Christmas in Iceland,  12. December - 6. January

Christmas traditions in Iceland is worth the experience. The Icelandic Christmas culture is loaded with native old Icelandic traditions. Iceland is a real treat for children at Christmas when no less than 13 Santa Clauses (jólasveinn) come to town bearing food and gifts on Christmas Eve. Each of the santa clauses has its own name, character and role. Their parents are Grýla, a mean old woman who drags off naughty children, and Leppalúði, who is not as mean. There is also a tradition known as "Shoe in the Window" that begins on the evening of December first when all the children in Iceland place their best shoe in their bedroom window before they go to sleep. If' they have been good that day, they  receive a special treat in their shoe from Santa Clause. This continues every day until Christmas. Other than these customs the holiday is celebrated in much the same way as elsewhere around the world with the exchange of gifts and a festive meal, often ptarmigan, a game bird, or smoked lamb, eaten on Christmas Eve.
The mass day of St. Thorlakur (Thorlaksmessa) is celebrated on 23rd of December. Shops are open until 23:30 and then close for three days during Christmas. Many attend midnight mass. The Christmas season lasts 26 days.

Twelve Days of Christmas - Þrettándinn, January 6.
This day marks the end of the Christmas season. Bonfires during Christmastime in IcelandThe Christmas holiday season ends on January 6, with a special celebration of the Twelfth Night. This is when elves and trolls come out and celebrate with the Icelanders, dancing and singing. On this day, the festivities of New Year's Eve (bonfires and firework show) are repeated in smaller extend all over Iceland.

Whats on in Reykjavik in February and March

Reykjavik is sparkling with life during the dark days up in the arctic circle and lots of interest...

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