Visiting Iceland Over Christmas & New Year’s: What to expect?

The Icelandic Holiday Rhythm

For visitors, this means a more peaceful rhythm, but also a need to plan ahead.

Here’s what to expect if your winter journey brings you to Iceland during the holidays.

Christmas in Iceland is deeply family-focused. Shops, offices, and services adjust their hours, and for a few days, the country truly pauses. This is part of the charm — but it’s helpful to know what’s happening when.

Dec 23 (Þorláksmessa): shops open, often busy into the evening, may have longer opening hours! On this day it is an Icelandic tradition to eat putrefied skate, which is very smelly, along with lightly salted cod, blood pudding and liver sausage.

Dec 24 (Christmas Eve): most places close early (around 12–14) and the country slows to a halt after 18:00.

Dec 25 (Christmas Day): almost everything is closed

Dec 26 (Annar í jólum): limited opening hours, some shops and cafés reopen

Dec 31 (New Year’s Eve): shorter hours during the day, celebrations at night

Jan 1 (New Year’s Day): most places closed or on holiday schedule

What This Means for Travelers

Hotels and restaurants may stay open, but book in advance, and expect a slower, more peaceful rhythm. It’s all part of the Icelandic holiday magic: time for stillness, family time, and fewer errands.

• Stillness
• Cozy evenings
• Fewer crowds
• A more intimate view of Icelandic life

It’s an ideal season for travellers who enjoy calm, winter light, and meaningful experiences.

Looking for a place to stay during the holidays?
Find hotels across Iceland on our website.

Restaurants Open on Key Holiday Dates (Dec 24, 25, 26, 31 & Jan 1)

Fjallkonan
Open: December 26, December 31, January 1
Christmas menu available for dinner, Christmas lunch, Christmas afternoon tea, along with daily Happy Hour.

Tapas Barinn
Open: December 26, December 31, January 1
Christmas menu available

Apotek Kitchen & Bar
Open: December 25, December 26, December 31, January 1

Sushi Social
Open: December 26, December 31, January 1
Christmas menu available for lunch & dinner

Tres Locos
Open: December 26, December 31, January 1
Christmas menu available

Tipsy Bar & Lounge
December 26, December 31, January 1
Happy Hour daily

Haust Restaurant
Open: December 24, December 25, December 26, December 31, January 1
Christmas buffet menu and brunch

Beer Garden
Open: December 24, December 25, December 26, December 31, January 1
Signature menu and daily happy hour

Hjá Jóni
Open: December 24, December 25, December 26, December 31, January 1
Christmas lunch buffet, and dinner menus.

Jörgensen Kitchen & Bar
Open: December 24, December 25, December 26, December 31, January 1
Christmas menus available, daily happy hour, and brunch.

Lóa Restaurant
Open: December 24, December 25, December 26, December 31, January 1
Christmas menus available, buffets and happy hour.

Grandi Restaurant & Bar
Christmas menus available, buffets and happy hour.
Open: December 24, December 25, December 26, December 31, January 1

Kröns Restaurant
Open: December 24, December 25, December 26, December 31, January 1
Christmas platers and menus available.

Mar Seafood
Open: December 24, December 25, December 26, December 31, January 1
Christmas menu available.

Kaffi Krús
Open: December 25, December 26, December 31, January 31
Christmas buffet menu available

Monkeys Food & Wine
Open: December 26, December 31, January 1
Christmas lunch, Christmas dinner, Christmas bubble brunch, with fixed menu New Years Eve.

Kol Restaurant
Open: December 26, December 31, January 1
Christmas menus, brunch available, with fixed menu on New Years Eve

Snaps Bistro
Open: December 24, December 25, December 31, January 1
Christmas brunch, Christmas dinner.

A Different Kind of Holiday Magic

Spending Christmas or New Year’s in Iceland isn’t about packed schedules or busy shopping streets. It’s about quiet moments, winter light, shared meals, and slowing down — just as Icelanders do.

Plan ahead, book early, and let the season set the pace.