When you arrive in Iceland in December, the first thing you notice is the quiet. Snow sits on the hills like a thick blanket, steam rises from hot springs, and the cold air feels crisp but clean. Towns look small against the vast landscape, and most homes glow with warm lights by mid-afternoon. The short daylight makes every window feel like a beacon, and families across the country lean into these warm touches to brighten the long season.
Walking through Reykjavik or any of the small towns, you see people with bags of baked goods from local shops, children bundled in thick coats, and families gathering indoors before the evening chill settles in. Icelanders handle winter with simple routines that make the season feel friendly. Nothing here rushes. People enjoy the slow build toward Christmas, with lights, books, treats, and old traditions that help them get through the cold months.
December in Iceland feels like an invitation to slow down and enjoy the season alongside everyone else.
Getting Ready for Christmas the Icelandic Way
Icelanders start preparing for Christmas early in December. Homes begin adding light touches that stay up through the month. Families place candles or small lamps in the windows. Some use real candles. Others use electric ones. Either way, the glow makes the home feel warm against the dark winter outside.
Advent calendars are popular. Children open a new window each morning before school. Some calendars hold candy. Others have small toys. The surprise helps mark the countdown toward Christmas and gives kids something to look forward to each day.
Inside the home, baking fills the kitchen with warm smells. Families make cookies, small cakes, and treats that appear only in December. Butter, sugar, chocolate, and spices fill the air. Children help roll out dough or decorate cookies. Even families who do not bake much during the year often find time for it in December because it is part of the Icelandic holiday experience.
Shops in Reykjavik and other towns sell handmade decorations, wool goods, and small wooden figures. Iceland’s winter markets are calm and friendly. You walk from stall to stall, sip a warm drink, and talk with the people who made the items. Many of the decorations reflect old stories, such as the Yule Lads, local folklore, or symbols from Iceland’s farming and fishing past.
By the second week of December, Iceland feels fully settled into the holiday season.
Meeting the Thirteen Yule Lads
One of the most unusual and fun parts of Icelandic Christmas is the group of characters known as the Yule Lads. These thirteen figures come from old Icelandic stories. Today, they are a playful part of the season. They arrive one by one on the nights leading up to Christmas, so each evening brings a different visitor.
Children place a shoe in the window each night. If they have behaved well, the Yule Lad visiting that night leaves a small treat. If they had a rough day or week, the Lad may leave a potato. Kids wake up excited to see which visitor came and what was left behind.
Each Yule Lad has a name that fits his personality. Some are silly, like the one who peeks through windows. Others look for leftovers in pots or try to sneak food. None of them is scary. They come across as playful characters who keep December fun for children. Many Icelandic families tell these stories as part of their nightly routine. Schools teach the names and personalities, and older relatives enjoy sharing how they learned about the Yule Lads when they were young.
In many towns, you find little statues or decorations of the Yule Lads at shops and markets. Visitors enjoy reading about each one and seeing how they add humor to the season.
A Country That Loves Christmas Books
One of Iceland’s most charming traditions is something called Jólabókaflóð, or the “Christmas book flood.” Icelanders love reading. All year long, new books get printed in large numbers, but December is when the latest titles are released.
Families buy books for each other as gifts, and bookstores stay busy through the month. People browse shelves, look for new authors, and ask staff for recommendations. There is something warm about flipping through a book in a shop while snow falls outside.
The best part of this tradition happens on Christmas Eve. After dinner and gifts, Icelandic families often settle in with their new books. Adults relax with coffee or cocoa. Children curl up on the couch with their own gifts. Lamps glow, blankets come out, and the whole home becomes a quiet reading space. This peaceful custom is one of Iceland’s most loved holiday moments.
Visitors walking through town late on Christmas Eve often see warm windows with families reading inside. The scene stands out because it shows how central books are to Icelandic life.
Iceland in Mid-December
By the middle of the month, many Icelandic families finish their final shopping. Children talk nonstop about the Yule Lads. Parents prepare for guests or plan meals for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Decorations stay simple: small lights, evergreen branches, soft colors, and natural materials. Iceland doesn’t overdo decorations. Instead, homes focus on warmth and comfort. Even small apartments feel inviting thanks to the lighting and the steady use of candles.
Workplaces often have small gatherings with simple snacks. Schools host concerts where children sing seasonal songs. These concerts bring families together and help mark the closing days of the school year.
When snow falls, it adds to the calm atmosphere. Streets grow quiet, and most people stay home to keep warm. This slower pace makes the season easier to enjoy.
Christmas Eve in Iceland
Christmas Eve is the heart of Iceland’s holiday season. The day begins with final cooking. Each family has its own traditions. Some prepare lamb. Others make fish dishes that have been part of Iceland’s coastal life for many years. Potatoes, red cabbage, and simple sauces often appear at the table.
Homes feel especially warm on this day. Windows glow with candles. Children play quietly or help set the table. Adults finish cooking while talking with relatives or close friends.
Many families attend church in the late afternoon. Churches glow with candles and soft light, giving families a peaceful start to the evening. After the service, they walk back out into the cold air, with snow crunching under their boots, and head home for dinner.
Dinner is long and welcoming. Families talk, laugh, and share stories. The soft light inside contrasts with the dark sky outside. Many visitors say this dinner is one of the most memorable parts of an Icelandic Christmas because it feels calm and sincere.
After dinner comes gifts. Families gather around the tree and take their time opening presents. Children enjoy this part the most, but adults appreciate the gentle pace as well. It gives everyone time to enjoy each gift.
And then, the reading begins. Families open the books they received. Parents settle into chairs. Children stretch out on the couch or rug. Hot drinks are passed around. The home stays quiet except for the sound of pages turning. Snow may fall outside while the family reads inside, making the evening feel almost magical in its simplicity.
Christmas Day and the Days After
Christmas Day in Iceland is slow and quiet. Many families sleep in. Breakfast is simple. Children continue reading their books or playing with new toys. Adults enjoy a calm morning and avoid anything rushed.
Some families take a short walk if the weather allows. The fresh air feels clean, and the snow gives everything a calm look. These walks remind families how peaceful Iceland can be in winter.
Christmas Day meals are usually lighter than Christmas Eve. Some families enjoy leftovers. Others make warm soups or simple dishes. Many homes welcome relatives or close friends for a relaxed visit. Conversations remain easy and enjoyable.
The days between Christmas and New Year follow the same gentle pattern. Schools stay closed. Many workplaces move at a calm pace. Families rest, read, and spend time together indoors. Children play outside when the weather cooperates, building snow shelters or sledding.
New Year’s Eve brings a bit more excitement. Fireworks light up the sky, and families gather again for food and fun. Still, even with the fireworks, Iceland keeps the season friendly and inviting.
Family History and Icelandic Traditions
People studying their family history may find Icelandic habits passed down through generations. Some families kept the Christmas book tradition. Others shared the stories of the Yule Lads. Some continued the custom of opening gifts on Christmas Eve. These traditions traveled with families and became part of their lives wherever they settled.
Christmas in Iceland remains a warm season built on simple traditions, steady gatherings, and small moments shared indoors while snow falls outside. Families look forward to it each year because it gives them time to rest, enjoy each other, and keep customs that have been part of Icelandic life for a long time.
