For Reykjavík locals the view the lighting of the Christmas tree on Austurvöllur squere in downtown Reykjavík as a symbol of the onset of the holiday season in the Capital. Families with small children and others who get excited about the holidays gather downtown to witness the moment, listen to Christmas tunes and greet the Jule lads, jólasveinar, some of whom always show up for the occasion.
(Strictly speaking the first Yule lad comes down from the mountains where they live on December 12, but they seem to have reached a special arrangement with the city of Reykjavík to send a representative or a small delegation to celebrate the beginning of the holday season in Reykjavík.)
See photos from the 2015 Christmas tree lighting: The Oslo Christmas tree in Austurvöllur lit for the first time on Sunday
The City of Oslo, the capital of Norway, has gifted Reykjavík with a Christmas tree since 1951, as a sign of the strong friendship and ties between the two nations. This year's tree is 12 meters (40 feet) tall. Although it is gifted by the city of Oslo the tree is actually grown in Iceland. Reykjavík city and the municipal authorities of Oslo decided that since shipping a Christmas tree across the Atlantic left an unreasonably large carbon footprint and perfectly good Christmas trees could be found in Iceland it made more sense to use an Icelandic tree.
The festivities begin at 15:30 on Saturday. There will be hot coco and coffee, and several Jule lads will greet both adults and children.
Reykjavík's Brass Band will also entertain guests with Christmas carols.
For Reykjavík locals the view the lighting of the Christmas tree on Austurvöllur squere in downtown Reykjavík as a symbol of the onset of the holiday season in the Capital. Families with small children and others who get excited about the holidays gather downtown to witness the moment, listen to Christmas tunes and greet the Jule lads, jólasveinar, some of whom always show up for the occasion.
(Strictly speaking the first Yule lad comes down from the mountains where they live on December 12, but they seem to have reached a special arrangement with the city of Reykjavík to send a representative or a small delegation to celebrate the beginning of the holday season in Reykjavík.)
See photos from the 2015 Christmas tree lighting: The Oslo Christmas tree in Austurvöllur lit for the first time on Sunday
The City of Oslo, the capital of Norway, has gifted Reykjavík with a Christmas tree since 1951, as a sign of the strong friendship and ties between the two nations. This year's tree is 12 meters (40 feet) tall. Although it is gifted by the city of Oslo the tree is actually grown in Iceland. Reykjavík city and the municipal authorities of Oslo decided that since shipping a Christmas tree across the Atlantic left an unreasonably large carbon footprint and perfectly good Christmas trees could be found in Iceland it made more sense to use an Icelandic tree.
The festivities begin at 15:30 on Saturday. There will be hot coco and coffee, and several Jule lads will greet both adults and children.
Reykjavík's Brass Band will also entertain guests with Christmas carols.
