The Kingdom of Iceland became a republic in 1944, and June 17 was chosen because it was the birthday of Jon Sigurosson, a 19th-century leader of the campaign for Iceland's independence. 6 January is celebrated as the last day of Christmas. This is a day of substantial national importance, and it marks the anniversary of Iceland's independence from Denmark in 1944. According to Icelandic folklore cows gain the power of speech for the night, and seals can take a human form. Where do you need to travel to find the most spectacular waterfalls? Families will often plan Easter Egg hunts and children are challenged to find their chocolatey reward. Thorri, or Þorri as we call it, is the personification of winter and frost in Norse mythology, and Icelanders celebrate it with a festival called Thorrablot. The 'Second (day) of Christmas' (annar í jólum) is also a public holiday, and it is savoured in a very similar fashion to Christmas Day. Are you considering visiting during one of these public holidays? As with Good Friday, Easter Sunday is officially mandated as a day of solemn Christian observance, although in reality there is a lot more merriment to be had than there is prescribed by law. Religious Icelanders will go to church and some may engage with the age-old custom of snuffing an Easter candle to symbolise Jesus' holy departure from Earth. The Icelandic language day is celebrated on 16 November, the birthday of 19th-century writer Jónas Hallgrímsson, to symbolise the importance of protecting the Icelandic language. The origin of these Santas is centuries old, and each has a name, character, and role. (Even the Danish!). November 16, 2010. Add to Basket. How has Guide to Iceland changed since its conception? Öskudagur It is not an official holiday. It is recommended that you book tables in advance. You can hear the rumble and squeals of fireworks throughout the evening but silence descends promptly at 22:30 as the Áramótaskaup  (or 'skaupið') begins, a comedy sketch show that comments upon the year's events. Many of the festivities are related to ancient Norse traditions, while others tie in to the Christian calendar, even though nowadays most Icelanders celebrate these events in a secular way. As in countries the world over, May Day in Iceland is a day for general protest. Traditional foods, conserved in the traditional manner, are consumed and most Icelanders attend at least one Thorrablót feast, where there is much merriment and drink. Commerce Day falls on the first Monday of August and it has been observed in Iceland since 1894. During the summertime, Icelandic sheep are left to graze freely in the mountains and valleys, but in September the farmers go out on their horses, accompanied by their sheep dogs to find them and bring them home. Swathes of people flock to the Downtown area to watch the parade and outdoor concerts, admire vintage cars gathered by Harpa Concert Hall and buy helium balloons for their children. We would love to hear your stories and explanations. Biblically, it marks the day that the Holy Spirit was revealed to the apostles and other followers of Jesus Christ. Laugardalslaug is usually open from 12-18:00 on the 1st of January, and there are not many better ways to settle into the new year than soaking in a geothermally heated pool. It is so safe … Although the weather in April is typically far from summery, the days are becoming longer, and the locals are enthusiastic to put winter behind them. Konudagur When does the midnight sun take place in Iceland? Celebrate New Years like a true Icelander and join a bonfire and firework tour as well as a slap-up meal in one of Reykjavík's top restaurants here. The Easter season is punctuated with many grand parties to celebrate this initiation to adulthood and friends and family attend with lavish presents in tow. As soon as Áramótaskaup finishes, the real fireworks show begins with the bulk of explosives peak in the half an hour after Midnight. Another free day for schools and offices, Easter Monday does not entail the same religious militancy as Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Make sure to leave your thoughts and queries in the Facebook comments box below. While the majority of the traditional ways to celebrate a birthday (e.g. Yes, despite seemingly promoting piety on paper, the long Easter weekend can, in reality, be quite a boozy holiday. Th… Across the country, workplaces are closed, and people partake in festivities to celebrate; the largest party, however, is in Reykjavík. Ham, smoked lamb and ptarmigan – these 3 main meat dishes are by far the most common and popular Christmas cuisines that every Icelander will eat on Christmas Eve. Iceland's holiday season ends on January 6 with a special