Reykjavik Christmas Guide 2016 by MD Reykjavik

HRISTMAS GUIDE 2016

ICELANDIC HOLIDAY TRADITIONS

DAYS OF ICELANDIC CHRISTMAS

THE YULELADS AND FAMILY

NEW YEARS EVE IN ICELAND

CHRISTMAS CONCERTS

CHRISTMAS SHOPPING

HOLIDAY OPENING HOURS

WINTER TOURS AND ACTIVITIES

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Volcano House Show & Exhibition Volcano House features two documentaries that focus on the most famous eruptions of Iceland, including Vestmannaeyjar in 1973 and Eyjafjallajökull in 2010, as well as talking about the causes and effects of Icelandic volcanology in general. The Volcano House includes a FREE “hands on” geology exhibition featuring many different mineral samples, such as lava from the 2014 eruption of Bárðabunga and ash from the eruption of Eyjafjallajökull.

Christmas Opening Hours Dec 23rd 10-22 / Dec 24th 10-14 / Dec 25th 10-17 / Dec 26th 10-22 / Dec 31st 10-17 / Jan 1st 10-22 “Friendly staff - excellent documentary” Due to weather and unfamiliarity with Reykjavik we arrived just after the last show started and were told that we could go in right away and pay after the show. In my opinion everyone should visit and watch this show. jdsteven, Colorado

VOLCANO HOUSE Volcano Cinema and Geological Exhibition in Downtown Reykjavik, next to the Old Harbour. Open every day 10:00-21:00 / Show time every hour, on the hour. Tryggvagata 11, 101 Reykjavík | (+354) 555 1900 | www.volcanohouse.is

REYKJAVÍK CHRISTMAS GUIDE 2016 HOLIDAY TRADITIONS

6-13

CHRISTMAS CALENDAR

14-15

THE YULELADS

16-21

HALLGRÍMSKIRKJA 22-23 NEW YEARS EVE

24-27

ICELANDIC CHRISTMAS ALE 28-29 TOURS AND ACTIVITIES

30-37

CHRISTMAS CITY

38-47

CHRISTMAS SHOPPING

48-51

OPENING HOURS

52-65

CHRISTMAS CONCERTS

66-71

TOP 10 DECEMBER ACTIVITIES 72

Published by MD Reykjavík ehf.

Managing Editor:

Laugavegur 3, 101 Reykjavík.

Hjörtur Atli Guðmunds. Geirdal,

Publisher: Sigurþór Marteinn,

hjortur@whatson.is, Tel.:847-4153.

sm@whatson.is , Tel.: 899-2255. Printing: Oddi, Ecolabelled Printing

Editor: Gréta Sigríður Einarsdóttir, greta@whatson.is

Company

Layout & design: Stefán Birgir Stefáns,

© MD Reykjavík All right reserved. No part of this work covered by the copyright may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means – without the written permission of the authors and the publisher. Other publications by MD Reykjavík; Reykjavík City Guide, Reykjavík City Map, Akureyri Guide, What‘s On in Reykjavík and the My Destination Reykjavík Magazine.

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I C E CO L A

B EL

Authors have taken all reasonable care in preparing this handbook, but make no guarantee about the accuracy or completeness of its content.

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IT’S ALL ABOUT TRADITION Traditions, new and old, are what makes holidays so special. Eating a chocolate Easter egg at Easter, or blowing out the candles on your birthday are the things that take a celebration from nice to festive. Christmas, being the most important holiday of them all in Iceland, is so laden with traditions, it takes us more than a month to cover them all.

AÐVENTA The Advent begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas and marks the official start of the Christmas season in Iceland! It is when things start getting magical, with lights shining through the winter darkness, concerts and celebrations, and festive spirits. People decorate their houses, the official city Christmas tree is lit and the city centre is filled with people attending Christmas events and doing their Christmas shopping.

ADVENT LIGHTS Come late November, Advent lights – arguably the most popular of the Icelandic Christmas decorations –are staples in most Icelandic homes. There are two types of Advent lights: the Advent Wreath with four candles, one lit on each Sunday of Advent, and the triangle-shaped, seven-candle electric candelabra, which are popular Christmas decorations all over Scandinavia.

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COOKIES The baking of cookies for Christmas used to be the barometer of domestic excellence in Iceland. Throughout the country, Icelandic homemakers work overtime to bake a dizzying number of different cookie sorts – and are not above boasting about it. Baking six sorts normally generates applause, 12 sorts is regarded with such awe that it is like announcing you just climbed Mount Everest in high heels.

CHRISTMAS TREE Christmas trees in Iceland used to be made of wood and decorated with juniper branches to resemble a real Christmas tree, mostly because there just weren’t that many trees we could cut down. Today most Icelanders use real trees, as opposed to artificial ones. The tradition is to decorate them just a day or two before Christmas, on the 23rd, or even on Christmas Eve day. They then stay up for the 13 days of Christmas and are taken down, along with all other Christmas decorations on January 6th – Twelfth night.

