National Holidays in Iceland | Traditions & Dates

During these days, you can expect most stores to be closed. In Reykjavík, however, many bars and restaurants will still be open for business and those who do have to work can look forward to being paid extra to show up on these dates.

Many public holidays are steeped in unique celebratory traditions, and the shared practice of these customs creates a strong feeling of community. 

It is during the holidays that you can experience the small-island spirit of Iceland, and if you’re informed as to what’s happening, you can be a part of it! Don’t get caught out and irritated if all the stores are closed (even though locals sometimes complain!). Instead, indulge in a bit of Icelandic culture and join in the festivities.

Public Holidays (2019)

There are many more festive days in the Icelandic calendar, however, the dates included in the table above are exclusively bank holidays.

New Year's Day             

What Icelanders get up to on New Year's Day (Nýársdagur) is not radically different from people all over the world. As you will read about later, the locals push the boat out to celebrate the New Year, and parties in Reykjavík's bars only begin at Midnight. 

As a large proportion of people choose to imbibe, many spend their New Years Day feeling rather... fragile.

Traditionally, all shops were closed on the 1st of January, and the Downtown of Reykjavík mostly resembled a ghost town. However, due to the rise in tourism in recent years, an increasing number of restaurants and bars are open in the city centre, and those poor souls dragged into work, get paid double! 

• See also: The Best Restaurants in Reykjavík 

As in many other countries, some Icelanders opt to celebrate the New Year by jumping into the freezing sea to go for a swim. The majority, however, are quite hungover and considering gym memberships or busy making new year's resolutions to never drink again.

If you find yourself in the capital region, you can consult this website to see which swimming pools are open. Laugardalslaug is usually open from 12-18:00 on the 1st of January, and there are not many better ways to settle into the new year than soaking in a geothermally heated pool.

Easter in Iceland

Photo by Olena Sergienko

Easter (Páska) celebrations are extensive in Iceland and result in a five-day weekend for locals. Although less than 50% of Icelanders would consider themselves religious, the history of Christian rule is still evident in the nation's calendar. Many outdated rules regarding the observance of these dates still linger in Icelandic law although they are rarely enforced.

A large number of 13-14-year-olds go through civil or religious confirmation at this time, a common rite of passage for adolescents in Iceland. The Easter season is punctuated with many grand parties to celebrate this initiation to adulthood and friends and family attend with lavish presents in tow.

Easter is a favourite time of year for many Icelanders; they can enjoy a large amount of delicious food as well as time off work with family without the stress of Christmas shopping. As the weather improves and the days become longer, spirits are considerably elevated during this holiday season.

Maundy Thursday      

Maundy Thursday commemorates Jesus Christ's Last Supper with his thirteen disciples and it marks the beginning of Easter. As well as offices and school, many shops will be closed and this is one of the most popular days for young Icelanders to be confirmed.

The Wednesday preceding Maundy Thursday is treated as a weekend in Reykjavík as bars are open late until 03:00 or 04:30 in the morning since many people do not have work the next day (bars usually close at 01:00 AM on weekdays). This is a great opportunity to sample the eclectic and exciting nightlife Reykjavík has to offer. Just be sure to have your shopping finished as the shops won't be open until Saturday! 

• See also: Nightlife in Reykjavík

Many swimming pools in Reykjavík are open on Maundy Thursday and Icelanders love to spend their vacation time soaking in the hot pools and hopefully, the sunshine.

Good Friday         

Traditionally, Good Friday is lawfully delineated as a day for solemn contemplation; dancing, gambling, drinking or going to cinema used to be strictly forbidden and technically, illegal. These laws are observed to the degree that bars close at midnight on Maundy Thursday and do not open again until Good Friday is over, exactly 24-hours later.

As a form of protest to these strict Christian laws, Icelandic atheists gather in the square Austurvöllur in Downtown Reykjavík to play a rebellious game of Good Friday Bingo. It's free to play, and there are prizes to be won!

By law, all shops are closed on Good Friday so be sure to stock up on provisions beforehand. The bars open after Midnight on Good Friday so head into the city centre for a drink and a dance with the locals.

Easter Sunday          

As with Good Friday, Easter Sunday is officially mandated as a day of solemn Christian observance, although in reality there is a lot more merriment to be had than there is prescribed by law. The Saturday between these two days often entails Icelanders bombarding the shops while they're open, to stock up on supplies to last until Tuesday. Be prepared for long lines!

We couldn't talk about Easter without talking about chocolate; Easter eggs in Iceland are of the highest quality and are sold in all of the supermarkets. Beautifully decorated with a toy chick and fake flowers, Icelandic Easter eggs are packed full of candy on the inside as well as delicious chocolate on the outside. 

• See also: Shopping in Iceland 

Families will often plan Easter Egg hunts and children are challenged to find their chocolatey reward. Each egg contains an Icelandic proverb which is a highlight of busting open these chocolate treasure chests. Older family members will regularly be requested to explain these witticisms as they can be quite cryptic.

