Iceland : Festive Reykjavik Break

Who for? Those looking for a Christmas break with a difference

Christmas in Iceland is a real treat for children and adults alike, when no less than 13 Santa Clauses (Jólasveinn) come to town bearing food and gifts on Christmas Eve. Each of these 'Yuletide Lads' has its own name, character and role. Their parents are Grýla, a mean old woman who drags off naughty children, and Leppalúði, who is not quite as mean. There is also a tradition that begins on the evening of 1st December when all the children in Iceland place their best shoe in their bedroom window before they go to sleep. If they have been good that day, they receive a special treat in their shoe from Santa Clause. This continues every day until Christmas.

Other than these customs the holiday is celebrated in much the same way as elsewhere around the world with the exchange of gifts and a festive meal, often ptarmigan, a game bird, or smoked lamb, eaten on Christmas Eve. The mass day of St. Thorlakur (Thorlaksmessa) is celebrated on 23rd December. Shops are open until 23:30 and then close for three days during Christmas. Many attend midnight mass.  This is a time for families in Iceland, however visitors can enjoy the magical lights in Reykjavik, and perhaps even nature's own light display, with sightings of the aurora borealis possible at this time of year.

Twelve Days of Christmas - Þrettándinn, January 6
This day marks the end of the Christmas season, with a special celebration of the Twelfth Night. This is when elves and trolls come out and celebrate with the Icelanders; dancing and singing. On this day, the festivities of New Year's Eve (bonfires and fireworks) are repeated on a smaller scale all over Iceland. 

Reykjavik is clean, crisp and refreshingly different. It is a place of many facets: the cosy timber dwellings of its historic heart are clustered around the city’s centre piece - a lake and bird sanctuary. In the bustling streets surrounding the cathedral and Parliament, Reykjavik’s cafés radiate inviting warmth and the capital has more than its fair share of top class restaurants with many internationally-known chefs preparing a vast range of cuisine to the highest standards. .This compact city is easy to explore and almost everyone speaks English so directions are simple to follow. 

To read more about Reykjavik's highlights, click here »

Reykjavik has an unlimited supply of nature on its doorstep making it an ideal base from which to explore. Head down to the sea and let your eyes wander to the broody mountains across the bay for a taste of what you can expect on one of our day trips out of the city.

For a range of excursions from Reykjavik during the festive period, click here »

EXTRA VALUE BONUS CARD
Our exclusive Discover the World ‘BONUS CARD', issued free to all Iceland passengers, can offer you savings of between 5% and 30% on goods and services purchased locally including shopping, eating out and museums.