This is a practical, stylish and up-to-the-minute guide to spending Christmas in Reykjavik, 2025: what to do, what to taste, and how to get the most out of a holiday that pairs ancient sagas and mischievous Yule lore with modern concerts, craft markets and the easy ritual of hot baths.
There’s a special kind of hush in Reykjavík in December: not the blanketing silence of untouched snow so much as the pause between breaths that comes when a whole city leans into ritual.
Lights bloom along Laugavegur and Skólavörðustígur; Harpa’s faceted glass catches the dusk and fractures it into a scattered aurora; wooden stalls steam with spiced wine and roasted almonds.
The capital of Iceland during Christmas is compact, theatrical and unexpectedly cozy — the kind of place where an afternoon’s walk through a market can feel like a miniature pilgrimage.
Table of Contents
Why Reykjavík Works for a Christmas Trip
Reykjavík’s small scale is its superpower. The city’s core is eminently walkable; museums, shops and cafés cluster within comfortable distances, which is ideal in short winter daylight.
Icelanders lavish attention on Advent: the city’s public squares and halls host weekend markets and family concerts throughout December, and municipal decorations — from the Oslo Christmas tree traditionally lit to kick off the season to the playful “Christmas creatures” installations — make the downtown feel like a community stage.
For travelers who want a holiday that’s intimate rather than frantic, Reykjavík is hard to beat.
The Markets: Where to Eat, Sip and Treasure-Hunt
If you imagine a European Christmas market transplanted into the North Atlantic, Reykjavík delivers a scaled-down, high-quality version: stalls focus on artisanal crafts — hand-knit woolens, glass, ceramics and local design — and food that reads Icelandic but comforts like home.
Austurvöllur square (next to the Parliament) and the Ingólfstorg area are the city’s most reliable spots for weekend markets that run through Advent and peak in the final weeks before Christmas.
These markets operate on a weekend schedule in early and mid-December with longer hours in the final shopping days before December 24; they’re where locals come for glögg (mulled wine), roasted almonds and stands selling smoked salmon, pickled goodies and tiny design objects to fill under-the-tree lists.
If you time it right — later afternoons into early evenings — you’ll find the plaza lit and lively as families glide by with hot cups and new purchases.
Practical tip: bring a reusable cup. Many markets support the city’s move to reduce single-use waste, and vendors are happy to refill a sturdy thermos.
Music & Culture: Harpa and the City’s Advent Pulse
One of Reykjavík’s great Christmas pleasures is the musical calendar. Harpa Concert Hall programs family-friendly concerts and the Iceland Symphony Orchestra’s Advent and Christmas performances are perennially popular.
Expect a mix of classic carols, orchestral staples (including Corelli’s “Christmas Concerto” in previous seasons) and seasonal family programming that fills Harpa in the weeks leading to December 24.
Buying tickets early is wise — these concerts sell out quickly for locals and visitors alike.
Beyond Harpa, churches and smaller venues host candlelit concerts and choral evenings. If you want the particular hush of Icelandic Advent singing, check local listings: pop-up rehearsals and community choir performances are part of the city’s fabric in December.
Harpa’s public spaces also often host free seasonal programming — installations, family tours and small performances — making it an architectural and cultural anchor for holiday visitors.
The Folklore That Makes Reykjavík Feel Like Storybook Christmas
Iceland’s holiday calendar is threaded with folklore.
The Yule Lads — thirteen mischievous characters who visit in the nights leading up to Christmas — are playful and local, and their roguish presence appears in everything from children’s socks to public decorations.
You’ll see nods to Grýla and the Yule Cat in displays around town; the city leans into these tales with light-hearted installations and storytelling events that are perfect for families or anyone who appreciates a bit of myth with their mulled wine.
Allow yourself to meet the story beneath the lights; it’s part of what gives Reykjavík its distinctive holiday mood.
Eat Like a Reykjavík Local (Seasonal Musts)
Christmas in Iceland tastes of smoke, spice and preservation. At markets and restaurants you’ll encounter:
- Plokkfiskur — a warm, satisfying fish stew, perfect for blustery evenings.
- Smoked lamb (hangikjöt) — a holiday staple in many homes and on seasonal menus.