LAUFABRAUÐ Laufabrauð, literally ‘leaf bread’, are round, waferthin deep-fried wheat cakes with intricate decorative patterns. They’re delicious served with butter and add a festive touch to Christmas dinner and Christmas parties. During Advent, families and friends often get together to make Laufabrauð as cutting the patterns is delicate and timeconsuming work. Frequently they will throw their artistic skills into the mix, resulting in some very fine specimens that are considered too pretty to eat and tied up with red ribbons and hung as decorations.

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FOOD, GLORIOUS FOOD

CHRISTMAS BUFFET

For many centuries, smoked lamb, or hangikjöt, was the traditional gourmet Christmas meal. This has changed in the last few decades, however, you have some options for Christmas dinner. Most families tend to stick to one single tradition for their Christmas meal. Popular fare at Christmas includes rjúpa, or rock ptarmigan, and hamborgarhryggur, glazed rack of ham, traditionally a Danish meal. Also, catching on in the last few years are reindeer, turkey, and even Beef Wellington.

One of the unshakable traditions of Advent in Iceland is the Christmas buffet. Most restaurants offer them and almost everyone will partake at least once during Advent. These are lavish affairs typically containing dozens of dishes, different types of herring, smoked and cured salmon, reindeer pâté, smoked puffin and much, much more … and that’s just the cold dishes. Hot dishes will normally include the ubiquitous smoked lamb, roast pork with rind, rack of ham, turkey, and more. And let’s not even mention the stacked dessert buffet.

THE BOOK FLOOD Iceland sells more books per capita than any other nation in the world, and the vast majority of them are sold in the lead-up to Christmas. In Iceland, this is known as the Christmas Book Flood. The tradition in Iceland is that everyone must receive at least one book for Christmas to take to bed on Christmas Eve along with some chocolates. So beginning in November, hundreds of books are published and the talk is all about books, Once Christmas is over and the books have been read, everyone’s a critic, giving their views and opinions of that latest tome and whether it is as good, or better, as the author’s last one.

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TRY SOMETHING DIFFERENT THIS CHRISTMAS

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THE ESSENTIAL CHRISTMAS DRINK Iceland’s traditional Christmas drink is a mixture of the locally produced Maltöl and Appelsín (orange soda). Each family member tends to have his or her own opinion on what constitutes the perfect mixture of the two: 50/50 or 60/40, Appelsín first or Malt first? Debates can go on for hours, days or even years. What do you think? Pick up a can/bottle of each and experiment!

APPLES Iceland considers a lot of things to be Christmassy. Shoes in windows, a child-eating cat, fermented skate, and apples. Of all those things, the apples are actually the easiest to explain. Fruit used to be a luxury item, as they all had to be imported to Iceland. They also arrived to Iceland just before Christmas, so they became a natural part of the Christmas celebrations and many of the older generation still fondly remember receiving a gleaming red apple as a Christmas treat. We can get apples all year round now but there’s still something special about a Christmas apple.

A GIFT IN THE SHOE The Icelandic Yule lads, though traditionally known for being troublemakers, have picked up a habit of leaving presents for well behaving children. When the lads start coming to town, one by one, for the last thirteen days before Christmas, children leave their shoe in the window before they go to sleep. When they wake up, they find a gift or a treat in their shoe. If they’ve been good, that is. If they haven’t, all they can expect is an old potato

FERMENTED SKATE DAY Skötuveislur or fermented skate parties are without a doubt one of the more bizarre Icelandic traditions. Every year on December 23, Icelanders get together and eat skate (the fish) that has been sitting in a closed container and allowed to ferment for a month or more. By that time, it has a smell that will clear your sinuses from about a mile away. The main headache is how to get the smell out of your house before the bells start ringing in Christmas. As a result, many people choose to partake of this delicacy in a restaurant, or alternatively cook it in the garage or even outdoors. Predictably, not everyone is partial to this tradition.

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NEW YEAR’S BONFIRES On New Year’s Eve, bonfires are lit throughout the country to symbolize the burning of the old year and its sins. There’s always a really great atmosphere at these “brennur”, kids with sparklers, happy faces, friends and neighbours mingling, and the heat of the fire mixed with the winter cold. Since the brennur are not always easy for foreign visitors to find, in recent years, tour operators have started organizing special tours to get them involved in the fun.

TWELFTH NIGHT According to folklore, strange and magical things took place on the Twelfth Night (January 6th) and could be dangerous for humans. Cows started talking (although people were warned not to listen to them because their talk would drive them mad), seals shed their skins and walked as men, and the elves moved house. People make sure to keep every corner of their house well-lit on Twelfth Night in case the elves stop by on their way. Today, the tradition lives on in Twelfth Night bonfires where the “elf king and queen” will often make an appearance. Families flock to the bonfires and sing New Year’s songs, often containing lots of references to elves.

