What is the weather like in Iceland in December?

Reykjavík has a normal high of 3.3 °C, a mean of 0.8 °C and a normal low of -1.6 °C. Normal precipitation is 94.9 mm.

How much daylight does Iceland have in December?

Around the middle of December, Reykjavík has 4h 13m of daylight. Sunrise is 11:16 and sunset is 15:29.

Can northern lights be seen in Iceland in December?

December falls within the period when northern lights are typically visible. Clear, dark conditions are required.

Is Iceland busy at Christmas?

Christmas is the biggest holiday in Iceland, with month-long festivities that include food, cultural and religious events, parties and family dinners.

Where are the Christmas markets near Reykjavík?

Christmas markets are held at Austurvöllur in the city centre, in Heiðmörk on the outskirts, and in Hafnarfjörður's Christmas Village.

Who are the Yule Lads?

The Yule Lads are pranksters from Icelandic folklore who can leave small gifts for well-behaved children.

What is Þorláksmessa?

Þorláksmessa opens the festive season, and fermented skate is the traditional dish that day.

When to visit Iceland

Iceland in December

Christmas is the biggest holiday of the Icelandic year, and December is when it fills the towns with lights.

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At a glance

Temperature

High 3.3 °C, low -1.6 °C, mean 0.8 °C

Precipitation

94.9 mm across 14.6 rainy days

Sunshine

12.6 sunshine hours

Mid-month daylight

4h 13m, sunrise 11:16, sunset 15:29

These figures are Reykjavík normals for 1991-2020, sourced from Icelandic Meteorological Office (Veðurstofa Íslands). North, East and highland areas run colder than Reykjavík. Iceland remains on GMT and UTC throughout the year without daylight saving.

What it is like

Christmas, or Jól, is the biggest holiday in Iceland, and its traditions mix religion and folklore. The festive season runs from Þorláksmessa until Þrettándinn, the thirteenth day of Christmas. Downtown Reykjavík is decorated with Christmas lights, and Christmas markets open in and around the capital.

Children put a shoe on the windowsill in the hope of a small present from the Yule Lads.
Jólaþorpið, the Christmas Village in Hafnarfjörður, has small wooden huts selling handcrafted goods, decorations and treats.
In the weeks before Christmas, restaurants offer jólahlaðborð, festive Christmas buffets.
Fermented skate, skata, is the traditional dish on Þorláksmessa.
Christmas concerts are held in churches and at Harpa.
Many new books are published before Christmas in what is called the Christmas book flood, Jólabókaflóð.

What's on in December

The Yule Lads come to town
12 to 24 December 2026, Iceland. The Yule Lads arrive one by one before Christmas.
Christmas in Iceland
24 to 26 December 2026, Iceland. How Iceland celebrates Christmas.

Getting around in December

For current road and weather conditions, check road.is and safetravel.is before setting out. The Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration publishes road notifications and traffic information at umferdin.is. Studded tyres are permitted in winter but are optional. Headlights and taillights must be on at all times, all year round.

Check routes with the road conditions tool and the driving distance calculator.

Holiday closures and opening hours

Under the Forty-Hour Working Week Act, Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve are public holidays from one in the afternoon, and Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day are holy days of the national church.
Grocery stores are generally open until noon on Christmas Eve and closed on Christmas Day, and over New Year they close at noon on New Year's Eve and stay closed on New Year's Day.
Restaurants in Reykjavík are generally open in winter, but opening hours vary over Christmas and New Year, and booking ahead is advised.
Most Icelanders celebrate on Christmas Eve, and gifts are usually opened after dinner that evening.

Guides for December

What to do

These tour hubs match activities and regions that operate or are typically accessible during December.

Planning notes

Pack for cold, wind and darkness, with warm layers, a waterproof outer shell and sturdy footwear for icy paths. Use the Iceland packing list for a structured checklist.

Check other dates and locations with the Iceland daylight tool.

Frequently asked questions

What is the weather like in Iceland in December?: Reykjavík has a normal high of 3.3 °C, a mean of 0.8 °C and a normal low of -1.6 °C. Normal precipitation is 94.9 mm.
How much daylight does Iceland have in December?: Around the middle of December, Reykjavík has 4h 13m of daylight. Sunrise is 11:16 and sunset is 15:29.
Can northern lights be seen in Iceland in December?: December falls within the period when northern lights are typically visible. Clear, dark conditions are required.
Is Iceland busy at Christmas?: Christmas is the biggest holiday in Iceland, with month-long festivities that include food, cultural and religious events, parties and family dinners.
Where are the Christmas markets near Reykjavík?: Christmas markets are held at Austurvöllur in the city centre, in Heiðmörk on the outskirts, and in Hafnarfjörður's Christmas Village.
Who are the Yule Lads?: The Yule Lads are pranksters from Icelandic folklore who can leave small gifts for well-behaved children.
What is Þorláksmessa?: Þorláksmessa opens the festive season, and fermented skate is the traditional dish that day.