Christmas City dressed for the holidays

Christmas City features events in the city center, at museums, in Elliðaárdalur, at Reykjavík Family Park & Zoo, and throughout the city all during Advent, so everyone is sure to find something fun to do.

Music, Santa Clauses, and more fun throughout Advent

The Yule Cat is in place, and Grýla and Leppalúði have joined in greenhouse at Lækjartorg. The Oslo Tree at Austurvöllur stands in place in all its glory, and something new is always being added to Christmas City, encouraging people to spend a joyful day in the city during Advent.

26 grants were awarded from the Christmas City's event fund to artists who will entertain visitors in the city center. Choir singing, accordion music, Christmas magic, and brass music will ring throughout the city center, filling the Christmas City with Christmas cheer.

Yule lads will be roaming, and the troll Tufti and family will play every weekend until Christmas. Most events will be offered on weekends and the last days before Christmas. Everything is free.

Christmas Market at Austurvöllur

Austurvöllur is the heart of the Christmas City and has never been more beautiful. About 10 kilometers of light strings now decorate the greenery around the square, and the beautiful tunnels of light are in place. The Christmas wreath is in place and was very popular last year, since it's perfect for taking festive photos.

The Christmas Market at Austurvöllur opened Saturday, Nov. 29, and has expanded since last year. More vendors have joined, featuring a diverse selection of small goods and exciting Christmas items. The market will be open all weekends in December and December 18–23. Everyone is welcome!

Christmas Creature Game

The Christmas Creature Game begins December 3, with all Christmas creatures in place on walls around the city center.

The game has been popular with visitors to the city who enjoy wandering streets and squares searching for the Yule spirits. The game runs until December 19, with prizes drawn from correct submitted answers.

Christmas Forest

Experience designer Jökull Jónsson will transform the Tjarnarsalur in Reykjavík City Hall into a magical Christmas forest.

It's easy to get into the Christmas spirit with the overwhelming pine scent in a decorative Christmas environment. The Christmas forest officially opens Dec. 3 and will be open weekdays from 8am-6pm, Saturdays from 10am–6pm and Sundays from noon–6pm. Everyone is welcome.

Christmas Workshop at Reykjavík Art Museum

At Reykjavík Art Museum, Reykjavík Art Museum invites children to an openChristmas craft workshop at Hafnarhús Museum every day during museum hours. Perfect for children and families to visit the museum and enjoy a quiet moment in the lead-up to Christmas. In the multipurpose hall, Yule spirits will be on display, where visitors can see all of Reykjavík City's spirits in one place. "Play with Art" is the theme of Reykjavík Art Museum's family program on Sunday, December 1 from 1pm-3pm.

Ásmundarsafn Museum will host a drawing exercise with Sara Riel. During the exercise, Sara gently guides guests through the process of automatic drawing. Sara provides guests with gentle instructions and guidance while projecting her own drawing onto the wall with a projector, as music fills the space and supports the creative flow. All materials are provided.

Pleasant time at Reykjavík City Library during Advent

Reykjavík City Library features a diverse and festive program in the lead-up to Christmas. Live music, singing, workshops, crafts, story time, swap market, Christmas song competition and much more for children and adults. Come and enjoy the warmth and coziness of the library.

As always, all events are free.

The Yule Cat, Christmas gifts with the animals in Christmas Valley

Reykjavík Family Park & Zoo has been transformed into a real-life Christmas Valley, decorated with hundreds of thousands of Christmas lights, with people and animals eagerly getting into the Christmas spirit.

Candles and fires will burn throughout the park in the afternoon on weekends, and guests can ride the carousel from 4pm to 8pm. Events centered on the animals will have a festive theme, and many will likely welcome the chance to rest from the hustle and bustle of Christmas preparations while surrounded by the animals. The Yule Cat will be prowling around the park and will cause trouble for animals and people alike.

Well-behaved and healthy dogs, registered with the municipality, are welcome to visit the park every Wednesday, and through Christmas they will also be welcome every Sunday. They must be on a short leash and under adult supervision.

The Bæjarins Beztu hot-dog concession will be open on weekends, offering a festive atmosphere where guests can play cards and craft something in peace and quiet.

The park will be open from 10am to 8pm on Saturdays and Sundays through Christmas, but otherwise from 10am to 5pm.

Between Christmas and New Year's, it will be open from 10am to 5pm, but on Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day it will be open from 10am to 3pm and closed on Christmas Day. Regular admission fees will apply throughout December.

Christmas at Árbær Open Air Museum

"Soon comes blessed Christmas" (Bráðum koma blessuð jólin) is the title of Árbær Open Air Museum's Christmas program on Sundays, Dec. 8 and 15.

Visitors can experience Christmas as it was in old Reykjavík. Christmas preparations are in full swing, with a variety of activities. See traditional flatbread making, wool carding and spinning in Árbær. Fermented skate is cooking in Efstibær, and Christmas cards are being printed in Miðhús. In the stable on Garðastræti, the couple are making candles from tallow.

Christmas in Heiðmörk

The Christmas Market in Elliðavatnsbær, organized annually by the Reykjavík Forestry Association, opens Saturday, Nov. 29, and is open all Advent weekends from noon to 5pm, which will feature a wide variety of goods.

The Christmas forest 2025 will be open from 11am to 4pm on the Advent weekends Dec. 6-7, Dec. 13-14 and Dec. 20-21. Those who want to cut their own tree are welcome to Hólmsheiði, and who knows, some Yule Lads might be roaming around.

City center residents can buy Christmas trees from the Forestry Association at the greenhouse on Lækjartorg from December 12 to 22. The schedule is available on Heiðmörk.is

Christmas in the valley - Elliðaárstöð

In December, Elliðaárstöð transforms into a Christmas station. Visit the valley and enjoy the beautiful Christmas lights, participate in the scavenger hunt "The search for Christmas energy," explore the science exhibition "Heartstrings & Waterways" in the visitor center, and enjoy Christmas treats at Elliði – the café in the heart of the valley🎅⛄

The outdoor area will be decorated with beautiful Christmas lights.

Skate into Christmas!

The Nova Ice Rink is back in its place at Ingólfstorg just like in previous years and has never looked more spectacular. Few things are more Christmassy than enjoying ice skating, with hot cocoa between trips. Check out the program.

Welcome to Christmas City!