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— THE ICELANDIC — CHRISTMAS CALENDAR ÞORLÁKSMESSA (ST. THORLAKUR’S DAY) DECEMBER 23RD Þorláksmessa is the day of Iceland’s patron saint. It’s the last day before Christmas is celebrated, so for most people this is the height of Christmas preparation. It’s the biggest shopping day of the year as people spend the day getting the last few gifts for Christmas! A peculiar Þorláksmessa custom is eating fermented skate. The sinusclearing aroma and funky taste of the skate is an acquired taste, but the idea is that it will make the Christmas feast the next day taste even sweeter!

AÐFANGADAGSKVÖLD (CHRISTMAS EVE) DECEMBER 24TH In Iceland, Christmas Eve is the most important night of celebration. Christmas officially begins at 6 pm sharp. By that time most of the nation is washed and dressed in their best clothes (ideally new clothes, to escape the Christmas Cat) and ready to sit down to Christmas dinner. This is a very intimate and festive evening that Icelanders normally spend only with their nearest and dearest. After dinner people relocate to the Christmas tree to open presents.

JÓLADAGUR (CHRISTMAS DAY) DECEMBER 25TH As the main feast is already over by the time Christmas day rolls around, most people spend the day lazing around, reading the newest books they got for Christmas, or visiting the graves of departed loved ones. It’s also a day for Christmas parties, however, when people get together with their extended families, eat hangikjöt (smoked lamb) and laufabrauð, and celebrate Christmas together.

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ANNAR Í JÓLUM (SECOND DAY OF CHRISTMAS) DECEMBER 26TH Iceland has a public holiday the day after Christmas day, which is simply called the Second Day of Christmas. It’s pretty much the same as Christmas day, but this time the Christmas party is with the other part of your family. Also, on the Second Day of Christmas, many people figure they’ve spent quite enough time with their families and duck out of the Christmas party early to go partying.

GAMLÁRSDAGUR (NEW YEAR’S EVE) DECEMBER 31ST New Year’s Eve is a major event on the Icelandic social calendar. The fun begins around 6 pm when most people have a big festive dinner, after which they head out to a bonfire, or brenna, to mingle and socialize. At 22:30 it is time for the eagerly awaited “Áramótaskaup” (New Year’s Jest) – an hour-long comedy special on TV. More than 90% of the Icelandic nation watches the “Áramótaskaup” so the streets are virtually deserted while it is on. The New Year’s madness starts to build as soon as when the final credits roll, and at midnight all hell breaks loose. In Iceland fireworks are sold unrestricted to the public between Christmas and New Years, and this small nation of 320,000 people manages to fire off over 500 tons of fireworks on New Year’s Eve.

ÞRETTÁNDINN (TWELFT NIGHT) JANUARY 6TH If you didn’t quench your thirst for arson and explosions on New Year’s Eve, don’t worry, just wait till Þrettándinn (Twelfth Night)! There’s a lot of superstition regarding Þrettándinn. The last Yule lad heads back to the mountains, the elves and the hidden people move house (keep your lights on the whole night so they don’t settle in one of your dark corners), cows speak, and seals leave their skin to walk on land as men. There’s usually a bonfire where people can finish of the last of their fireworks and the kids get a visit from the elf king and queen.

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INTRODUCING THE YULE LADS Most countries where Christmas is celebrated have their own version of a benevolent person, creature, or thing, that gives children treats around Christmastime. Italy has a Christmas witch, Spain has a present-pooping log, and America and the UK have, of course, Santa Claus. Iceland, however, takes things a little bit further; we have thirteen Yule lads, each with their own definitive character. They live in a cave in an undisclosed location in the mountains with their mother, the formidable Grýla, her wimpy husband, Leppalúði, and the Christmas Cat.

GRÝLA Grýla is an Icelandic troll who eats naughty children. She lives in a cave and always has a pot of boiling water at the ready, should she hear of some exceptionally badly behaved children. Grýla also travels with a large sack for convenient transport of the children she catches. (it should be noted that Icelandic trolls are different from the Norwegian ones and nothing like the internet ones either. Think large and mountain-like.)

LEPPALÚÐI Grýla’s third husband is not known for anything much, except for being really lazy. He doesn’t travel like the rest of his family, just sits around the cave waiting for Grýla to bring him food. His name has become synonymous with being extremely ugly and/or poorly dressed.

CHRISTMAS CAT It sounds like a cosy story but the Christmas cat is actually the sinister sidekick of the ghastly child-eating Grýla. “Jólakötturinn”, the Christmas Cat, lives with her and her wuss of a husband in their cave and every person who does not get a new item of clothing for Christmas ends up in his belly. This absolutely does not make any sense but it’s a good excuse to go shopping at least.