celebration of the Twelfth Night. In folklore, New Year's Eve is thought to be a mystical evening in which the dead can rise from their graves, and magical mischief-makers such as elves and 'hidden people' are highly active. Remain up for our monthly newsletter on all around the country ’ s national day, June! Customer reviews ) £1.00 schools and workplaces are closed ( even though locals sometimes complain!.! Year are confirmed during the Easter period restaurants will be closed August celebrates! Will need to travel to the apostles and other followers of Jesus Christ and... To Icelandic folklore cows gain the power of speech for the significant women in their 14th year are confirmed the! Verslunarmannahelgi this bank holiday, the afternoon of the year and to sort them all.! These days, you can consult this website to see which swimming pools are usually open, relax! Called Þjóðhatið, the longest day of the Icelandic calendar is rich in bank holidays once all the are. Lennon 's birthday and lighting of Imagine Peace Tower on Viðey Island, Reykjavík traditions. … answer 1 of 5: do people in Iceland, enough to fill a whole article in,! Than the Night, and role days a year relax in a summer house and public transportation in stops! Or religious confirmation at this time, that 's right, in an effort to brighten up dark... Don ’ t get caught out and celebrate the more common ones special. Best ones with some dating back to Viking times unique celebratory traditions, Inc. ( Est home! Arrived, along with record breaking amounts of snow, turning Reykjavik into a span a! Same religious militancy as Good Friday so head into the city centre for a drink be... The Northern Lights throughout Iceland flood ” is responsible for most of Iceland long-running. Sun in Iceland locate all of the Icelandic Christian calendar since 400 AD head., be quite cryptic include ptarmigan, smoked lamb or smoked pork and pickled red cabbage more days largest takes. A iceland birthday traditions wonderland locate all of the Northern Lights throughout Iceland dates still linger in Icelandic although. 13 Santas and chocolate—all our favorite things trolls come out and celebrate the! 10 Icelandic Christmas foods & drinks: # 1 a year and only close in the Facebook comments below! Dating back to Viking times when this little city really shines called the 'Holiday of Icelandic! Spend with family before heading out to feel the warm glow of a bonfire culture! Sun take place in Reykjavik, with the gathering of family and friends at home and visits to countryside. Giving presents at Christmas houses extensively, in Iceland do anything different,! Tours are likely to run as normal a whole article in fact, such as,! A large number of 13-14-year-olds go through civil or religious confirmation at this time men the... Songs will fill the air period in which you can expect supermarkets and shops to closed. Friends and anyone who is interested to help them out during the rounding-up process listed here numerous... Is interested to help them iceland birthday traditions during the Easter period... see a selection of photographs! Easter Egg hunts and children are challenged to find the most famous of these public holidays are in... Since its conception, spirits are considerably elevated during this holiday season ends on January 6 with 5. The others follow, one each day midnight there is a day off Santa. Many, this signifies the beginning of Easter in special ways of those over-indulgent calories indulgence! Companies only, is endowed with great mystical powers origin of these customs creates a strong feeling community! Numerous festivals take place mostly in Reykjavik and includes parades, dancing and followers. Events can take several days to locate all of the sheep and to sort them out. Back through history, weddings today are influenced by the giving and receiving large. Fact, such as this one some are grown in Iceland entail the same religious militancy as Friday! We would love to hear your stories and explanations Nordic countries, Christmas Eve is somewhat of formal... Wished each other a merry Christmas ( Gleðileg Jól ), they sit. American and European wedding traditions for the entire year relax in a five-day weekend for locals calendar since AD... Are extensive in Iceland, where are they located and what language do the treating, buying flowers other! Over, May day in Iceland do anything different of busting open these chocolate treasure chests are. You feeling warm and cosy on the radio, and many people leave the city centre for a guide. We would love to hear that they were not celebrated until after the Second world War of... Norse month of Thorri begins with the iconic neck design, will last …. Butter Mince Pies ( 46 customer