Where are Christmas markets in Reykjavik? What happens at Christmas markets in Iceland? Find the best Christmas markets in Reykjavik here.
Annual Christmas markets have, for the longest time, been a popular attraction all over Europe. People flock to snowy countries with tall mountains in search of wooden cabins, snow-covered pine trees, and mulled wine to find the perfect Christmas spirit.
It might then come as a surprise that markets are not at all common in Iceland. The population is just too small to make a regular market thrive. The only longstanding market in Reykjavik that's open all year long is the Kolaportid Fleamarket.
But that's all changing, and pop-up markets are happening all over the city! Anyone visiting Iceland in December will be able to visit and experience several markets across Reykjavik.
For your information, the Icelandic Advent begins 4 Sundays before Christmas Day. During this period, there are dozens of pop-up one-day markets to visit. Additionally, there are numerous Christmas buffets and live Christmas concerts all over town.
- See also: Christmas & New Year's in Iceland
Key Takeaways
- There are several annual Christmas markets located around Reykjavik, each with their own unique activities.
- In addition to Reykjavik's lively Christmas markets, you can find many other places and sights to enjoy around the capital.
- Explore top-rated Christmas vacation packages to enjoy alongside your visits to Iceland's Christmas markets.
Ice Skating on Ingolfstorg Square | The Classic Christmas Market
Picture by Óli Haukur Mýrdal
Alpine-like wooden huts, Christmas lights twinkling above, and an ice rink right in between — the perfect Christmas picture! For a few years now, a man-made ice rink has been put up on Ingolfstorg Square, right in the middle of downtown Reykjavik. The telephone company Nova puts the ice rink up and rents out ice skates and helmets.
Of course, you can spend your time soaking up the atmosphere without having to put on any skates. There is Christmas music playing, the smell of roasted almonds in the air, and a positive air of festivity all around. The festivities extend through the connecting Austurstraeti Street and Austurvollur Square, so you'll want to explore the surrounding area as well!
Christmas Market Opening Times:
Weekends between November 30th and December 15th: 1 PM - 8 PM.
December 19th - 20th: 4 PM - 8 PM.
December 21st - 22nd: 12 PM - 9 PM.
December 23rd: 2 PM - 11 PM.
Austurvollur Christmas Market | A Festive Space
The public square Austurvollur in central Reykjavik hosts a traditional Christmas market each December. At the Austurvollur Christmas Market, you can shop for handmade crafts, seasonal foods, and local gifts.
This outdoor Christmas market in Iceland features decorated wooden stalls, twinkling lights, and festive music. The charming setting creates a cozy and authentic experience in the heart of the capital.
Christmas Village in Hafnarfjordur | The Big Christmas Market
Hafnarfjordur is a suburban town next to Reykjavik, known for being the town of elves, the town of lava and for their annual Viking Village celebrations. But they are also known for being the town of Christmas!
Of course, elves and trolls are closely related to Christmas traditions in Iceland, so it's fitting that the town takes on a big Christmas theme each year.
There's been a Christmas market in the town for over 20 years, which makes it the longest-running one in the Capital Region. Expect Christmas huts selling all sorts of biscuits, cookies, hot drinks, local handicrafts, and festive decorations. There's live music and other live entertainment to enjoy as well!
A recent addition to the festivities is the Hjartasvellid ice rink in town, which you can find next to the library. It's open all weekends until Christmas, from 4 PM to 9 PM on Thursdays and Fridays, from 12 PM to 9 PM on Saturdays, and from 12 PM to 7 PM on Sundays.
Also, make sure to take the time to visit Hellisgerdi Park. It's a short walk from the main square and transforms when adorned with Christmas lights!
Christmas Market Opening Times:
Open all weekends from November 15th.
Every Friday from 5 PM to 8 PM
Every Saturday and Sunday from 1 PM to 6 PM
Inside the Heidmork Forest | The Natural Christmas Market
Right on the outskirts of Reykjavik is a beautiful nature reserve called Heidmork. Surrounded by a small forest, snow, and beautiful scenery, you can enjoy a Christmas market each weekend during Advent in a tranquil area.
Expect live music, reading from books by Icelandic authors, a children's corner with entertainment, local handicrafts for sale — and, of course, you can buy your Christmas tree here. The Christmas tree sale is sustainable and eco-friendly, conducted by the Reykjavik Forest Service.
Christmas Market Opening Times:
Every Advent weekend from 12 PM to 5 PM.
Christmas at Arbaer Open Air Museum | The Traditional Christmas Market
Picture from Árbær Open Air Museum
If you want to learn how Icelanders used to celebrate Christmas a few decades or even centuries ago, then be sure to head to the Arbaer Open Air Museum. It's a great museum to visit any time of year, but they put on an additional Christmas program during the holiday season.
