Diverse Christmas program during Advent in the Christmas City
Reykjavík has never been more decorated for the holidays, with over 500,000 light bulbs and 50 kilometers of Christmas lights. Various activities are offered in the Christmas City, at Austurvöllur, museums, Elliðaárdalur and Reykjavík Family Park & Zoo throughout Advent. Everyone should find something fun to do.
The Yule Cat is in place, and Grýla and Leppalúði have joined in greenhouse at Lækjartorg. The Oslo Tree at Austurvöllur, a fixture in residents' minds, will be lit on Sunday, an essential part of the Christmas City. New additions to the Christmas City are constant. People are encouraged to enjoy the city during Advent.
Christmas Market at Austurvöllur
Austurvöllur is the heart of the Christmas City and has never been more beautiful. About 10 kilometers of Christmas lights now adorn the square's vegetation, and city staff have created fun light tunnels at both ends. A magnificent Christmas wreath is also in place, perfect for festive photos. ÍFor the first time, a Christmas market is offered at Austurvöllur, with vendors offering a variety of small items and exciting Christmas products.
The Christmas market opens Saturday, November 30 at 1pm.
A special program will be held at the market opening on Saturday, featuring Páll Óskar, the University of Iceland Women's Choir, Harmonikkusystur, and Christmas Tufti. Everyone is welcome!
The market will be open all weekends in December and December 19-23.
Music, Santa Clauses, and more fun throughout Advent
25 grants were awarded from the Christmas City's event fund to artists who will entertain visitors in the city center. Choral singing, accordion music, and brass will be heard throughout the city center, maintaining the Christmas spirit.
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.
Lalli the Magician will host a Christmas bingo for all at Tjarnarbíó on Sunday, December 1 at 12pm. Magic tricks and entertainment Lalli-style, gingerbread cookies, and endless joy will be offered! A second show in English will be held the same day at 1:30pm.
Christmas Creature Game
The Christmas Creature Game begins December 5, with all Christmas creatures in place on walls around the city center.
The game has been popular among visitors who enjoy threading streets and squares in search of Christmas creatures and filling in jolavaettir.borginokkar.is. The game runs until December 19, with prizes drawn from correct submitted answers.
Christmas Forest
The City Hall Christmas Forest opens December 6.
Experience designer Kateřina Blahutová 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 is open weekdays from 8am-6pm, Saturdays from 10am-6pm, and Sundays from 12pm-6pm.
Skate into Christmas!
Nova and Orkusalan's ice rink is in place at Ingólfstorg as in previous years and has never been more splendid.
Few things are more Christmassy than enjoying ice skating, with hot cocoa between trips.
Christmas Workshop at Reykjavík Art Museum
"Play with Art" is the theme of Reykjavík Art Museum's family program on Sunday, December 1 from 1pm-3pm.
Children are especially welcome to the museum with their families to view and experience visual arts through games and fun discussions. Various materials are available under teacher guidance in a cozy and Christmassy atmosphere.
Saman's Christmas Market will be in the courtyard of Reykjavík Art Museum on Saturday, November 30. Designers, visual artists, foodies, authors, illustrators, and musicians come together at a fun market where an abundance of beautiful products, drinks, food, and artworks of various kinds will be for sale for Christmas.
Christmas Valley
Christmas Valley in Reykjavík Family Park & Zoo opens formally on Friday, November 29 at 5pm.
The park is decorated with beautiful Christmas lights. Visitors can see the animals and meet the Yule Cat. Evening openings are from 5pm to 8pm on Fridays to Sundays until Christmas. Admission is free.
During evening openings, visitors can ride the carousel, listen to music, and enjoy food trucks and refreshments in the cafe. A family orienteering game is available through the Reykjavík Family Park & Zoo app in mobile app stores.
Christmas at Reykjavík City Library
Reykjavík City Library offers a diverse Christmas program. Events include book readings, children's book parties, crafts, group singing and more. The Christmas calendar features a daily chapter of a Christmas story to read or listen to.
Christmas at Árbær Open Air Museum
Árbær Open Air Museum's Christmas program runs on Sundays, December 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 Reykjavík Forestry Association's Christmas market in Elliðavatnsbær opens Saturday, November 30 with lots on offer.
Visitors can cut their own Christmas tree in Hólmsheiði, the Forestry Association’s Christmas forest, from December 7on weekends until Christmas. City center residents can buy Christmas trees from the Forestry Association at the greenhouse on Lækjartorg from December 14-22. The schedule is available on Heiðmörk.is
Christmas in Elliðaárdalur
A cozy Christmas event in Elliðaárdalur is on Thursday, December 5 from 4:30pm to 6:30pm.
Live Christmas music, Hugmyndasmiðir’s craft workshops, gingerbread decorating, and refreshments at Elliðaárstöð cafe. The outdoor area will be decorated with Christmas lights, featuring the art installation "Illumination" in the formal garden.
Find the full program at jolaborgin.is
Welcome to Christmas City!