- Rúgbrauð — dense rye bread traditionally baked in geothermal ground or steamed; try it with butter and smoked fish.
- Icelandic Christmas candy and kleinur — deep-fried, sugar-glazed treats that pair brilliantly with a strong coffee.
Reserve at least one evening for a proper Icelandic Christmas buffet if your travel dates align with local holiday meals: many hotels and restaurants run festive menus in December.
Markets are your best bet for immediate, walk-and-eat discoveries — and they’re a good place to test glögg and small seasonal bites before committing to a restaurant feast. (And yes: Icelanders do love their desserts. Pack an appetite.)
Warmth: Baths, Lagoons, and Where to Thaw
No Reykjavík winter visit is complete without a soak.
The city has public geothermal pools with hot tubs, saunas and steam rooms — Laugardalslaug is the largest and a local favorite — and then there are the celebrated lagoons just outside the city: the Blue Lagoon remains the most famous (book in advance), and Sky Lagoon near Kópavogur offers an ocean-edge experience with a ritualistic seven-step relaxation ritual.
Evening soaks under a cold sky, potentially with the aurora overhead, are quietly magical. Bookings fill in December, so secure spots early.
Day Trips You Can Do from Reykjavík over Christmas
If your stay allows a day away from the city, these options are realistic even in winter:
- Golden Circle — Þingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss can be visited as short, guided trips from Reykjavík; light snow can add drama to these landscapes.
- South coast waterfalls and black sand — a longer day but doable for a packed itinerary, with Seljalandsfoss and Skógafoss often framed by winter light.
- Northern Lights tours — December’s long nights increase aurora chance, but remember: sightings are never guaranteed and depend on solar activity and cloud cover.
For safety and convenience, go with experienced winter operators who provide winter tires, experienced drivers and local weather-aware routing.
If you want to chase auroras, choose a flexible evening with good cloud forecasts and remain patient — the best sightings often come after midnight. (Tip: Reykjavík’s harbor and the hills above the city give surprisingly good urban aurora vantage points when conditions align.)
Practicalities: Daylight, Weather and Getting Around
Daylight: Expect short days. In late December, Reykjavík has roughly three to five hours of usable daylight, so plan outdoor activities accordingly.
Weather: Winter weather is changeable: bring layers, waterproof outerwear and sturdy, grippy boots. Streets may be icy; a little traction goes a long way.
Transport: The city’s public buses and taxis run through December (though some services run reduced schedules on December 24–26). Downtown is compact and friendly to walking, and many attractions are within short rides. If you rent a car for day trips, ensure it is winter-equipped.
Where to Stay (Zones That Work)
City center (around Laugavegur / Skólavörðustígur): For nightlife, markets and restaurants within walking distance.
Harbour / Old Harbour: Great for Harpa, whale-watching departures and a quieter waterfront vibe.
Vesturbær / West Reykjavík: A residential option with easy access and local cafés — good for longer stays.
Book early: hotels and apartments fill quickly for the holiday weeks, especially the last two weeks of December and New Year’s.
A Few Sensible Cautions
Holiday closures: Many shops and some restaurants close for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Plan a grocery run or a special meal reservation in advance if your stay spans these dates.
Northern Lights expectations: They are a possibility, not a promise — dress warmly and be prepared for late hours if chasing them.
Sustainability: Reykjavík is actively reducing waste and encouraging low-impact tourism; bring a reusable mug and a small shopping bag.
A Final, Festive Rhythm
Christmas in Reykjavík is at once a city’s civic pageant and a family’s quiet tradition.
It’s where modern design sensibilities meet centuries-old stories — where you can listen to a symphony in a glass pavilion, buy a hand-knit wool mitten from an artist who grew up telling tales of the Yule Lads, and end the evening in a geothermal pool under a hard, cold sky.
If you go with patient curiosity, you’ll find the city’s warmth is not just thermal but cultural: an easy, generous hospitality that turns the long winter into something singularly luminous.
For up-to-date event listings and exact market weekends, check Reykjavík’s official event pages and Harpa’s concert schedule before you go — dates and programming for weekend markets and seasonal concerts are published each autumn and updated through December.