Áramót - New Years Eve
Fireworks are very popular in Iceland, particularly on New Year's Eve. Bonfires are also very common, often accompanied by shows, musical events and food tables.
Iceland's biggest New Year's Eve events are usually in and around the capital, Reykjavík. Most Icelanders listen to the evening radio broadcast of the mass at Reykjavik's cathedral. This is followed by dinner. Nightclubs in the city are very crowded and tend to stay open until at least 5 am.
Áramótaskaupið ("The New Year's comedy") is an annual Icelandic television comedy special, that is an important part of the New Year for most. It focuses satirically on the past year, and shows little mercy for its victims, especially politicians,
artists, prominent business people and activists. Neighbors then meet at their nearest large bonfire, while watching the midnight fireworks.
Fireworks are very popular in Iceland, particularly on New Year's Eve. Bonfires are also very common, often accompanied by shows, musical events and food tables.
Iceland's biggest New Year's Eve events are usually in and around the capital, Reykjavík. Most Icelanders listen to the evening radio broadcast of the mass at Reykjavik's cathedral. This is followed by dinner. Nightclubs in the city are very crowded and tend to stay open until at least 5 am.
Áramótaskaupið ("The New Year's comedy") is an annual Icelandic television comedy special, that is an important part of the New Year for most. It focuses satirically on the past year, and shows little mercy for its victims, especially politicians,
artists, prominent business people and activists. Neighbors then meet at their nearest large bonfire, while watching the midnight fireworks.
Þrettándinn - Twelfth Night
6 January is celebrated as the last day of Christmas. The occasion is marked by various fireworks displays and bonfires.
6 January is celebrated as the last day of Christmas. The occasion is marked by various fireworks displays and bonfires.
Bóndadagur - Husband's Day
The first day of the ancient Norse month of Thorri begins with bóndadagur, or 'husband's day'. On this day, which usually falls in late January, women give gifts to any significant men in their lives, and often feed them traditional food, related to the Thorri festivites.
The first day of the ancient Norse month of Thorri begins with bóndadagur, or 'husband's day'. On this day, which usually falls in late January, women give gifts to any significant men in their lives, and often feed them traditional food, related to the Thorri festivites.
Þorrablót - Thorrablot
Roughly coinciding with mid-January to mid-February in the modern calendar, the ancient month of Thorri is the time for Thorrablót, or Thorri feast. Traditional foods, conserved in the traditional manner, are consumed and most Icelanders attend at least one Thorrablót feast, where there is much merriment and drink. The cuisine is definitely an acquired taste; delicacies include smoked lamb, seared lamb’s head, putrefied shark, ram’s testicles and flatbread, all washed down with Icelandic spirits.
Roughly coinciding with mid-January to mid-February in the modern calendar, the ancient month of Thorri is the time for Thorrablót, or Thorri feast. Traditional foods, conserved in the traditional manner, are consumed and most Icelanders attend at least one Thorrablót feast, where there is much merriment and drink. The cuisine is definitely an acquired taste; delicacies include smoked lamb, seared lamb’s head, putrefied shark, ram’s testicles and flatbread, all washed down with Icelandic spirits.
Konudagur
The month of Thorri comes to an end with 'wife's day', a day to celebrate women. This time men do the treating, buying flowers or other traditional gifts for the significant women in their lives.
The month of Thorri comes to an end with 'wife's day', a day to celebrate women. This time men do the treating, buying flowers or other traditional gifts for the significant women in their lives.
Bolludagur
The tradition of culinary excess during winter continues with bolludagur – literally, bun day – which occurs two days before Lent and symbolises the feast before the fast. Bakeries and home chefs prepare sweet cream puffs filled with cream and jam and drizzled with chocolate. It’s impossible to eat just one.
The tradition of culinary excess during winter continues with bolludagur – literally, bun day – which occurs two days before Lent and symbolises the feast before the fast. Bakeries and home chefs prepare sweet cream puffs filled with cream and jam and drizzled with chocolate. It’s impossible to eat just one.
Sprengidagur
Following the indulgence of bun day comes sprengidagur – bursting day. It is celebrated on Shrove Tuesday when heavily salted lamb is consumed with a side serving of pea soup. Traditionally, Icelanders were encouraged to eat to bursting point, during what would be their last proper meal before Lent.
Following the indulgence of bun day comes sprengidagur – bursting day. It is celebrated on Shrove Tuesday when heavily salted lamb is consumed with a side serving of pea soup. Traditionally, Icelanders were encouraged to eat to bursting point, during what would be their last proper meal before Lent.
Öskudagur
Ash Wednesday is mostly celebrated by children in Iceland. Traditionally ashes were collected into small ash bags. The challenge was to then pin the bag onto innocent passersby. Today children celebrate the day by dressing up in costumes and singing in shops for sweets and treats, a little like Hallowe’en celebrations.
