It’s difficult to get away the Yuletide spirit on a trip to Iceland during the holidays – a vacation to Reykjavik will be packed with a totally awesome amount of Traditional delight. The city goes crazy for an excellent Christmas party, and commences ringing in the season at the end of November, with the illumination of the town’s X-mas tree at Austurvöllur square. The merriment involves choirs singing carols and the arrival of the first of the “Holiday Lads,” 13 Santas who show up around town throughout Lent.
Other preferred holiday spectacles include the X-mas Village in Hafnarfjörður town, a small, cheery town chock-full of stores offering for sale vacation souvenirs and classical foods amidst live entertainment, and a tour to Reykjavik’s primary Christmas time Market in Ingólfstorg Square, which fills with vendors offering holiday presents, mulled wine and performances from a variety of entertainers.
Lastly, to experience an old-fashioned, Nordic Yuletide, head to the Christmas exhibition at the Reykjavik City Museum, where exhibits demonstrate how fried bread is produced, tallow is used to make candles, and guests can discover time honored Yuletide songs and dances.