In the afternoon, it's common to celebrate with a home cooked meal which traditionally, is a roasted leg of lamb with all the trimmings. In Reykjavík, bars open after Midnight and only close in the early hours of the morning. Yes, despite seemingly promoting piety on paper, the long Easter weekend can, in reality, be quite a boozy holiday.

Easter Monday      

Another free day for schools and offices, Easter Monday does not entail the same religious militancy as Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Icelanders spend this day scoffing what's left of their Easter eggs or returning from holiday homes in the countryside if they've spent their long weekend out of town.

Swimming pools are usually open, and some supermarkets will have limited opening hours.

First Day of Summer            

Although the weather can be notoriously bad on the First Day of Summer, Icelanders still celebrate with parades led by brass bands and scouts, outdoor sporting events and live entertainment all over the country. 

• See also: Iceland's Seasonal Contrasts

There is an old superstition that if the temperature drops below zero the night before Sumardagurinn fyrsti, it is a favourable auspice for a fair summer to come. Parents give children a summer gift, an Icelandic tradition which is 400-years older than the custom of giving presents at Christmas.

May Day          

As in countries the world over, May Day in Iceland is a day for general protest. In Reykjavík, people take to the streets to demonstrate against misgivings they may have with the current state of affairs and the procession is led by a brass band down the main shopping street, Laugavegur. 

This May Day tradition largely stems from the Cold War when there was an active community of communist sympathisers within Iceland who adopted the custom from other left-leaning groups in mainland Europe.

The first of these marches, however, took place all the way back in 1932 to protest the number of working hours in a week. Events can take place all over the country, however, the largest demonstration is in Reykjavík.

Ascension Day          

Ascension day is a celebration to commemorate Christ's bodily ascension to heaven, and it occurs 40 days after Easter. It is one of the oldest Christian holidays, and it has been part of the Icelandic Christian calendar since 400 AD. Schools and workplaces are closed although restaurants and bars will be open in the centre of Reykjavík.

The majority of Icelander's will enjoy a day off to spend with family and partake in outdoor activities. Religious Icelanders will go to church and some may engage with the age-old custom of snuffing an Easter candle to symbolise Jesus' holy departure from Earth.

Whit Sunday       

This is not a day for Icelanders to hone their humour but rather, Whit Sunday, also known as 'Pentecost Monday' is once again a Christian holiday, and it occurs 10-days after Ascension Day. Biblically, it marks the day that the Holy Spirit was revealed to the apostles and other followers of Jesus Christ.

Most Icelanders will not be entirely sure of the meaning of this observance but will welcome another day free from school or work. Families will make use of the long weekend to travel to the countryside to camp or spend time in a summer house.

The main supermarkets will be closed; however bars and restaurants will be open for business and tours are likely to run as normal.

Independence Day         

Across the country, workplaces are closed, and people partake in festivities to celebrate; the largest party, however, is in Reykjavík. Swathes of people flock to the Downtown area to watch the parade and outdoor concerts, admire vintage cars gathered by Harpa Concert Hall and buy helium balloons for their children. 

The annual 'Lady of the Mountain' or Fjallakona in Icelandic, is crowned as part of the parade and she symbolises the Icelandic spirit and nature.

Join in the merriments, and grab an Icelandic flag to wave, all are welcome! (Even the Danish!)

Commerce Day            

Photo by Pavel Brodsky

Commerce Day falls on the first Monday of August and it has been observed in Iceland since 1894. It can also be called the 'Holiday of the Merchants' as it is a day to award shopkeepers and traders a day off.

This bank holiday weekend is called Verslumannahelgi, and many people leave the city to camp or relax in a summer house.  There are numerous outdoor festivals which take place around the country featuring live music and fireworks. Young Icelanders especially attend en masse equipped with Icelandic sweaters, guitars and high spirits.

The most famous of these festivals is called Þjóðhatið, the 'National Festival' and it is staged on the picturesque Westman Islands. If you plan to attend, you will need to think ahead as spaces on the ferry fill up fast! 

• See also: Camping in Iceland | All You Need to Know 

There is a large camping and music festival in Akureyri as well as Innipúkinn (which translates to 'Indoor Imp') within Reykjavík which features live music and an outdoor market

If you find yourself in the Westfjords, you could attend the European Swamp Soccer Championships (Mýrarboltinn), one of the strangest sporting events whereby players battle through a muddy mire to score goals. Visitors are welcome to watch or, if you're feeling brave, you can join in!

Christmas

The candles and twinkling fairy lights of this period bring an element of joy to these otherwise dark and cold winter months and the Christmas spirit is embraced as early as mid-November. Visiting Iceland in its Yuletide glory is a special experience, guaranteed to leave you feeling warm and cosy on the inside.

Christmas Eve         

As in other Nordic countries, Christmas Eve is the principal day of celebration when people open their presents and much more. The official public holiday starts after noon and public transportation in Reykjavík stops at around 16:00. Nearly everything is guaranteed to be closed after this time.