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THE YULE LADS

DRAWINGS BY ELÍN ELÍSABET EINARSDÓTTIR The Icelandic Yule Lads are the thirteen sons of Grýla (the folklore is not really clear on their paternity, as Leppalúði is her third husband). In the Iceland of yore, they were an incredible nuisance and brought grief to the general populace, stealing food and pranking people, whereas today they’ve morphed into the kinder, gentler Yule Lads who bring gifts for kiddies who have been good and deposit them in their shoes.

STEKKJASTAUR SHEEP-COTE CLOD / DEC. 12TH Due to his affinity for sheep milk, Stekkjastaur spends most of his time among the humans breaking into the sheep pens and trying to suckle the ewes. He is resilient in his efforts despite his disability, his two peg legs that make crawling into the sheep pens challenging.

GILJAGAUR GULLY GAWK / DEC. 13TH

STEKKJASTAUR

Another fan of dairy products, Giljagaur is a bit more patient and cunning in his attempts at milk theft. He doesn’t try to go straight to the cow’s udders but waits until the farm workers are distracted before he swoops in and slurps the froth off the fresh milk.

STÚFUR STUB / DEC. 14TH Stúfur is named for his height - or lack thereof. For some reason, he considers burnt bits of food that get stuck to the pan a particular delicacy and goes so far as to raid kitchens for dirty pans to get his hands on the good stuff.

ÞVÖRUSLEIKIR SPOON LICKER / DEC. 15TH Þvörusleikir is extremely tall and skinny, which might have had some influence on his love for wooden spoons. He waits patiently for the work to be finished in the kitchen before he, quick as a flash, grabs the dirty spoons and licks them.

STÚFUR

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POTTASKEFILL POT LICKER / DEC. 16TH Like Stúfur, this Yule Lad also likes to lick the remains from the inside of the pots. His crimes are simple but thought-out; he knocks at the door, and when the inhabitants rush to see who it is, he sneaks into the kitchen and cleans out the pots.

HURÐASKELLIR

ASKASLEIKIR BOWL LICKER / DEC. 17TH In the old days, Icelanders ate their food from a lidded wooden bowl called askur. Askasleikir would creep in, hide, and snatch the askar whenever they were put aside, licking their insides clean. Since most people have upgraded to plates, he probably has too, but still keeps his name, for old times’ sake.

HURÐASKELLIR DOOR SLAMMER / DEC. 18TH Waking up is never pleasant, and being woken by a loud noise such as a door slamming is even less so. For some reason, Hurðaskellir thinks this is hilarious and goes through town slamming doors for his own amusement.

SKYRGÁMUR SKYR GOBBLER / DEC 19TH For the uninitiated, skyr (pron. skeer) is a dairy product, halfway between cheese and yoghurt. It’s fat-free, high in protein, and delicious! That should explain both Skyrgámur’s size (he’s said to be the size of a bull) and his habit of eating other people’s skyr.

BJÚGNAKRÆKIR SAUSAGE SWIPER /DEC 20TH

BJÚGNAKRÆKIR

Many of the yule lads like to steal food but they’re picky about what they want to take. Bjúga is a salty, smoked Icelandic sausage, a favourite of Bjúgnakrækir. He loves them so much, he doesn’t mind crawling through soot and smoke to get them.

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GLUGGAGÆGIR WINDOW PEEPER / DEC 21ST Again, the name really says it all. However, it’s important to note that his intentions, although not honourable, are mostly food-related. He only peeps in windows in order to locate food he could possibly steal.

GÁTTAÞEFUR DOOR SNIFFER / DEC 22ND

GÁTTAÞEFUR

Gáttaþefur was from birth blessed with a huge nose, heightened olfactory senses, as well as the ability to never catch a cold. He is, as so many other Icelanders, partial to laufabrauð, and uses his abnormally large nose to sniff out its hiding places.

KETKRÓKUR MEAT HOOK / DEC 23RD It’s obvious that some of the Yule Lads are more industrious and clever than others. Ketkrókur, for example, travels around with a long stick with a hook at the end, perfect for sticking it down chimneys in order to steal meat, preferably hangikjöt (smoked lamb).

KERTASNÍKIR CANDLE BEGGAR / DEC 24TH One of the few Yule Lads not constantly occupied with food, Kertasníkir instead enjoys stealing candles, preferably from children. This seems especially mean when you know that in the old days every kid usually got a nice candle at Christmas and sometimes not much else.

