Iceland Christmas markets are small, weekend-focused and very local, and most of them sit in and around Reykjavik. In 2026 the main ones are expected to open on Saturday 28 November, the day before the first Sunday of Advent, and to run until 23 December, the day Icelanders call Þorláksmessa.
Most organisers hadn’t confirmed their 2026 dates when we checked, so the dates below follow each market’s usual pattern and last year’s schedule. We’ll update them as they’re announced.
Iceland Christmas Markets 2026 at a Glance
| Market | Where | Expected 2026 dates | Usual hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christmas Village (Jólaþorpið) | Thorsplan, Hafnarfjörður | Advent weekends to 23 Dec | Fri 17:00–20:00, Sat–Sun 13:00–18:00, 23 Dec 13:00–21:00 |
| Austurvöllur Christmas market | Austurvöllur square, Reykjavik | From Sat 28 Nov; weekends, then daily 18–23 Dec | Not yet published |
| Elliðavatnsbær Christmas market | Heiðmörk forest, outside Reykjavik | From Sat 28 Nov; Advent weekends | 12:00–17:00 |
| Christmas at Árbær Open Air Museum | Árbær, Reykjavik | Sundays 6 and 13 Dec | Afternoons; museum ticket needed |
| Jólatorg | Ráðhústorg, Akureyri | From around the first Advent weekend; weekends to Christmas | Not yet published |
Christmas Village in Hafnarfjörður
The best known of the Iceland Christmas markets is Jólaþorpið, the Christmas Village in Hafnarfjörður, a harbour town about 20 minutes from downtown Reykjavik on bus number 1. Rows of small Christmas huts on Thorsplan square sell Icelandic crafts and design, snacks and hot drinks. There’s live entertainment on the stage, and the Yule Lads tend to show up.
It’s only open on Advent weekends (Friday evenings and Saturday and Sunday afternoons) and on 23 December, so plan your trip around those days.
Christmas Markets in Reykjavik
Reykjavik itself has several small markets rather than one big one. The Christmas tree on Austurvöllur, the square in front of the Parliament building, is lit at the start of Advent, and a market with food and gift stalls sets up around it on weekends and then every day in the last week before Christmas. Around Ingólfstorg and the old town streets, Jólakvosin brings more stalls through December.
Just outside the city, the farmhouse at Elliðavatnsbær in Heiðmörk forest holds a market on Advent weekends. Árbær Open Air Museum shows how Icelanders celebrated Christmas in the old days on two Sundays in December. For more detail on the capital, read our guide to Christmas in Reykjavik.
Jólatorg in Akureyri
If you’re heading to North Iceland, Akureyri runs its own Christmas market, Jólatorg, on Ráðhústorg (Town Hall Square). According to Visit Akureyri, it opens around the first weekend of Advent and runs every weekend until Christmas, with decorated huts, Christmas music, a bonfire and live events. Akureyri is about 45 minutes from Reykjavik by domestic flight.
Food, Drink and the Yule Lads
Stalls at Iceland Christmas markets sell a mix of homemade treats and warming drinks. Look out for these:
- Laufabrauð, thin “leaf bread” cut into patterns and fried, a Christmas speciality
- Kleinur, twisted doughnuts
- Hot chocolate and jólaglögg, spiced mulled wine
- Smoked lamb (hangikjöt) and other Christmas foods at nearby restaurants
Iceland has 13 Yule Lads instead of one Santa. The first comes down from the mountains on the night of 12 December and the last on Christmas Eve, so children leave a shoe on the windowsill for 13 nights. Prices everywhere are in Icelandic króna (ISK), and you can pay by card almost anywhere, including at market stalls.
Getting Around in December
The Flybus from Keflavík Airport to Reykjavik takes about 45 minutes. Downtown Reykjavik is walkable, bus 1 goes to Hafnarfjörður, and you’ll want a car or a tour for Heiðmörk. Around the winter solstice Reykjavik gets only four to five hours of daylight, roads can be icy, and the weather changes fast. Check road and weather conditions before driving, and use Visit Reykjavík for the latest event listings.
Luggage Storage for Iceland Christmas Markets
Many visitors land in the early morning or have a day between a hotel checkout and a late flight. Radical Storage has partner locations in downtown Reykjavik, so you can find luggage storage near Austurvöllur, drop your bags and see the markets without them.
You book online in a minute. Every bag is protected up to €10,000, cancellation is free, and travellers rate the service 4.8/5. With 16.5K+ locations in 2.3K+ cities, it works on the rest of your trip too.
Iceland Christmas Markets FAQ
Most are expected to open on Saturday 28 November 2026, the first Advent weekend, and run until 23 December. Many are only open at weekends.
The Christmas Village (Jólaþorpið) in Hafnarfjörður is the best known. It opens on Advent weekends and on 23 December.
Take bus number 1 from downtown Reykjavik. The ride takes about 20 minutes.
They are 13 mischievous figures from Icelandic folklore. One arrives each night from 12 December until Christmas Eve, and they often visit the Christmas markets.
Radical Storage has partner locations in downtown Reykjavik. Book online, drop your bags and collect them later. Each bag is protected up to €10,000 and cancellation is free.
No. Prices are in Icelandic króna (ISK) and cards are accepted almost everywhere in Iceland, including at market stalls.