Christmas markets in Iceland: small, dark and worth the cold

Do not come to Iceland expecting a German-style Christmas fair with a hundred stalls and a queue for the sausages. The christmas markets in Iceland are small and mostly packed into Reykjavik and Hafnarfjörður, with a couple of outliers. What they offer instead is a short, cosy evening between two long ones. At the solstice you get only four to five hours of daylight, so a market lit by lamps and fires feels like the right size for the season.

A word on planning. Most 2026 dates below are expected rather than confirmed, because organisers usually announce them in mid-November. Check before you book anything. Roads can also be icy, and the Flybus from Keflavík to Reykjavik takes about 45 minutes, so allow for that on arrival day.

1 Jólaþorpið (Christmas Village), Hafnarfjörður

This is the one I would build a trip around. It is expected to run on Advent weekends until 23 December, although one listing gives 1 to 23 December, so confirm the exact days. The expected hours are Friday 17:00 to 20:00, Saturday and Sunday 13:00 to 18:00, and 23 December 13:00 to 21:00. I could not find an entry price.

The village sits in the centre of Hafnarfjörður and has been running since 2003. Small huts sell Icelandic crafts, design and snacks, there are hot drinks, and a stage hosts entertainment. The Yule Lads often turn up, which children love and adults tolerate happily. Take bus 1 from downtown Reykjavik, about 20 minutes. Go in the afternoon, when you can still see what you are buying.

2 Austurvöllur Christmas market, Reykjavik

Expected from Saturday 28 November, on weekends at first and then daily from 18 to 23 December. Nothing is confirmed yet, and hours have not been published.

You will find it on the square in front of Parliament, around the Christmas tree. Expect food and gift stalls under the tree rather than a big programme. It is the easiest stop in the capital because it is walkable from anywhere central. Treat it as an hour with a hot drink, not a destination in itself.

3 Jólakvosin, Ingólfstorg, Reykjavik

No dates are confirmed for 2026, only that it happens in December. For reference, the 2025 season ran from 30 November to 23 December according to a secondary source, so expect something similar. Hours are not listed.

It sits in Kvosin, beside the ice skating rink on Ingólfstorg. Stalls spread around the square and the old-town streets, and the rink is the real draw. If you want to skate and then browse, this is the practical choice. It is also central and walkable, which matters when the light goes at mid-afternoon.

4 Elliðavatnsbær Christmas market, Heiðmörk

Expected from Saturday 28 November on Advent weekends, from 12:00 to 17:00. I found no information on entry.

This is the market for people who would rather be outdoors. The farmhouse stands in the Heiðmörk forest outside Reykjavik, and the stalls sell handicrafts, natural products and local food, with fires and hot drinks to keep you going. You need a car or a tour to reach it. Check road conditions before you drive, because that is where winter driving gets serious.

5 Christmas at Árbær Open Air Museum, Reykjavik

Expected on Sundays 6 and 13 December, in the afternoons. A museum ticket is required.

This one is different in kind. It shows how Icelanders celebrated Christmas in the old days, so it works as a cultural visit more than a shopping trip. I would pick it if you already like open-air museums, and skip it if you only want stalls. I could not confirm how to get there, so check the museum’s own page.

6 Jólatorg, Akureyri

Expected from around the first Advent weekend and then on weekends until Christmas. Hours have not been published.

Akureyri’s market has decorated huts, Christmas music, a bonfire and live events. It is the only northern option here, and a domestic flight from Reykjavik takes about 45 minutes. Honestly, you would not fly up just for this. If your trip already includes the north, it is a pleasant evening. If not, stay in the south.

How I would plan it

Base yourself in Reykjavik. Spend one weekend afternoon at Hafnarfjörður, one evening around Austurvöllur and the Ingólfstorg rink, and a Sunday at Heiðmörk or Árbær depending on whether you want forest or history. That covers most of what is on offer without a rental car, apart from Heiðmörk.

Confirm dates with the organisers from mid-November. After dark, look for the northern lights if the sky clears. It is a bonus, not a plan, and you should not count on it.

Food and drink to try

Stalls sell laufabrauð, the thin patterned leaf bread, and kleinur, the twisted fried pastries. For something warm, go for hot chocolate or jólaglögg. Cards are accepted almost everywhere, so you do not need to carry much cash.

Christmas markets in Iceland: frequently asked questions

When are the market dates confirmed?

Organisers usually announce final dates in mid-November. Check local schedules before you book transport.

Do I need cash?

No. Cards are accepted almost everywhere at the markets.

How do I get to markets outside Reykjavik?

For Heiðmörk, use a car or book a tour. For Akureyri, take a domestic flight from Reykjavik, which takes about 45 minutes.

If you only have time for one, make it the Christmas Village in Hafnarfjörður. It has the longest history, a proper programme and an easy bus ride from the capital.