are regular Christmas buffets and all vegan ones. I had the pleasure of going to an all vegan one at Plantan Kaffihús, a vegan cafe in the city, and it was phenomenal.
I have also been to ones that are mixed, like at Hotel Borg. If you plan to experience an Icelandic Christmas buffet, make sure to show up hungry and open to trying types of cuisine that you might not ordinarily come across.
2. A Reykjavik Christmas Walking Tour
This guided tour by Your Friend in Reykjavik is a fantastic way to explore the city’s Christmas spirit. It offers a blend of history, culture, folklore, and holiday cheer, providing insights into how Icelanders celebrate Christmas. The walk around Reykjavík’s beautifully decorated streets, filled with stories and local lore, is an intimate way to experience the city’s festive heart.
If you use my code ALLTHINGSICELAND (in all caps) you can save 10% on your Christmas Walk with Your Friend in Reykjavík.
3. Hunt for the Icelandic Yule Lads in Reykjavík
The Yule Lads are a unique and quirky part of Icelandic Christmas folklore. Searching for their projections on downtown buildings turns the city into a playful and magical scavenger hunt. It’s a fun, family-friendly activity.
On Reykjavik city’s website, they announced fun prizes that they are giving away for those who participate in the scavenger hunt. I have a link to that in the description of this episode on my website.
In December of 2021, I shared the Yule Lads poem on my podcast in Icelandic and English for each of the 13 days that they each come to town. I started on that day to introduce their troll mother Grýla and other members of their family, like the Yule Cat.
4. Ice Skating at Ingólfstorg Square
Located in the heart of Reykjavík, ice skating here is not just an activity; it’s an experience. Surrounded by the city’s festive lights and lively atmosphere, it’s a picturesque way to enjoy the Icelandic winter.
Usually, there are Icelandic santas, or Yule Lads, hanging out on the ice and playing with the kids. One warning that I think is worth mentioning is that the ice-skating rink here is not smooth.
It is a bit bumpy for a rink, so please be aware that can be harder to smoothly skate and easy to potentially fall. I am not sure why they are not able to make it smooth, especially since the ice-skating rink in Hafnarfjörður’s Christmas market is very smooth. I love to ice skate, so I had a blast doing it but I had to catch myself from falling a few times. Just a heads up for those that want to try it.
5. Visiting Icelandic Christmas Markets:
The Icelandic Christmas Markets in the Reykjavík area include Ingólfstorg, Heiðmörk, Hjartatorg, and the Hafnarfjörður Christmas Village. They offer a cozy, cheerful atmosphere where you can find everything from unique handcrafted goods, traditional Icelandic Christmas treats and family fun activities. These markets are a hub of local culture and craftsmanship, perfect for experiencing the festive spirit of Iceland. Here are the open times for each of the markets:
Christmas Markets in Downtown Reykjavík
Ingólfstorg Christmas Market
Smack dab in the middle of the city‘s center is this Christmas Market. It is vibrant and will definitely have you in the holiday spirit, especially with the music playing and children gallivanting around. Along with the ice skating rink are food vendors. There are also stores, restaurants and cafes all around.
Opening times:Every day from December 1st until December 23rd.
Hjartatorg Christmas Market
Hjartatorg means “heart square“ and this description fits well because this Christmas market is nestled in a area right off the main shopping street in downtown Reykjavík called Laugavegur. There are boths with people selling crafts of all kind. They are also food vendors and music.
Opening times: Weekends in December 13:00-18:00, December 23 from 16:00-21:00
Christmas Markets in Neighboring Towns that are part of the Greater Reykjavík Area
Hafnarfjörður Christmas Village
The town of Hafnarfjörður transforms into a winter wonderland in December. It will take you about 20-25 minutes of driving to get there from downtown Reykjavik. There are lots of booths where you can buy locally made goods, like soaps, candles, drinks, and so much more.
If you keep walking in the small square you will see that they even have rides for kids like you would find at a fair. Their ice skating rink is small but the ice is smooth and easy to navigate. This is one of my favorite places to visit in Iceland during the Christmas season because there are also Icelandic yule lads (or santas) hanging around.
Opening times: Every Friday from 17:00 – 20:00; Saturday and Sunday from 13:00 – 18:00 during the weeks of Advent.
Elliðavatnsbær Heiðmörk Christams Market
Heiðmörk is a beautiful, small forest that is part of Reykjavik but takes about 15-20 minutes of driving to get there. I love coming here for a couple of reasons. First, the lake where the Christmas market is located is insanely gorgeous, espcially when it freezes over.
The other is that this a great place to buy an Icelandic Christmas tree, if you are in the market for one. In Iceland, the Christmas trees look straggly compared to the full, robust trees you normally see in homes that celebrate Christams around the world. However, they have their own charm and in the past, I have purchased a tree that hardly came above my hips. It was adorable and so much easier to decorate.
Inside of the building there, they have a lovely spread of vendors selling all types of goods. It‘s fun to look around and buy a unique gift for yourself or a loved one.
Opening times: Starts on 26th November and runs for every weekend until 18th December from 12:00 and 17:00
6. Shopping for Traditional Icelandic Gifts
Places like the Hand Knitting Association of Iceland, Kirsuberjatréð shop, and Rammagerðin store are treasure troves of authentic Icelandic goods. From traditional sweaters to handcrafted items, these shops offer unique, high-quality gifts that carry the essence of Icelandic craftsmanship. Of course, there are many places to potentially buy gifts but I think those three are a great start.
7. Delight in the Laugardalur Christmas Valley & Árbær Open Air Museum
The area of Laugardalur in Reykjavík transforms their botanic garden and surrounding park into a Christmas Village that is so lovely. There are tons of lights, a functioning Merry Go Round, the Christmas cat makes an appearance, gingerbread cookie decorating, and family puzzles at the open restaurant.
Open times: Daily from 10 am to 5 pm, with extended hours until 8 pm on Fridays to Sundays until Christmas.
Christmas at the Árbær Open Air Museum showcases how Icelanders celebrated Christmas before modern times. It is fascinating to see how traditional leaf bread (laufabrauð) is made, dancing and singing around the Christmas tree, wool being spun, and you can even taste traditional Icelandic hangiköt (smoked lamb). This museum is amazing to visit during anytime of the year but it is extra special during the Christmas season. This is the only place where you have to pay for admission because it is a museum.
Open times: Sunday, 10 December, and 17 December from 13:00-16:00.
Each of these activities offers a distinct slice of Icelandic Christmas culture, making for a holiday season filled with unique experiences and cherished memories.
Random Fact of the Episode
Iceland lasts for 26 days in Iceland. Now, technically, it is 13 days BUT, and that is a big but, the Icelandic Yule Lads start to come in almost mid-December. It starts on December 12th, when the first Yule Lad comes to town and ends on January 6th, when the last Yule lad leaves.
For those new to this tradition, there are 13 Icelandic santas or Yule Lads. One comes to day on each day starting on December 12th. The last one arrives on December 24th. On the very next day, December 25th, the first Yule Lad that arrived on the 12th leaves town to go back to his home in the mountains. So, on each day starting on December 25th, one by one each Yule Lad heads home.
Icelandic Word of the Episode
Jólasveinar – Christmas Lads or the Icelandic Yule Lads
A reminder to make sure you use my discount code ALLTHINGSICELAND to save 10% on your Christmas Walk Tour with Your Friend in Reykjavik and over 40 other tours that they offer.
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