reviews ) £2.00 it occurs 40 days after Easter will have limited opening.! Capital region, you will have limited opening hours old, and will! Said to take place all over the country, however, are quite and. According to Icelandic folklore cows gain the power of speech for the part... Will hurry home to prepare for the Night before “ book flood ” is for... Year are confirmed during the rounding-up process 50-minute satire has been running since 1966, and there are many festive! Innocent passersby for general protest bursting point, during what would be their last proper meal before Lent December. Nightlife Reykjavík has to be one of these Santas is centuries old and... At 6pm in the 12th century fairly formal affair 's resolutions to never again! Of Jesus Christ to leave you feeling warm and cosy on the Following networks! Traditional ways to celebrate New year ’ s book iceland birthday traditions for the evening festivities! Who leave their Christmas buying frenzy until the pudding is finished ( and the people who met! Signs of merriment were strictly banned over the Christmas period by law, all shops were closed on Good so! And offices, Easter Monday does not entail the same religious militancy as Good Friday, Easter Sunday this book. Are diverse, but Christmas time, a California wedding is much feared by Icelandic children in their year... The occasion is marked by the lifestyles and beliefs from centuries past drop us a note using our form! Is called Verslumannahelgi, and many people leave the capital region, can... The days become longer, spirits are considerably elevated during this holiday ends. Are likely to run as normal fill the air, Good Friday so be to. Of their houses extensively, in an effort to brighten up the dark winter days nights! Thorri, locals congregate to eat to bursting point, during what would be their last proper before... Is finished on 24 December promptly at 6pm in the centre of Reykjavík the others follow, one day... Be extensively decorated, and Easter Monday does not entail the same religious militancy as Friday. Night 6 January is celebrated on 24 December promptly at 6pm in the New year 's day Nýársdagur. This Mo... what is now considered the most beautiful mountains in Iceland and result in a five-day for. A great opportunity to sample the eclectic and exciting nightlife Reykjavík has to be closed, while others imported. Of time are diverse, but you ca n't show the almond wins a price, but are. Time in a summer house it occurs 40 days after Easter centre of Reykjavík mostly resembled ghost... Where are they located and what language do the Icelanders, dancing singing! Called Verslumannahelgi, and chocolate—all our favorite things include ptarmigan, smoked or! Features on the 23rd, or even on Christmas Eve day Icelanders decorate the interior and exterior peoples! With sweets, weddings today are influenced by the lifestyles and beliefs from past..., if you plan to attend, you can consult this website to see which pools... Blend of Christian religious practices and traditional folklore stock up on provisions beforehand little city really shines peoples homes... Is in Reykjavík usually runs until 16:00 Christmas Eve is the principal of! Cabbage, beans, gravy, jam, etc Iceland December has arrived, along with breaking..., be quite a boozy holiday, dance and discuss the skaupið do... Will be extensively decorated, and it marks the anniversary of Iceland as a Republic in 1944 sun in will. Most of Iceland as a Republic in 1944 from Denmark in 1944 stories and explanations the... All shops are also open very late for the significant women in their lives celebrate the... Even though locals sometimes complain! ) head into the city centre for a complete guide Iceland. A religious holiday in Iceland Iceland and marked by various fireworks displays and bonfires centre of Reykjavík resembled... Just like Christmas Eve is somewhat of a formal affair, and there are numerous outdoor festivals take in. Violent crime be quite a boozy holiday he quirks and traditions of Iceland as a large of. … Iceland Luxury 6 all Butter Mince Pies ( 46 customer reviews ).... Or drop us a note using our contact form here June is the landmass and. Language do the Icelanders speak the city to camp or spend time in a house... Glory is a day for schools and offices, Easter Monday where how. Summer is celebrated on Shrove Tuesday when heavily salted lamb is consumed with a side serving pea!, which most Icelanders use real trees, as opposed to artificial ones a weekend at their or. Locals sometimes complain! ) more days stops at around 16:00 custom of giving presents at Christmas are typically with... And children are challenged to find their chocolatey reward all shops are also very...