The tradition is to decorate them just a day or two before Christmas, on the 23rd, or even on Christmas Eve day. It is during the holidays that you can experience the small-island spirit of Iceland, and if you’re informed as to what’s happening, you can be a part of it! New Year’s Eve What does it mean? The 17th of June is the birthday of the nation's champion for autonomy, Jón Sigurðsson who features on the 500-krona banknote. Supermarkets will still be closed, but restaurants and bars in the centre of Reykjavík will mostly function as normal. It's a good idea to try to get to higher ground to marvel at this awesome display. The candles and twinkling fairy lights of this period bring an element of joy to these otherwise dark and cold winter months and the Christmas spirit is embraced as early as mid-November. Although less than 50% of Icelanders would consider themselves religious, the history of Christian rule is still evident in the nation's calendar. Sjómannadagur More... Throughout the month of Thorri, locals congregate to eat, drink and be merry. Swimming pools are usually open, and some supermarkets will have limited opening hours. This May Day tradition largely stems from the Cold War when there was an active community of communist sympathisers within Iceland who adopted the custom from other left-leaning groups in mainland Europe. Icelandic natives turn their weddings into a span of a few day celebrations. Where did they come from? Every year, a wreath is laid at the base of his statue in Austurvöllur square in Reykjavík to commemorate his contribution to the fight for independence. Visitors are welcome to watch or, if you're feeling brave, you can join in! Traditionally, the weather is anything but summery. Are you considering visiting during one of these public holidays? Read on for a complete guide to Icelandic holidays and the traditions surrounding them. When was Guide to Iceland founded and why? Jólabókaflóðið, Iceland's long-running Christmas tradition, involves books, bed, and chocolate—all our favorite things. It is so safe … Bóndadagur As a form of protest to these strict Christian laws, Icelandic atheists gather in the square Austurvöllur in Downtown Reykjavík to play a rebellious game of Good Friday Bingo. This is when elves and trolls come out and celebrate with the Icelanders, dancing and singing. Biblically, it marks the day that the Holy Spirit was revealed to the apostles and other followers of Jesus Christ. Almost Crime Free. If Icelanders are working in the morning, they will hurry home to prepare for the evening's festivities. Events take place mostly in Reykjavik, with some dating back to Viking times. Lopapeysa sweater. Where do you need to travel to find the most spectacular waterfalls? Christmas  Schools and workplaces are closed although restaurants and bars will be open in the centre of Reykjavík. Shops are also open very late for the many who leave their Christmas buying frenzy until the last minute. 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. Just like Christmas Eve, the afternoon of the 31st is a bank holiday and public transport in Reykjavík usually runs until 16:00. You can expect supermarkets and shops to be closed, but more bars and restaurants will be open than the night before. The Wednesday preceding Maundy Thursday is treated as a weekend in Reykjavík as bars are open late until 03:00 or 04:30 in the morning since many people do not have work the next day (bars usually close at 01:00 AM on weekdays). It is recommended that you book tables in advance. Probably the most celebrated A religious holiday in Iceland and marked by the giving and receiving of large chocolate eggs filled with sweets. Christmas Eve is generally celebrated at home, and it officially begins at 18:00, marked by the tolling of the bells of Hallgrímskirkja church. Visit us on Facebook or drop us a note using our contact form here! As a large proportion of people choose to imbibe, many spend their New Years Day feeling rather... fragile. Beautifully decorated with a toy chick and fake flowers, Icelandic Easter eggs are packed full of candy on the inside as well as delicious chocolate on the outside. The interior and exterior of peoples' homes will be extensively decorated, and Icelandic Christmas songs will fill the air. Culture Tips. I then have my own tradition of going round my friend's houses with a red Santa hat delivering presents. What is Guide to Iceland? Anyone can light fireworks, and many do, resulting in one of the most magnificent and breath-taking informal firework displays you could ever hope to see. You tell us! 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. 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 17th of June is the birthday of the nation's champion for autonomy, Jón Sigurðsson who features on the 500-krona banknote. T he quirks and traditions of weddings are charming and unique in every region of the world. Many choose to go for a Christmas walk to burn some of those over-indulgent calories. 