Is Iceland a Good Place to Visit at Christmas?

Christmas in Iceland is magical - take it from from us, we live here! With our stunning landscapes, festive traditions, and a touch of folklore, Iceland offers a once in a lifetime holiday experience! 

Here's why.

A Festive Wonderland

Iceland’s cities and towns come alive with Christmas lights that are kindred as early as November. Reykjavík’s streets are adorned with twinkling decorations, and its Christmas markets, like those in Ingólfstorg Square, overflow with handmade crafts, festive treats, and warm drinks. The entire country embraces the season, with traditions that are as charming as they are distinctive.

Pro Tip: We highly recommend "Jólaþorpið" in Hafnarfjörður and Hellisgerði for the Children. They have a wonderful Christmas schedule every weekend in December. You can look them up on Facebook during December.

Unique Icelandic Traditions

Forget Santa Claus—here in Iceland, we have 13 Yule Lads! These mischievous yet endearing characters visit children in the 13 nights leading up to Christmas, leaving gifts in their shoes (or a potato if they’ve been naughty). Each Yule Lad has a quirky personality, from Spoon-Licker to Door-Slammer, and their antics are a beloved part of Icelandic folklore.

One of the most intriguing traditions is the Christmas Eve custom of gifting books. Most icelanders give and receive books on December 24th, spending the night reading by candlelight while sipping hot cocoa. It’s a literary delight and a heartwarming way to celebrate the holiday.

Pro tip: If you are travelling with children, make sure to book an evening at "Jólaskógurinn í Guðmundarlundi". Go searching in the darkness for our yule lads and who knows? Maybe you will find some of them and even their mother, Grýla, too!  Tickets can be found on tix.is from November onwards.