FIND MORE INFO ON THE ICELANDIC YULE LADS ON CHRISTMASINICELAND.IS

KERTASNÍKIR

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CHRISTMAS MUSIC IN HALLGRÍMSKIRKJA Every year in December, festive Christmas and Advent music takes centre stage in Hallgrímskirkja Church in Reykjavík during the annual Hallgrímskirkja Christmas Music Festival. This year is no exception with the 2016 version providing a dazzling and diverse array of choral, organ and instrumental music that will bring good cheer to all attendees. On Sunday, December, the 11th at 5pm, there will be an organ concert, “NOËL, NOËL!” where Björn Steinar Sólbergsson, organist at Hallgrímskirkja will play Christmas Music on the magnificent Klais Organ. Between Christmas and New Year a true highlight of the Christmas Music Festival will take place when the Hallgrímskirkja chamber choir Schola Cantorum will perform J. S. Bach’s Christmas Oratorio along with the renowned Hallgrímskirkja Baroque Orchestra led by concertmaster Tuomo Suni , and some wonderful young solo singers, most of them members of the choir: Thelma Hrönn Sigurdórsdóttir soprano, Hildigunnur Einarsdóttir alto, Benedikt Kristjánsson tenor and Fjölnir Ólafsson bass. There will be two performances, on Thursday the 29th of December at 8pm and Friday the 30th of December at 8 pm. The conductor is Hörður Áskelsson.

Finally, on New Year’s Eve, at 4:30 pm, the highly popular “Festive Sounds” concert returns to welcome the New Year. Ásgeir H. Steingrímsson, Eiríkur Örn Pálsson and Einar St. Jónsson trumpet players, Eggert Pálsson timpanist and Björn Steinar Sólbergsson organist will perform a selection of highly popular pieces such as Toccata and Fugue in d- minor by J. S. Bach and Albinoni’s Adagio. This concert is a big favourite among music devotees in Hallgrímskirkja and has taken place every year since 1992. Tickets for all events are available in Hallgrímskirkja (Telephone: 511-1000) and online at www.tix.is

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HALLGRÍMSKIRKJA CHRISTMAS MUSIC FESTIVAL 2016

J.S. Bach

CHRISTMAS ORATORIO I-III BWV 248

Thursday December 29 at 8 pm Friday December 30 at 5 pm Bach's Christmas Oratorio is one of the most loved Christmas pieces of all times, and will be performed at a concert celebrating the 20th anniversary of Hallgrímskirkja’s multi-prized chamber choir, Schola Cantorum (1996-2016). Three of the soloists are members of the choir, but the evangelist is performed by Benedikt Kristjánsson, a much acclaimed tenor around the world today. The Hallgrimskirkja International Baroque Orchestra is comprised of some of the finest musicians around the world. Performers: Schola cantorum chamber choir of Hallgrímskirkja, The Hallgrimskirkja International Baroque Orchestra, concertmaster Tuomo Suni (FI), Thelma Hrönn Sigurdórsdóttir soprano, Hildigunnur Einarsdóttir alto, Benedikt Kristjánsson tenor, Fjölnir Ólafsson bass. Conductor Hörður Áskelsson Music Director of Hallgrímskirkja. Admission: ISK 9.500 / 6.500.

Festive music for three trumpets, timpani and organ. Famous works by J.S.Bach ( Toccata and Fugue in d- minor), Albinoni (Adagio), Charpentier and more.

FESTIVE SOUNDS AT NEW YEARS EVE!

Ásgeir H. Steingrímsson, Eiríkur Örn Pálsson, Einar December 31, New Years Eve 4.30 pm St. Jónsson trumpets, Eggert Pálsson timpani and Björn Steinar Sólbergsson, organist at Hallgrimskirkja. The New Years mood is set by the Festive Sounds by these long time musical partners. This hugely popular concert has been performed for a full house on the last day of the year since the inauguration of the Klais organ in 1992. Admission ISK 3.900 . Ticket sales at Hallgrímskirkja, tel. 510 1000 and online on TIX.IS. LISTVINAFELAG.IS - SCHOLACANTORUM.IS

WHAT ARE YOU DOING NEW YEARS EVE? When Christmas Eve has come and gone, you’ve been to all the family parties, eaten all the cookies and opened all the presents, what’s there to look forward to? New Year’s Eve, that’s what. If you are a kid (or a grown-up with a moderate to severe interest in lighting fires), New Year’s Eve can be just as fun as Christmas, especially in Iceland!

A FAMILY AFFAIR (AT FIRST) New Year’s Eve in Iceland is the party night of the year. This might not be completely clear in the early part of the evening, because the majority of Icelanders use that time to get together with family and/or friends, eat something fantastic (turkey has become popular), and watch the annual comedy revue on television. Things only start to get going once they get their hands on some fireworks and start doing their best to blow up the neighbour‘s house, just before or around midnight.

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ÁRAMÓTASKAUPIÐ IS A BIG DEAL Just how big of a deal can a comedy special broadcast by the national broadcasting company be, you ask? Well, in 2002, for example, 95% of the population was watching. This 50-minute comedy special satirising the year’s most prominent events has been on since 1966, which incidentally is the year the RÚV started broadcasting. I think there might be something broadcast on the other stations, but I can’t be sure, I’ve never seen it at least. All conversations in Iceland on New Year’s day tend to start with a dissection of how funny (or not funny at all) the New Year’s Jest was.