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. 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. Today children celebrate the day by dressing up in costumes and singing in shops for sweets and treats, a little like Hallowe’en celebrations. This “book flood” is responsible for most of Iceland’s book purchases for the entire year. Maundy Thursday commemorates Jesus Christ's Last Supper with his thirteen disciples and it marks the beginning of Easter. Many outdated rules regarding the observance of these dates still linger in Icelandic law although they are rarely enforced. Who were the first Icelanders? Sundagarðar 2  •  104 Reykjavík, Iceland. Are shops and restaurants open during official vacation days in Iceland? Surely a treacherous time agical things are said to take place on this evening, including rumours that cows can speak! However, due to the rise in tourism in recent years, an increasing number of restaurants and bars are open in the city centre, and those poor souls dragged into work, get paid double! Shortly after Midnight, most bars open their doors, and people leave their families to partake in one of the biggest parties of the year. What are some Japanese birthday traditions and customs, and how do they differ from what we might be used to? If you find yourself in the capital region, you can consult this website to see which swimming pools are open. In Iceland, people believe in elves, or Huldufólk (hidden people). How has Guide to Iceland changed since its conception? The Saturday between these two days often entails Icelanders bombarding the shops while they're open, to stock up on supplies to last until Tuesday. There are many more festive days in the Icelandic calendar, however, the dates included in the table above are exclusively bank holidays. It's free to play, and there are prizes to be won! TOP 10 Icelandic Christmas foods & drinks: #1. Dip into Iceland's largest we... National Holidays in Iceland | Traditions & Dates, Guide to Iceland | The Story of the Leading Travel Agency of Iceland, A Snapshot of Iceland | Facts, Figures & Information, Intimately experience Icelandic history and culture on a, Find out everything you need to know about the. Traditionally, all shops were closed on the 1st of January, and the Downtown of Reykjavík mostly resembled a ghost town. 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 day is the birthday of the country’s independence hero, Jón Sigurdsson. By law, all shops are closed on Good Friday so be sure to stock up on provisions beforehand. The culture of Iceland is rich and varied as well as being known for its literary heritage which began in the 12th century. During these days, you can expect most stores to be closed. While the majority of the traditional ways to celebrate a birthday (e.g. It is celebrated on Shrove Tuesday when heavily salted lamb is consumed with a side serving of pea soup. When does the midnight sun take place in Iceland? Verslunarmannahelgi A large number of 13-14-year-olds go through civil or religious confirmation at this time, a common rite of passage for adolescents in Iceland. What impact did they have and how did their mischiefs shape what is now considered the most peaceful of nations? 1993) PO Box 240040, Honolulu, HI 96824 Tel: (808)845-6677 HST email: Info@IslandTraditions.com Religious Icelanders will attend a Midnight Mass. The bars open after Midnight on Good Friday so head into the city centre for a drink and a dance with the locals. Families will make use of the long weekend to travel to the countryside to camp or spend time in a summer house. Continue... See a selection of wonderful photographs that capture the magic of the Northern Lights throughout Iceland. 'Sumardagurinn fyrsti', the First Day of Summer has been a public holiday since 1971, but its history goes back further to when Icelanders used the Old Norse calendar which was divided into just two seasons: summer and winter. This 50-minute satire has been running since 1966, and over 90% of the Icelandic population dutifully tune in every year. Although the weather can be notoriously bad on the First Day of Summer, Icelanders still celebrate with parades led by brass bands and scouts, outdoor sporting events and live entertainment all over the country. The Icelandic calendar is rich in bank holidays, boasting no less than fifteen leisurely days a year. ... 8 Facts About Jane Austen on Her 245th Birthday. Easter Love letters: In early Iceland, we found that love letters were the foundation of … Which mountains are the most beautiful mountains in Iceland, where are they located and what kind of mountains can you find in Iceland? 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