If Icelanders are working in the morning, they will hurry home to prepare for the evening's festivities. Christmas Eve is somewhat of a formal affair, and people will wash and dress-up for the occasion. The interior and exterior of peoples' homes will be extensively decorated, and Icelandic Christmas songs will fill the air.

Christmas Eve is generally celebrated at home, and it officially begins at 18:00, marked by the tolling of the bells of Hallgrímskirkja church. This fanfare is relayed on the radio, and families gather to listen in anticipation of the coming Yuletide. Once everyone has wished each other a Merry Christmas (Gleðileg Jól), they will sit down for Christmas dinner.

Photo by Lyonel Perabo 

Traditional  Christmas dishes include ptarmigan (rjúpa), smoked lamb (hangikjöt), smoked pork (hamborgarhryggur), and sometimes reindeer, accompanied by pickled red cabbage and other sides. This is washed down with a non-alcoholic Christmas drink called Christmas Ale (jólaöl) which is a mixture of an Icelandic orange soda (Appelsín) and a syrupy malted beverage (straight-forwardly called 'Malt').

Once dinner is finished (and the dishwasher stacked if your parents were particularly cruel) it's time to open the presents. It is traditional for Icelandic children to receive a piece of clothing for Christmas otherwise, they are in danger of being devoured by the dreaded Christmas Cat. 

The Christmas Cat is the feline companion of the feared trolless Grýla who likes nothing better than to feast on naughty children after cooking them in a large cauldron. She is much feared by Icelandic children and an effective bargaining tool to encourage them to behave.

Grýla is also mother to the 13 Yule Lads, mischievous characters who come down from the mountains at Christmas to give good children presents and shun the naughty with rotten potatoes. Yes, that's right, in Iceland, we have 13 Santa Clauses.

Once all the presents are open, families relax and plays games or watch a movie while the children play with their new toys. Religious Icelanders will attend a Midnight Mass.

Christmas Day

Photo by Sapan Patel

The whole of Christmas Day is a bank holiday and Icelanders usually spend it with family playing games or watching films. Some will use this day to indulge in festivities with extended family, attending large buffets at a relative's house or hosting one themselves. Many choose to go for a Christmas walk to burn some of those over-indulgent calories.

You can expect supermarkets and shops to be closed, but more bars and restaurants will be open than the night before. It is recommended that you book tables in advance.

After plenty of family time, many choose to go out partying in the nighttime as the bars are open late and people don't have work the next day.

Boxing Day/Saint Stephen's Day         

The 'Second (day) of Christmas' (annar í jólum) is also a public holiday, and it is savoured in a very similar fashion to Christmas Day. Supermarkets will still be closed, but restaurants and bars in the centre of Reykjavík will mostly function as normal.

Traditionally, dancing and other outward signs of merriment were strictly banned over the Christmas period. The 26th was the date that dancing was once again allowed in public. 

New Year's Eve

Just like Christmas Eve, the afternoon of the 31st is a bank holiday and public transport in Reykjavík usually runs until 16:00. Shops will be closed, and you will have to make dinner reservations if you plan on eating out.

Icelanders will enjoy a lavish multi-course meal with family before heading out to feel the warm glow of a bonfire. New Year's Bonfires (Áramótabrennur) are lit all over the country and, following an age-old tradition of burning away the old year to welcome the new. It's an opportunity to share in festivities with neighbours and friends while keeping warm in front of the fire.

Celebrate New Years like a true Icelander and join a bonfire and firework tour as well as a slap-up meal in one of Reykjavík's top restaurants here.

You can hear the rumble and squeals of fireworks throughout the evening but silence descends promptly at 22:30 as the Áramótaskaup  (or 'skaupið') begins, a comedy sketch show that comments upon the year's events. This 50-minute satire has been running since 1966, and over 90% of the Icelandic population dutifully tune in every year.

As soon as Áramótaskaup finishes, the real fireworks show begins with the bulk of explosives peak in the half an hour after Midnight. It's a good idea to try to get to higher ground to marvel at this awesome display. Alternatively, you could enjoy the outlandish view from the water on this fantastic New Year's cruise.

Photo by William Sinclair

Shortly after Midnight, most bars open their doors, and people leave their families to partake in one of the biggest parties of the year. Icelanders meet friends to drink, dance and discuss the skaupið and don't stop until the next morning. Be prepared for one of the wildest parties of your life!

In folklore, New Year's Eve is thought to be a mystical evening in which the dead can rise from their graves, and magical mischief-makers such as elves and 'hidden people' are highly active. Traditionally, Icelanders would leave the lights on, and their doors unlocked to encourage a visit from these mystical creatures, considered good luck for the coming year. 

Are you considering visiting during one of these public holidays? What are your experiences of festivities in Iceland? Did you find this article useful? Make sure to leave your thoughts and queries in the Facebook comments box below.