COME ON, BABY, LIGHT MY FIRE There is a reason for our burning desire to set things on fire, as there is an old superstition that says you have to burn away the old year in order to wake up on New Year’s day with a clean slate. Just in case the fireworks aren’t enough, we also have a New Year’s Eve bonfire. Since the bonfire promises to burn away the sins of the year gone by, you can imagine how popular it is. Most towns have one, of varying sizes, Reykjavík has 10. Most of them are lit around 8.30 pm. That’s after dinner, but before the New Year’s Jest (Áramótaskaupið) starts.

THE PARTY PART This might surprise you, but it‘s actually not until after midnight that the actual party gets started. After the fireworks have been lit and hot chocolate has been had with older family members, that’s when people put on their glitter hats, get their confetti bombs ready and head out, drink in one hand, and a lit sparkler in the other. House parties are popular, and downtown Reykjavík quickly starts filling up with eager partygoers. Be sure to put on your party hat and your dancing shoes, you’re going to have a hard time keeping up with the Icelanders!

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PROMOTION

ICELANDIC CHRISTMAS ALE The tradition of brewing beer specifically for Christmas is a Scandinavian one. King Haakon of Norway issued a decree as early as the 10th century that beer would be brewed for the heathen feast of Yule, which was celebrated around the winter solstice (Dec 22.). For centuries, Christmas beers were more than a tradition, it was the law!

do with Brennivín and other strong liquors). Since 1989, beer has become the most popular alcoholic beverage in Iceland and Iceland’s breweries are top notch. And, of course, no selfrespecting Nordic brewery could miss out on brewing a Christmas beer!

The custom of making Christmas beers spread all over the world and it’s no wonder, really; when people are treating themselves to a feast of the best food they can think of, of course they want to wash it down with an equally delicious drink! Christmas beers also tend to go well with smoked, salted, and other heavy foods traditionally served around Christmastime. In Iceland, of course, beer was banned for most of the 20th century, as the prohibition was only lifted in 1989! (For most of the time, we had to make

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JÓLA-GULL Gull is one of the most sold beers in Iceland and the Christmas version is no slouch either. An Icelandic Christmas beer through and through, Jólagull is a lager-style beer, brewed with chocolate malt. With a lightly toasted aroma and a mellow flavour with notes of caramel and chocolate, this beer will have you singing Christmas carols in no time! Perfect for pairing with the Christmas roast, or just for drinking on its own!.

MALT Maltöl is one of the first sodas ever produced in Iceland and an essential ingredient in the Icelandic Christmas drink, Malt & Appelsín. The Malt Christmas beer is a slightly more adult version of that popular drink! The sweet, rich taste of Malt already makes you think of Christmas and the more rounded flavour of the Christmas beer makes it perfect for sipping with dinner or with gingerbread cookies!

BOLI DOBBELBOCK The soft, warm flavour of Boli Dobbelbock feels like a warm hug while notes of chocolate, caramel, and coffee delight the tastebuds. Boli Dobbelbock is best drunk next to a roaring fire and a Christmas tree, although in a pinch, a candle and a branch of pine will do.

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TOURS AND ACTIVITIES DURING CHRISTMAS Winter in Iceland is almost nothing like summer in Iceland. The waterfalls that looked impressive surrounded by green grass in summer, are an unforgettable sight in icy cages on a frosty winter morning. And let’s not forget, it’s only at winter that the spectacular Northern Lights come out to play. There is something for everyone when it comes to travel options from Reykjavík in the winter. Whether you’re looking for nature and scenery or some thrilling action, it’s all within day’s reach from the capital.

THE AMAZING NORTHERN LIGHTS A spectacular phenomenon, and although there’s unfortunately never a guarantee you’ll see them on your trip, you can at least enlist the help of the locals who know best. Here are some tips: make sure the sky is dark and clear, try your best to be patient, and since you have to be patient, wear warm clothes! There are a number of Northern Lights tours available on christmas.tourdesk.is, where you can go by boat, bus or even a massive super jeep. Another thing to think about is making the most of the day by combining the Northern Lights hunt with another activity during the day, such as going on a glacier hike, getting a lobster dinner, or even making a trip of it and drive to the stunning glacial lagoon, Jökulsárlón. That way your time on the tour is always well spent and no one leaves without having a new and exciting experience!

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GLACIER CLIMBING AND GLACIER HIKING For those who are not afraid of something more physically strenuous, taking a walk on top of a glacier is sure to be a trip to remember. One of the things that make Iceland so unique is the proximity of Reykjavík and other towns to awe-inspiring glaciers. Keep in mind, however, that to explore the glacier, you need to travel with an experienced guide, otherwise it’s just too dangerous. On christmas.tourdesk.is you’ll find some very interesting glacier walks of various difficulties and lengths. Everyone should be able to find something to fit their needs and physical fitness.

