Annual Events
Reykjavík is already famous for its vibrant culture and nightlife, but certain occasions are particularly special.
The city of Reykjavík and its neighbouring towns host numerous festivals throughout the year, including Culture Night in August, the Winter Lights festival in February and the Festival of the Sea in June.
Click on the bars to the left to see what's on during each month of the year.
For a more detailed events calendar, and a list of upcoming events, click here.
December
Advent and Christmas November 28th - December 24th 2010
In Iceland, Christmas is very important and is celebrated everywhere in society; families, friends and colleagues make the season special by having Christmas parties, baking cookies, drinking jolaglogg (mulled wine) and decorating their homes. The main day of celebration for Icelanders is Christmas Eve (24 December), however, the celebrations start much earlier.
By late November, streets and buildings are illuminated with Christmas lights and people start frequenting traditional Christmas buffets at the many restaurants in Reykjavík. On the first advent Sunday the lights are lit on a large Christmas tree at Austurvollur Square in the city centre, accompanied by music, choir singing and a visit by the 13 Icelandic Yule Lads (Door-slammer, Spoon-licker, Candle Beggar and others).
There is plenty on offer for visitors at this charming time of year. Shop for some unique gifts in Reykjavík city centre, visit the quaint Christmas Village in Hafnarfjordur town, check out the Christmas-themed museum exhibitions and explore the winter landscape around Reykjavík. On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day enjoy a traditional Icelandic Christmas dinner at some of the best restaurants in Reykjavik, tasing delicacies such as Hangikjot (smoked lamb served with potatoes, vegetables and a white sauce) or Rjupa (Icelandic Ptarmigan).
Opening hours during Christmas and New Year in Reykjavik (PDF 81 KB)
Lighting of the Christmas Tree November 28th
Every year the City of Oslo, Norway presents Reykjavík City with a beautiful festive tree. Placed in Austurvöllur Square in the city centre, the event is a family gathering with music and carols.
New Year’s Eve December 31st
New Year's Eve in Iceland is one spectacular celebration! The festivities traditionally start with a family dinner, followed by going to bonfires (brenna), where people gather to meet friends and neighbours, enjoy the warmth from the fire and perhaps sing some songs.
At midnight all hell breaks loose with a spectacular display of fireworks. Iceland does not have the restrictions on fireworks that other countries have, so the whole population of the Reykjavík Capital Area (200,000) makes its own massive fireworks show all over the city by blasting off fireworks from their garden or some vantage point.
But this is only the beginning. After midnight, the nightclubs and pubs are open for business, with dancing and celebrating going well into the morning.
Visitors can dine at one of Reykjavík's many restaurants and join in the celebrations by taking a New Year's Eve tour, or by finding their own way to one of the city's bonfires and popular gathering places for the midnight spectacular.
The Christmas Village in Hafnarfjörður Desember 4th - 23th 2009
Nestling in the heart of Hafnarfjörður, the Christmas Village offers a special opportunity to enjoy the festive season.
Icelanders really know how to make the Christmas season memorable: houses and streets are decorated with millions of multicoloured lights, families come together to prepare special treats for Christmas, and mouth-watering Christmas banquets are a must.
Hafnarfjörður, just a short distance from the capital, is a picturesque town set in the lava landscape, with its own relaxed and mellow atmosphere. Every weekend in December until Christmas, the Christmas Village in Hafnarfjörður will be open, offering a wide selection of gifts, Christmas decorations and delicious foodstuffs. Live musical performances are on the program, as well as the opportunity to meet Iceland’s very own Yuletide Lads, thirteen mischievous Santa’s who are said to bring gifts to good children for the thirteen nights preceding Christmas Day and their mother is often seen in the neighbourhood.
The Christmas Village is open Saturdays and Sundays from 13:00-18:00 until Christmas. visithafnarfjordur.is