24 December – Aðfangadagur (Christmas Eve)
This is the day Icelanders celebrate Christmas. Shops, cafés and swimming pools in Reykjavík stay open until 12 pm or 2 pm. Museums, however, are closed, apart from the Settlement Exhibition (9-2pm) and the National Museum (10-12pm).
25 December – Jóladagur (Christmas Day)
Businesses are closed on Christmas Day, a day generally spent in relaxation. Buses do not run on this day but taxi services are available.
Some restaurants are open for business on Christmas Day, including Ali Baba, American Bar, Bambus, BSÍ Bistro, Café París, Hamborgarabúllan, Kaffi Nauthóll, Kjallarinn, Lækjarbrekka, Mar, Public House, Red Chili, Skólabrú, Steikhúsið, Scandinavian, Torfan and all hotel restaurants.
26 December – Annar í jólum (Boxing Day)
Most restaurants and cafés are open for business on Boxing Day. This is also a massive day for fans of the English Premiere League! Sports bars will of course be open to accommodate all those fans, including Bjarni Fel (named after sports announcer and former football player Bjarni Felixson), the English Pub, Lebowski bar, located on Reykjavík’s main street, Laugavegur, Danska kráin on Ingólfsstræti and Ölver at Álfheimar.
31 December – Gamlársdagur (New Year’s Eve)
American Bar, Bambus, Apótek, BSÍ Bistro, Caruso, Dill Restaurant, Einar Ben, Fish Company, Hverfisgata 12, Sólon, Kjallarinn, Kol, Ítalía, Kopar, Lækjarbrekka, Mar, Road House, Sjávargrillið, Skólabrú, Steikhúsið, Sushi Samba, Tapasbarinn and all hotel restaurants will serve dinner on New Year‘s Eve.
Don‘t forget to attend one of ten communal bonfires organised all over Reykjavík. The fires are lit at 8.30 pm. Traditionally, the fireworks display begins at around 11.30 pm and lasts roughly an hour.
1.January – Nýársdagur (New Year’s Day)
Sjósundsfélag Reykjavíkur (Reykjavík Sea Swimming Association) organises an annual fancy dress dip in Nauthólsvík bay on New Year’s Day. The popular event begins at noon, 12 pm.
Many restaurants and bars are open for business on New Year’s Day. A full list is available here.
6. January – Þrettándinn ( Feast of the Epiphany)
This is the last day of Christmas, and the day that the Yule Lads head back to their homes in the mountains. The festivities end with communal bonfires where humans, Yule Lads, elves, trolls, and imps all come together for festive song and dance and formally bid farewell to Christmas.
24 December – Aðfangadagur (Christmas Eve)
This is the day Icelanders celebrate Christmas. Shops, cafés and swimming pools in Reykjavík stay open until 12 pm or 2 pm. Museums, however, are closed, apart from the Settlement Exhibition (9-2pm) and the National Museum (10-12pm).
25 December – Jóladagur (Christmas Day)
Businesses are closed on Christmas Day, a day generally spent in relaxation. Buses do not run on this day but taxi services are available.
Some restaurants are open for business on Christmas Day, including Ali Baba, American Bar, Bambus, BSÍ Bistro, Café París, Hamborgarabúllan, Kaffi Nauthóll, Kjallarinn, Lækjarbrekka, Mar, Public House, Red Chili, Skólabrú, Steikhúsið, Scandinavian, Torfan and all hotel restaurants.
26 December – Annar í jólum (Boxing Day)
Most restaurants and cafés are open for business on Boxing Day. This is also a massive day for fans of the English Premiere League! Sports bars will of course be open to accommodate all those fans, including Bjarni Fel (named after sports announcer and former football player Bjarni Felixson), the English Pub, Lebowski bar, located on Reykjavík’s main street, Laugavegur, Danska kráin on Ingólfsstræti and Ölver at Álfheimar.
31 December – Gamlársdagur (New Year’s Eve)
American Bar, Bambus, Apótek, BSÍ Bistro, Caruso, Dill Restaurant, Einar Ben, Fish Company, Hverfisgata 12, Sólon, Kjallarinn, Kol, Ítalía, Kopar, Lækjarbrekka, Mar, Road House, Sjávargrillið, Skólabrú, Steikhúsið, Sushi Samba, Tapasbarinn and all hotel restaurants will serve dinner on New Year‘s Eve.
Don‘t forget to attend one of ten communal bonfires organised all over Reykjavík. The fires are lit at 8.30 pm. Traditionally, the fireworks display begins at around 11.30 pm and lasts roughly an hour.
1.January – Nýársdagur (New Year’s Day)
Sjósundsfélag Reykjavíkur (Reykjavík Sea Swimming Association) organises an annual fancy dress dip in Nauthólsvík bay on New Year’s Day. The popular event begins at noon, 12 pm.
Many restaurants and bars are open for business on New Year’s Day. A full list is available here.
6. January – Þrettándinn ( Feast of the Epiphany)
This is the last day of Christmas, and the day that the Yule Lads head back to their homes in the mountains. The festivities end with communal bonfires where humans, Yule Lads, elves, trolls, and imps all come together for festive song and dance and formally bid farewell to Christmas.