SAFETY FIRST

Before you even consider traveling in Iceland during winter, it’s vital to remember that it requires a lot more care than traveling in summer, especially because the weather has a tendency to change suddenly. On a perfectly regular Sunday morning, it’s not unusual to experience a hailstorm, followed by blinding sunlight, followed by sleet, followed by a freak blizzard, followed by a complete calm followed by torrential rain. All within an hour. Be sure to check the forecast before you set out, wear warm clothing, preferably in layers, and consult with the locals, they know how to deal with our temperamental climate.

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SNOWMOBILING ON A GLACIER Not all travelers are content just watching the natural wonders Iceland has to offer from a distance, and prefer to get up close and personal instead. For those people, I have only 4 words. Snowmobiling on a glacier. This is a great opportunity for the adventure-seeking traveler who wants to explore a glacier first hand. Langjökull (the country’s second largest glacier) is only approx. 2.5 hours’ drive from the capital and tours run there every day, all year. Once there, you get a chance to see the breathtaking Icelandic interior in a way few people ever experience, e.g. views from the flanks of Langjökull from locations you can only access on specialized vehicles like snowmobiles. Snowmobiling can even be coupled with classic day tours such as the ever popular Golden Circle, allowing you to see all the highlights of Icelandic nature in a single day.

THE SOUTH COAST The south coast not only has some of Iceland’s most beautiful scenery, but it also has some of Iceland’s most diverse landscapes. It’s no wonder that a tour that takes travelers past striking waterfalls, seemingly endless stretches of volcanic black sand beaches, and a quaint little local village called Vík, as well as offering people a chance to explore a glacier up close, comes heavily recommended.

TRY FLYING! If you don’t have a lot of time, or if you’re just feeling luxurious, exploring Iceland from the air is one of the best possible ways to see everything the country has to offer. With no tedious driving between natural wonders, taking a ride in a helicopter or an aeroplane is all thrills, all the time! You even get to visit places you can’t really get to unless you’re prepared to hike for hours! If helicopters and planes don’t take your fancy, try paragliding!

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Happy

Holidays

Daily tours

all year round

Tel. (+354) 580 9900 ice@mountaineers.is www.mountaineers.is

THE GOLDEN CIRCLE It’s the most popular day tour in Iceland, probably because it features some of the most impressive natural phenomena in the country, but you can still get back to the city before dark. The first stop is the Geysir geothermal area. Close by is one of Iceland’s most powerful and majestic waterfalls, Gullfoss, the Golden Waterfall. The Golden Circle tour then comes to an end with a stop at Þingvellir national park. It’s an area that’s impressive, both historically and geographically as it is the spot where the tectonic plates of Europe and America meet, creating some stunning views. For those who are interested, Þingvellir is also a world-renowned diving site!

ACTIVITIES IN TOWN Nature can be beautiful this time of year, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of things to do within the city limits, especially when the weather is acting up. The museums of Reykjavík, both art- and history, can be a very rewarding experience for the culturally minded. After nurturing the mind in the museums, the geothermally heated swimming pools of Reykjavík can take care of the body with a relaxing soak in the hot tubs. Afterwards, there are several great restaurants scattered throughout the centre and plenty of Christmas concerts and other events to keep you occupied.

HORSEBACK RIDING The Icelandic horse is a breed unlike any other in the world. It’s been bred in complete isolation since the 11th century, a feat only accomplished because of Iceland’s isolation. Small and extremely welltempered, the Icelandic horse is known for its unique gait the “tölt”, an unusual gait where the horse seems to crouch down and slide over rough landscapes like lava fields. You’ll find a variety of tours on christmas.tourdesk.is for all levels of expertise as well as a perfect opportunity to test drive the “tölt”.

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ELDING

Adventure at Sea

WHALES - DOLPHINS IN DECEMBER Daily departures in December: 13:00 Duration: 3-5 hours

NEW YEAR’S EVE CRUISE 31 December 2016

Departure: 22:30 Duration: 2 hrs.

NORTHERN LIGHTS CRUISE Daily departures in December: 21:00 Duration: 1.5-2.5 hours

Elding Adventures at Sea | Old Harbour 101 Reykjavík | Iceland Tel: (+354) 519 5000 elding@elding.is | www.elding.is

INTO THE GLACIER If you’re not content with hiking or driving ON the glacier, why not just go straight into it? The newest addition to the flora of glacier tours is the man-made ice cave in Langjökull, a tunnel through the inside of a glacier, where you can see into a glacial crevasse from the bottom up. On the way there you get to enjoy the beauty of West Iceland, the highlight probably being Hraunfossar, where the river flows from underneath the edge of a lava field, over red cliffs worn smooth by the water.

WHALE WATCHING Observing the giants of the ocean is a profound experience you really shouldn’t miss. There are 23 species of whales in the ocean around Iceland, though some are more common than others. The largest whale you might spot is the Blue Whale – the largest mammal that ever lived. Even though it’s the middle of the winter, you can still book a whale watching tour straight from Reykjavík with a pickup service right to your hotel. Just make sure you’re dressed warmly and enjoy the ride! Varied tours available on christmas.tourdesk.is. P.s. if you prefer not to go out to sea, check out the Whale museum by the old harbour!

