Christmas tree lights switched on this Sunday!

The Oslo Tree.

The Oslo Tree. Photo: Golli

The lights on Reykjavik’s main Christmas tree will be switched on this Sunday, 29 November. Festivities will run from 3:30-5 pm.

The capital’s traditional Christmas tree – known among Icelanders as the ‘Oslo tree’ since it is a Norwegian tree gifted to Reykjavik by Oslo City Council – is installed annually in Reykjavik’s Parliament Square (‘Austurvöllur’).

The switching-on of the Christmas tree lights takes place on the first Sunday of Advent and has for decades in the hearts of locals marked the start of Christmas celebrations in Reykjavik.

The festivities kick off at 3:30 pm, and include traditional Christmas songs sung by Icelandic celebrities, Christmas poems, and even a visit from some of Iceland’s traditional Yule Lads, making an appearance to tell children stories and sing along with the Christmas carols.

The Mayor of Reykjavik Dagur B. Eggertsson will officially receive the Christmas tree gift from the Deputy Mayor of Oslo Khams­haj­iny Gun­ar­atnam, after which seven-year-old Icelandic-Norwegian Birk­ir Elías Stef­áns­son will have the honour of switching on the lights.

Coffee and hot chocolate will be served to keep guests warm and parking will be available at Reykjavik City Hall. Festivities will run on until 5 pm.

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