Christmas in Iceland — doesn’t it sound magical? Well, it is.
With the dark evenings lit up by Christmas lights, walking around downtown Reykjavík and stopping at a café for some hot chocolate and a snack is certain to put you in a holiday mood. Experiencing Christmas in Reykjavík only heightens that cozy charm.
But when does the Christmas season actually start in Iceland? Like many Nordic countries, Iceland begins celebrating with Advent, which starts four Sundays before Christmas Eve. During this time, Reykjavík transforms into a festive winter city filled with lights, Christmas markets, seasonal treats, and family traditions.
In Iceland, the Christmas season is deeply connected to Advent customs, candles, folklore, and holiday baking. Like every country, Iceland has its own unique Iceland Christmas traditions surrounding Christmas and Advent, and the Blue Car Rental Iceland blog loves sharing these local experiences with travelers.
Here are two beloved Advent traditions you should experience while visiting Iceland during the holidays.
Summary
This article highlights two Icelandic Advent traditions to enjoy in Reykjavík’s cozy Christmas season: candle customs and making laufabrauð (leaf bread). Icelanders mark the countdown with a numbered candle, light an Advent wreath each Sunday, and share tales of the prankster yule lad Candle-Stealer, while families gather to cut intricate designs into paper-thin dough and fry it into buttery leaf bread. Together, these practices blend light, folklore, and family craft to build anticipation for Christmas.
Candles Are a Must During Advent
The holiday season is the season for candles and lights, and Icelanders fully embrace that atmosphere during Advent. In fact, there are three main ways candles connect to Icelandic Christmas traditions.
The Icelandic Christmas Countdown Candle
One of the most common Advent traditions in Iceland is the Christmas countdown candle. Every year, families buy a candle marked with the numbers 1–24 and burn it down one number each day leading up to Christmas Eve.
This simple daily ritual helps build excitement throughout December and is especially popular with children eagerly waiting for Christmas morning.
The Advent Wreath Tradition in Iceland
Another important Iceland Christmas tradition is the Advent wreath. The wreath holds four candles that are lit one by one on each Sunday of Advent.
Each candle is connected to the Nativity story and traditionally has its own name:
- The Prophecy Candle
- The Bethlehem Candle
- The Shepherd’s Candle
- The Angel Candle
Lighting the Advent wreath is a cozy family tradition that helps Icelanders slow down and enjoy the buildup to Christmas.
Candle-Stealer: Iceland’s Mischievous Yule Lad
The third candle-related tradition comes from Icelandic folklore and the famous 13 Yule Lads.
Who is Candle-Stealer? He is the final Yule Lad to arrive before Christmas and is known for sneaking into homes to steal candles. Traditionally, he sometimes leaves behind a small present if the children in the household have behaved well.
Today, many Icelandic children play along with the tradition by placing a candle on the windowsill specifically for Candle-Stealer to “take.” It’s a fun and playful part of Christmas in Iceland that mixes folklore with family tradition.
Leaf Bread (Laufabrauð) — A Cozy Advent Family Tradition
No Christmas in Iceland is complete without frying and eating Icelandic leaf bread, known locally as laufabrauð.
But what exactly is laufabrauð?
Despite the name, it’s less like regular bread and more like a paper-thin, deep-fried crispy flatbread that is usually served with butter during the holiday season.
The real tradition, however, is not only eating it — it’s making it.
Many Icelandic families gather together sometime during Advent to spend an entire day preparing laufabrauð. Before frying the dough, intricate decorative patterns are carefully cut into each round using small knives or special tools. The designs are often incredibly detailed and turn the bread-making process into both a family activity and a creative holiday tradition.
Visitors spending Advent in Iceland should absolutely try laufabrauð during their trip. Commercially baked versions can be found in nearly every grocery store throughout the season. While locals may say they’re not quite the same as homemade laufabrauð, they still offer a delicious taste of Icelandic Christmas culture.
Frequently Asked Questions About Christmas Traditions in Iceland
When does the Christmas season start in Iceland?
The Christmas season in Iceland begins with Advent, four Sundays before Christmas Eve. During this time, Reykjavík becomes especially festive with Christmas lights, seasonal cafés, holiday markets, and cozy winter traditions.
How does the Icelandic Christmas countdown candle work?
Families use a numbered candle marked from 1–24 and burn it down a little each day until Christmas Eve. It’s a simple Advent tradition that helps build anticipation throughout December.
What are the four Advent candles called in Iceland?
The four candles on the Advent wreath are traditionally called the Prophecy Candle, Bethlehem Candle, Shepherd’s Candle, and Angel Candle.
Who is Candle-Stealer in Icelandic folklore?
Candle-Stealer is one of Iceland’s 13 Yule Lads. He is known for stealing candles from homes before Christmas, though children often leave one out for him on purpose as part of the tradition.
What is laufabrauð?
Laufabrauð, or Icelandic leaf bread, is a thin, crispy fried bread traditionally eaten during Christmas in Iceland. Families gather during Advent to decorate and prepare it together.
See Blue car rental's video about Christmas tradtions in Iceland:
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