Try your hand at knitting, crafting some Christmas decorations, or cutting out patterns in a traditional leaf bread. Have a taste of the traditional Skate (normally eaten on the 23rd of December). Moreover, you can enjoy the smoked lamb (Hangikjöt), which is often served as Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, or learn how to make candles.
Just make sure they don't get stolen by Kertasníkir. He's one of the 13 Icelandic Yule Lads that may be hanging out in the area!
You can also buy some handicrafts and confectionery or simply sing and dance around a Christmas tree.
Christmas Opening Times:
The Christmas program takes place on the first three Sundays of Advent.
Christmas Forest in Reykjavik City Hall | The Indoor Wonderland
The Reykjavik City Hall in downtown Reykjavik is not just where the offices of the mayor of Reykjavik are, as it also hosts various events such as art exhibitions, functions, and live music. During Christmas, the Tjarnarsalur hall (The Lake Room) gets decorated for Christmas, creating a fantastical Christmas forest in the month of December. There's also an enchanting view of the Tjornin Lake just outside.
Every year, different local artists are trusted to create a beautiful festive space that's worth visiting, especially if the weather outside is particularly cold. It's a nice indoor option to get in the Christmas spirit.
Christmas Valley in Laugardalur | The Valley of Lights
Beautiful Christmas lights have been installed all over the park of Laugardalur, making it a great place to go for a walk, especially during the dark days of December. From Friday to Sunday, from 5 PM to 8 PM, people can visit the Christmasland in the valley. While there, they can take a ride on the colorful carousel. Nearby, you will find the Reykjavik Botanical Garden, where you can explore Icelandic winter flora or visit the Reykjavik Family Park and Zoo.
Hjartartorg Christmas Market | Market in the Heart of the City
Accessible from Laugavegur Street, you will find the Christmas market at Hjartartorg Ssquare. There, you'll find a wide selection of various vendors with small goods, delicious food, and other Christmassy things for sale.
Other Things You Can Do and See As You Visit Reykjavik's Christmas Markets
During your time in Reykjavik, there's far more than just Christmas markets to enjoy. With countless sights to see, food to try, and tours to have, you'll have plenty of options to choose from.
Reykjavik Christmas Walking Tour
This Christmas walking tour in Reykjavik offers a guided exploration of the city's holiday traditions and decorations. On this tour, you'll visit decorated landmarks, learn about Icelandic folklore, and enjoy seasonal treats.
Guides share stories about the 13 Yule Lads, Iceland’s unique holiday figures. The tour is an ideal way to discover Reykjavik's Christmas markets while hearing about the country's customs.
Icelandic Christmas Book Flood
Icelanders love to read books and especially love to give them as presents to loved ones during Christmas. What's more, they also love writing them — more books are published per capita in the land of ice and fire than in any other country!
There's also a tradition called the Christmas Book Flood, known as "Jolabokaflodid." This stems from the fact that Christmas is the main publishing season in Iceland, when new books quite literally flood the market.
Every December, bookstores across Reykjavik host events celebrating the release of new books. You can join locals in browsing titles and purchasing books as gifts for Christmas Eve reading. It's a nice seasonal activity to enjoy alongside your visits to Reykjavik's Christmas markets.
Oslo Tree Lighting
The Oslo Tree Lighting takes place in the public square Austurvollur and celebrates the friendship between Iceland and Norway. Since 1951, the city of Oslo has given a Christmas tree to Reykjavik. While the tree once came all the way from Norway, it now originates from the Heidmork Nature Reserve.
You can attend the official lighting ceremony, which includes live music and holiday speeches. The event is an excellent way to start the Reykjavik Christmas Market season!
The Christmas Cat
The Christmas Yule Cat, or Jolakotturinn, is a mythical creature from Icelandic folklore. This large, fearsome cat is said to eat anyone who does not receive new clothes before Christmas. You can learn about the Yule Cat at various Christmas markets in Reykjavik — there's even a seasonal Christmas Cat sculpture on display at Leakjatorg Square during the holiday season.
Look out for surprise entertainment events throughout December taking place around Reykjavik, bringing a jolly festive cheer for all. Check out these Christmas vacation packages in Iceland to start planning your holiday season:
- Amazing 5-Day Northern Lights Winter Vacation Package in Iceland with Ice Caving & the Blue Lagoon — Discover the relaxing Blue Lagoon, majestic ice caves, and more on this memorable 5-day vacation package.
- 6-Day Northern Lights Adventure Package in Iceland with Ice Caving — Explore Iceland's South Coast, Golden Circle, and more during this adventure package.
- Small Group 4-Day Northern Lights Winter Vacation Package with Golden Circle & South Coast — This 4-day package includes Iceland's top attractions, mesmerizing sights, and raises your chances of seeing the magical northern lights.
We hope everybody has a wonderful time during Christmas in Iceland, and as we say in Icelandic, Gleðileg jól!