Ash Wednesday is mostly celebrated by children in Iceland. Traditionally ashes were collected into small ash bags. The challenge was to then pin the bag onto innocent passersby. Today children celebrate the day by dressing up in costumes and singing in shops for sweets and treats, a little like Hallowe’en celebrations.
Páskadagur - Easter
A religious holiday in Iceland and marked by the giving and receiving of large chocolate eggs filled with sweets. There are national holidays on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and Easter Monday. Most Icelandic children in their 14th year are confirmed during the Easter period.
A religious holiday in Iceland and marked by the giving and receiving of large chocolate eggs filled with sweets. There are national holidays on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and Easter Monday. Most Icelandic children in their 14th year are confirmed during the Easter period.
Sumardagurinn fyrsti
In First Day of Summer is celebrated in Iceland with a holiday on the third Thursday in April. Traditionally, the weather is anything but summery.
In First Day of Summer is celebrated in Iceland with a holiday on the third Thursday in April. Traditionally, the weather is anything but summery.
Sjómannadagur
This holiday is dedicated to Iceland’s seamen and is celebrated on the first Sunday in June with displays of fish and fun and games for the kids in most communities around the country.
This holiday is dedicated to Iceland’s seamen and is celebrated on the first Sunday in June with displays of fish and fun and games for the kids in most communities around the country.
Þjóðhátíðardagur Íslands - Icelandic National Day June 17th
is an annual holiday in Iceland which commemorates the foundation of The Republic of Iceland on 17 June 1944 and its independence from Danish rule. The date was chosen to coincide with the birthday of Jón Sigurðsson, a major figure of Icelandic culture and the leader of the 20th century Icelandic independence movement.
is an annual holiday in Iceland which commemorates the foundation of The Republic of Iceland on 17 June 1944 and its independence from Danish rule. The date was chosen to coincide with the birthday of Jón Sigurðsson, a major figure of Icelandic culture and the leader of the 20th century Icelandic independence movement.
Jónsmessa
Midsummer Night, The longest day of the year, is endowed with great mystical powers. According to Icelandic folklore cows gain the power of speech for the night, and seals can take a human form. Surely a treacherous time agical things are said to take place on this evening, including rumours that cows can speak!
Midsummer Night, The longest day of the year, is endowed with great mystical powers. According to Icelandic folklore cows gain the power of speech for the night, and seals can take a human form. Surely a treacherous time agical things are said to take place on this evening, including rumours that cows can speak!
Verslunarmannahelgi
This bank holiday, the first Monday in August, celebrates shopkeepers and other merchants. Numerous outdoor festivals take place around the country, and many people leave the capital area for a weekend at their summerhouses or camping.
This bank holiday, the first Monday in August, celebrates shopkeepers and other merchants. Numerous outdoor festivals take place around the country, and many people leave the capital area for a weekend at their summerhouses or camping.
Dagur Íslenskrar tungu
The Icelandic language day is celebrated on 16 November, the birthday of 19th-century writer Jónas Hallgrímsson, to symbolise the importance of protecting the Icelandic language.
The Icelandic language day is celebrated on 16 November, the birthday of 19th-century writer Jónas Hallgrímsson, to symbolise the importance of protecting the Icelandic language.
Independence Day
Not to be confused with the official Independence Day on 17 June, this is celebrated on 1 December, to recognise Iceland’s declaration of independence from Denmark in 1918. It is not an official holiday.
Not to be confused with the official Independence Day on 17 June, this is celebrated on 1 December, to recognise Iceland’s declaration of independence from Denmark in 1918. It is not an official holiday.
Þorláksmessa
23 December is St. Þorlákur's Day, when Icelanders eat putrefied skate to symbolise what was traditionally the end of the Christmas fast. Shops are also open very late for the many who leave their Christmas buying frenzy until the last minute. For many, this signifies the beginning of Christmas.
It is celebrated by eating fermented skate with potatoes, rye bread, crackling and melted tallow.
23 December is St. Þorlákur's Day, when Icelanders eat putrefied skate to symbolise what was traditionally the end of the Christmas fast. Shops are also open very late for the many who leave their Christmas buying frenzy until the last minute. For many, this signifies the beginning of Christmas.
It is celebrated by eating fermented skate with potatoes, rye bread, crackling and melted tallow.
Jól - Christmas
Christmas is celebrated on the eve of the 24th promptly at 6 o'clock in the evening.
Traditional dishes include ptarmigan, smoked lamb or smoked pork and pickled red cabbage. Presents are opened after Christmas dinner, which is a fairly formal affair. Icelanders decorate the interior and exterior of their houses extensively, in an effort to brighten up the dark winter days and nights.
Christmas is celebrated on the eve of the 24th promptly at 6 o'clock in the evening.
Traditional dishes include ptarmigan, smoked lamb or smoked pork and pickled red cabbage. Presents are opened after Christmas dinner, which is a fairly formal affair. Icelanders decorate the interior and exterior of their houses extensively, in an effort to brighten up the dark winter days and nights.