Festivals and Traditions
Icelandic festivals combine Christian traditions, ancient customs and modern celebrations. Many of the traditions are unique to Iceland – such as having thirteen Yule Lads, eating cream buns on Bun Day and seeing out the old year with bonfires and fireworks.
The calendar year
| Festival | When | Customs |
|---|---|---|
| Þrettándinn (Twelfth Night) | 6 January | Christmas ends, bonfires and elf dances |
| Þorri and Þorrablót | late January and February | Þorramatur, singing and entertainment |
| Bóndadagur (Husband's Day) | first day of Þorri | Women treat their husbands |
| Konudagur (Woman's Day) | first day of Góa | Men give women flowers |
| Bolludagur (Bun Day) | Monday before Lent | Cream buns and decorated sticks |
| Sprengidagur (Bursting Day) | Tuesday before Lent | Salted lamb and split pea soup |
| Öskudagur (Ash Wednesday) | Wednesday before Lent | Children dress up and sing for sweets |
| Easter | spring | Chocolate Easter eggs with a proverb inside |
| First Day of Summer | Thursday after 18 April | Parades and summer gifts |
| Seamen's Day | first Sunday in June | Seafarers are celebrated |
| 17 June | National Day | Celebrations all over the country |
| Merchants' Weekend | first weekend in August | Outdoor festivals and travel |
| Culture Night | around 18 August | Cultural festival in Reykjavík |
| Icelandic Language Day | 16 November | Celebrating the Icelandic language |
| 1 December | Sovereignty Day | Celebrating sovereignty in 1918 |
| Christmas | 24–26 December | A festival of light and peace |
| New Year's Eve | 31 December | Bonfires, the comedy show Áramótaskaup and fireworks |
Christmas and the thirteen Yule Lads
The Icelandic Yule Lads (jólasveinar) were originally not kindly gift-bringers but mischievous troll boys, the sons of Grýla and Leppalúði. They come to town one by one on the last thirteen nights before Christmas and then return home one a day from Christmas Day until Twelfth Night. Children put a shoe on the windowsill and receive a small gift in it – or a potato if they have been naughty.
- Stekkjarstaur (Sheep-Cote Clod) – 12 December
- Giljagaur (Gully Gawk) – 13 December
- Stúfur (Stubby) – 14 December
- Þvörusleikir (Spoon-Licker) – 15 December
- Pottaskefill (Pot-Scraper) – 16 December
- Askasleikir (Bowl-Licker) – 17 December
- Hurðaskellir (Door-Slammer) – 18 December
- Skyrgámur (Skyr-Gobbler) – 19 December
- Bjúgnakrækir (Sausage-Swiper) – 20 December
- Gluggagægir (Window-Peeper) – 21 December
- Gáttaþefur (Doorway-Sniffer) – 22 December
- Ketkrókur (Meat-Hook) – 23 December
- Kertasníkir (Candle-Stealer) – 24 December
Their mother, Grýla, is a terrifying troll woman who eats naughty children, and the Christmas Cat (jólakötturinn) eats those who do not get a new piece of clothing for Christmas. Jóhannes úr Kötlum wrote popular poems about the Yule Lads that most children know by heart.
The Christmas book flood
Icelanders give books as Christmas presents more than almost any other nation. Publishers release most new books in the autumn, and a catalogue of new books is sent to every home. On Christmas Eve it is a tradition to read the new book late into the night.
17 June – National Day
National Day is held on the birthday of Jón Sigurðsson and the anniversary of the founding of the republic. In Reykjavík the day begins with a ceremony at Austurvöllur, where the Mountain Woman (fjallkonan) recites a poem and the prime minister gives a speech. Then there are parades, entertainment and street festivities. Children get balloons and flags, and sweets and candyfloss are sold everywhere.
New Year's Eve
On New Year's Eve people gather at bonfires. Late in the evening the comedy show Áramótaskaupið is broadcast on television, and almost the whole nation watches. At midnight fireworks fill the sky over the entire country, and a large share of the proceeds from firework sales goes to the volunteer search and rescue teams.
Frequently asked questions
How many Yule Lads are there in Iceland?
There are thirteen, and they come to town one a day from 12 December to Christmas Eve.
When is Bun Day?
Bun Day (Bolludagur) is the Monday seven weeks before Easter, two days before Ash Wednesday.
What is Þorrablót?
Þorrablót is a midwinter feast in January and February where people eat þorramatur, sing and celebrate.