
Christmas Programme at Árbær Open Air Museum
Kistuhylur 4, 110 Reykjavík
Dates
Árbæjarsafn
07, December 2025 - 14, December 2025
(see calendar for other dates)
Open from 1.00pm - 5.00pm
General Admission See on official website
Celebrate Advent and Christmas in the old-fashioned way at the Árbær Open Air Museum on Sunday, 7th of December, and 14th December from 13:00 to 16:00.
The ever-popular Christmas program, at Árbær Open Air Museum has become a fixture of the Reykjavík´s Christmas calendar. Visitors, young and old, will enjoy experiencing the Christmas preparation and celebration of days gone by. This includes preparation of traditional Icelandic Christmas food and crafts, for example candle making. Playful Yule Lads (traditional Icelandic Santa Clauses) peep through windows and play tricks on guests.
Main events:
14:00-16:00 Entertainment with the Christmas Lads
14:00 Service at the Church
15:00 Singing and dancing around the Christmas tree
The Christmas preparations are in full swing in the village. At the Árbær farm, you can see how traditional Icelandic Leaf Bread is decorated and how sheep wool is spun. Visitors to Hábær will be able to get a taste of traditional Icelandic hangikjöt (smoked lamb), and at Nýlenda House, a man is carving funny figures out of wood.
At Efstibær, the customary Skate fish, with its awful smell, is cooking in the pot, while at Miðhús, the printer makes Christmas cards. At the Stable in Garðastræti, candles are traditionally made and at Suðurgata 7 the Christmas celebration at the beginning of the 20th century is depicted.
Traditional Christmas sweets will be on offer in the General Store and freshly brewed coffee and hot chocolate awaits at Dillon's Café—the perfect spot to recharge with some delightful refreshments.
Admission is free for children, people with disabilities and City Card holders. Others pay ISK 2,450
Please note that the programme ends at 16:00, but the museum is open until 17:00.
Practical Information
Accessibility: The museum’s footpaths are mainly gravel. Many historic houses have steps and thresholds. Service dogs are welcome.
Public Transport:
Nearest bus stop: Árbæjarsafn (1-minute walk).
Other stops: Laxakvísl and Fagribær (5–6 minutes away).
FREE parking, including blue-badge parking spots opposite the entrance, is available.