Canonical URL: https://www.iceland.org/culture/holidays Content updated: 2026-09-10 This is the Markdown representation of the page. Interactive tools and forms are available on the [HTML page](). Source-check and review dates retain the meanings stated in the article. --- # Iceland Public Holidays and Celebrations Celebrations rooted in Viking traditions and the rhythm of Iceland's seasons. Updated September 10, 2026 · [Published by Iceland.org]() · [Writing & review]() Topic Holidays & Celebrations From cream puff day to 13 mischievous Yule Lads. ## Quick Answer Icelandic holidays reflect the nation's Viking heritage and its seasonal extremes. The year begins with Þorrablót, a mid-winter feast of traditional foods like fermented shark and smoked lamb. Bolludagur (cream puff day) and Sprengidagur (Shrove Tuesday) follow with their own food traditions. Sjómannadagur (Seamen's Day) in June honors Iceland's maritime heritage. Independence Day on June 17 is the biggest national celebration. Jónsmessa marks midsummer, and Verslunarmannahelgi (Commerce Day weekend) in August sees much of the country head to outdoor festivals. Christmas brings the 13 Yule Lads, who arrive on successive nights to fill children's shoes with gifts, or rotting potatoes for naughty ones. Sources and page update Updated: 2026-09-10 Holiday dates may vary slightly year to year, especially those tied to the lunar calendar or moveable feasts. Check current year dates before planning. For sourcing standards and how to report an error, see the editorial policy. Official sources to check - [Visit Iceland]() - [Iceland Review]() - [Government of Iceland]() Most unique 13 Yule Lads Mischievous trolls who visit one per night for 13 nights before Christmas. National day June 17 Independence Day with parades, music, and celebrations nationwide. Biggest weekend Verslunarmannahelgi Commerce Day weekend in August, with outdoor festivals across the country. ## Bank closure dates in 2026 The [Central Bank’s calendar]() lists these dates as closed, checked September 10, 2026. Use them to flag possible changes to a travel day, then confirm each business’s own schedule. | 2026 date | Holiday | | --- | --- | | January 1 | New Year’s Day | | April 2 | Maundy Thursday | | April 3 | Good Friday | | April 6 | Easter Monday | | April 23 | First Day of Summer | | May 1 | Labor Day | | May 14 | Ascension Day | | May 25 | Whit Monday | | June 17 | Independence Day | | August 3 | Commerce Day | | December 24 | Christmas Eve | | December 25 | Christmas Day | | December 26 | Boxing Day | | December 31 | New Year’s Eve | The late-December cluster matters when arranging meals and activities: December 24, 25 and 26 are consecutive dates on this calendar. A tour booking or restaurant reservation needs its own confirmation; the cultural celebrations below are not a universal opening-hours list. ## Key Holidays Throughout the Year - New Year's Day (Jan 1) — Huge fireworks and bonfires across Iceland. Reykjavík has one of the world's biggest displays, with fireworks sold to fund the search-and-rescue teams (ICE-SAR) - Þorrablót (late Jan–early Feb) — Mid-winter feast named after the Old Norse month Þorri. Traditional foods: hákarl (fermented shark), svið (singed sheep heads), slátur (blood pudding), and brennivín ('Black Death' schnapps) - Bolludagur (Mon before Shrove Tue) — Children spank parents with decorated wands to earn cream-filled bollur. Bakeries sell up to 1 million buns nationwide - Sprengidagur (Shrove Tuesday) — 'Bursting Day': eat salted meat and peas until you burst. Schools serve traditional meals - First Day of Summer (April 23 in 2026) — An ancient holiday marking the start of the 'summer half' of the Old Norse calendar. Parades