This guide covers how Iceland celebrates Christmas, its traditions, food and markets.
How Iceland celebrates Christmas
Christmas, or Jól, is the biggest holiday in Iceland, and its traditions mix religion and folklore.
Most Icelanders celebrate on Christmas Eve, and gifts are usually opened after dinner that evening.
The festive season runs from Þorláksmessa until Þrettándinn, the thirteenth day of Christmas.
The Yule Lads, Grýla and the Yule Cat
The Yule Lads are pranksters from Icelandic folklore who can leave small gifts for well-behaved children.
Children put a shoe on the windowsill in the hope of a small present from the Yule Lads.
Grýla is the Yule Lads' troll mother.
The Yule Cat is said to eat people who did not get a new piece of clothing before Christmas.
The Christmas book flood
Giving books for Christmas is a long tradition in Iceland.
Many books are published before Christmas in what is called the Christmas book flood, Jólabókaflóð.
Downtown Reykjavík is decorated with Christmas lights.
Laugavegur and Skólavörðustígur are the main shopping streets.
Christmas food
Icelandic food includes piparkökur, Icelandic ginger biscuits that are baked through the season.
Laufabrauð, or leaf bread, is thin dough carved with patterns and fried, and making it is a family ritual.
In the weeks before Christmas, people gather for jólahlaðborð, festive buffets offered by restaurants.
Fermented skate, skata, is the traditional dish on Þorláksmessa.
Hangikjöt, smoked lamb, is one of the most popular Christmas dishes.
Christmas markets in and around Reykjavík
Jólaþorpið, the Christmas Village in Hafnarfjörður, has small wooden huts with vendors selling handcrafted goods, decorations and treats.
Visitors may meet Yule Lads at Jólaþorpið.
The Austurvöllur Christmas market is in the heart of Reykjavík, with handmade crafts, decorations and local food.
The Christmas market in Heiðmörk, on the outskirts of Reykjavík, sits in woodland and sells handcrafted items, artisanal food and freshly cut Christmas trees.
Árbær Open Air Museum holds Christmas-themed weekends in December, with a Christmas tree and Yule Lads among the old houses.
Planning a December visit
In Reykjavík in winter, restaurants are generally open, but opening hours vary around Christmas, so booking ahead is advised.
Checking daylight for your dates
Use the Daylight Calculator to help plan your trip.
Comparing Reykjavik tours
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