Essential December events in Reykjavik

Attending the lighting of the Oslo tree in Austurvöllur square …

Attending the lighting of the Oslo tree in Austurvöllur square is a tradition that's very popular with families Mbl.is/Styrmir Kári

<p>Having been selected twice as the one of the best places to spend Christmas by CNN, Reykjavík definitely lives up to its reputation. Old Icelandic traditions shape the local festivities and the cold weather, darkness and possible snow adds a lot of charm to the season. Here are the top Christmas events going on in the city from the brand new </p><a href="http://christmas.visitreykjavik.is/">December in Reykjavík </a><p>website. </p> <strong>The Hunt for the Christmas Creatures</strong>

The Hunt for the Christmas Creatures is a game for the whole family which starts on December 4th. Thirteen Christmas Creatures have taken up residence in and around various places in Reykjavík, including the city center. The game, which is set-up as a treasure hunt, invites participants to hunt for the Christmas Creatures and answer a few simple Creature related questions. 

The Reykjavík Christmas Creatures are big part of Icelandic Christmas and images of them can be found projected onto walls in different parts of the city. The Christmas Creatures are based on the thirteen Icelandic Yule Lads who are strange and boisterous troublemakers who like to entertain children and known for their skills in passing out gifts to well behaved children.

Christmas Creatures of Reykjavik 2012 from HAF by Hafsteinn Juliusson on Vimeo.

The lighting of the Oslo Tree

One of the longest-standing traditions of the season, and another sign that Christmas is imminent, is the lighting of the Oslo tree, a big evergreen given to Reykjavík residents by the city of Oslo and put up in Austurvöllur Square. The Oslo tree this year unfortunately broke in the recent storm but has been replaced by an Icelandic pine ready for lights on Sunday December 7th. The event is accompanied by music and even a couple of Yule lads and is very popular with children. 

Yule Town at Ingólfstorg

Yule Town in Reykjavík consists of small and beautiful Christmas houses that will be placed on Ingólfstorg in mid-December.  Yule Town offers a wide selection of gifts, Christmas decorations, delicious food and all kinds of entertainment. Yule Town will be open December 11 – 14 and December 18 – 23.  

Jólakrás Street Food Christmas Market

The street food market “Jólakrás” will be at Fógetagarðurinn, December 20-21 with opening hours between 13:00 and 19:00.  Jólakrás is the Christmas themed version of “Krás” Street Food Market, which kicked off last summer. The market is a collaboration of Reykjavík’s finest restaurateurs coming together, creating their version of fine dining street food. This time with an emphasis on the traditional Icelandic Christmas food – but with a twist.

The Childrens' Christmas Workshop

The Childrens' Christmas Workshop will be opened in Reykjavík City Hall on December 5th until January 6th. At the workshop families can sit down and create their own Christmas decorations or explore the Christmas Cave. 

The Three Tenors at Ingólfstorg Square

It’s become a tradition for The Three Tenors to give a concert on December 23rd. This annual concert has attracted a lot of people, as it created an atmosphere of the true Christmas spirit. The concert starts at 21:00 and the shops in Reykjavík City Centre are open until 23:00 this last night before the holidays.

A small child is delighted by the lights on the …

A small child is delighted by the lights on the Oslo tree. Mbl.is/ Styrmir Kári

Children at the Yule town on Ingólfstorg square.

Children at the Yule town on Ingólfstorg square. mbl.is/Kristinn Ingvarsson

The Yule town market on Ingólfstorg square.

The Yule town market on Ingólfstorg square. Golli / Kjartan Þorbjörnsson

The Christmas Creatures are based on the thirteen Icelandic Yule …

The Christmas Creatures are based on the thirteen Icelandic Yule Lads who are strange and boisterous troublemakers who like to entertain children and known for their skills in passing out gifts to well behaved children. Mynd/Reykjavíkurborg

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