and flag displays. Not actually warm yet - Sjómannadagur (1st Sun of June) — Seamen's Day honors Iceland's fishing heritage. Harbour festivals, rowing races, sea-rescue demonstrations - Independence Day (Jun 17) — Celebrates the 1944 Republic. Named for Jón Sigurðsson (b. 1811). Parades, street performers, and the president's address at Austurvöllur square in Reykjavík - Jónsmessa (Jun 24) — Midsummer Eve. Folklore says cows gain speech, seals shed skin, and elves come out. Bonfires and gatherings - Verslunarmannahelgi (1st weekend of Aug) — Commerce Day long weekend. Þjóðhátíð festival in Vestmannaeyjar draws 10,000+ people. Camping, bonfires, and music - Christmas Eve (Dec 24) — The main celebration. Gift exchange at 18:00 after the church bells ring. 13 Yule Lads arrive one per night from Dec 12–24 and leave one per night Dec 25–Jan 6 - Þrettándinn (Jan 6) — Thirteenth Night / Epiphany. Last Yule Lad departs. Bonfires and fireworks close the Christmas season ## The 13 Yule Lads - Stekkjastaur (Sheep-Cote Clod) — harasses sheep - Giljagaur (Gully Gawk) — steals milk - Stúfur (Stubby) — steals pans to eat crusts - Þvörusleikir (Spoon-Licker) — licks wooden spoons - Pottaskefill (Pot-Scraper) — scrapes leftovers from pots - Askasleikir (Bowl-Licker) — steals bowls from under beds - Hurðaskellir (Door-Slammer) — slams doors at night - Skyrgámur (Skyr-Gobbler) — eats all the skyr - Bjúgnakrækir (Sausage-Swiper) — steals smoked sausages - Gluggagægir (Window-Peeper) — peeps through windows - Gáttaþefur (Doorway-Sniffer) — sniffs out laufabrauð - Ketkrókur (Meat-Hook) — hooks meat with a long pole - Kertasníkir (Candle-Stealer) — steals candles Planning help ## Iceland Holidays FAQs Quick answers with safety notes where it matters. **Who are Iceland's 13 Yule Lads?** The 13 Yule Lads (Jólasveinar) are mischievous trolls who each visit children on the 13 nights before Christmas and leave gifts in shoes placed on windowsills. Each has a distinct personality and a name that matches his antics: Stekkjastaur (Sheep-Cote Clod), Giljagaur (Gully Gawk), Stúfur (Stubby), Þvörusleikir (Spoon-Licker), Pottaskefill (Pot-Scraper), Askasleikir (Bowl-Licker), Hurðaskellir (Door-Slammer), Skyrgámur (Skyr-Gobbler), Bjúgnakrækir (Sausage-Swiper), Gluggagægir (Window-Peeper), Gáttaþefur (Doorway-Sniffer), Ketkrókur (Meat-Hook), and Kertasníkir (Candle-Stealer). **What is Þorrablót?** Þorrablót is a mid-winter festival celebrated in January/February with traditional Icelandic foods like hákarl (fermented shark), svið (singed sheep heads), hrútspungar (rams' testicles), and hangikjöt (smoked lamb). It's a celebration of Iceland's culinary heritage and ability to survive harsh winters. **How does Iceland celebrate Independence Day?** June 17 marks Iceland's Independence Day, which celebrates the founding of the Republic in 1944. Celebrations include parades, street performances, live music, and gatherings across the country. The date honors Jón Sigurðsson, the leader of the independence movement, who was born on that date. **What is Bolludagur (Bun Day)?** Bolludagur falls on the Monday before Shrove Tuesday. Icelanders eat cream-filled pastry buns (bollur) and children playfully spank adults with decorated wands to earn more buns. Bakeries across the country sell huge quantities of them. **Do businesses close on Icelandic holidays?** Check the specific business’s holiday schedule. The Central Bank publishes its closure calendar, but a bank holiday does not tell you whether a restaurant, museum or tour operates. For Christmas and New Year travel, confirm meal, activity and transport arrangements for the actual dates. For more context on Iceland’s people and rural life, explore our [Iceland statistics]().