This guy wants to meet you this Christmas!

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TAKING THE DETOUR, NOT THE TOUR: PRICELESS Enjoy your stay in Iceland, where you are as welcome as your MastercardÂ®

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REYKJAVIK CHRISTMAS CITY Each December, Reykjavik is transformed into a magical Christmas city. There are fun Christmas events involving everything from culture to food, horse riding to sailing, singing to shopping all over the city, but some places are even more festive than others. Check out all the festive areas in the city and partake in our holiday joy!

ICE-SKATING AT INGÓLFSTORG SQUARE IN DECEMBER Where: Elliðavatn, 25 min. drive from downtown Reykjavík. When: Open every day from 1222, until Jan 1st. Admission: Free NOVA has again joined forces with SAMSUNG and the city of Reykjavík to open an ice-skating rink on Ingólfstorg Square. In addition to the Ingólfstorg iceskating rink, a Christmas market will be also located at Ingólfstorg Square surrounding the ice rink, where both refreshments and merchandise will be for sale. Helmets and skates can be rented on-site.

CHRISTMAS VALLEY Where: Laugardalur When: In December, opening hours vary. Admission: Price of admission varies In December, the whole family can have fun together in Laugardalur Christmas Valley, where Christmas lights and decorations set the mood for a festive Advent. Prepare for a day out, visiting the animals in Reykjavík Family Park and Zoo and ice-skating around a decorated Christmas tree at the Skautahöll skatingrink. If you’re in the valley, you might want to use the opportunity to visit Ásmundarsafn Sculpture Museum, walk around the Botanic Garden, stop by Flóran Café for a cup of hot chocolate, or go for a nice swim in Laugardalslaug thermal-pool. Flóran Café has a Christmas buffet until Christmas, every Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

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HAFNARFJÖRÐUR CHRISTMAS VILLAGE Where: Hafnarfjörður, 20 min from downtown Reykjavík with bus no. 1 When: Weekends until Christmas from 12:00 to 17:00 Admission: Free Hafnarfjörður - The Christmas Village has been evolving for years and has now reached a point where the whole downtown area of Hafnarfjörður becomes one big Christmas Village during Advent. Hafnarfjörður residents and local companies will participate in making this year’s Christmas Village the biggest one yet. As usual, the Christmas houses on the Thorsplan plaza will house a Christmas market, there will be plenty of concerts and events, and people will be able to take a ride in a horse-drawn carriage!

CHRISTMAS PROGRAM AT ÁRBÆR OPEN AIR MUSEUM Where: Árbær Open Air Museum, Kistuhyl, 110 Reykjavík When: Sundays December 4th, 11th and 18th from 13:00 to 17:00 Admission: 1500, under 18 and over 70 free. Further information: reykjavikcitymuseum.is Immerse yourself in the sights, smells and sounds of a traditional Icelandic Christmas at Árbær Open Air Museum. Visitors, both young and old, will enjoy experiencing the Christmas preparations and the celebration of days gone by with activities including the preparation of traditional Icelandic Christmas food, and crafts, such as candle making and Laufabrauð cutting. Watch out for those playful Yule Lads (traditional Icelandic Santa Clauses) who may peep through the windows or play tricks on guests. Traditional Christmas sweets will be on offer in the general store, hot chocolate at the Museum Café and much more. Free entry for those with a Reykjavík City Card.

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CHRISTMAS CREATURES OF REYKJAVÍK AT THE REYKJAVÍK ART MUSEUM IN DECEMBER Where: Hafnarhús Art Museum When: All December All of the Christmas Creatures of Reykjavík City will be present at Reykjavík Art Museum, Hafnarhús. The main goal of the project is to create an inspiring Christmas experience in the city, for visitors and inhabitants alike. An exciting game, ideal for family entertainment, The Search for the Christmas Creatures will start after their appearance. To play, go to the Reykjavík Art Museum at Hafnarhús, City Hall or the Tourist Information Centre downtown at Aðalstræti 2 and get an answer slip. The last chance to play is Dec. 20 and the answer slips can be returned at the same locations. The winner will be announced Dec. 21 and will receive a prize. Check out all the creatures at the Reykjavík Art Museum in Hafnarhús and then look for them on the walls of buildings in the city centre.

CHRISTMAS AT THE NORDIC HOUSE Where: The Nordic House, When: Sundays and Tuesdays in December Admission: Free Further information: www.nordichouse.is The Nordic House welcomes you and your family to an environment friendly Christmas celebration with seminars and workshops on Sundays and Tuesdays in December. Re-design, reuse and learn creative and sustainable solutions with the help of experienced designers and artists. The Children’s Library offers the little ones a friendly environment for creating Christmas ornaments and a comfortable playing area, every day in December. The foyer will feel like a typical Scandinavian living room with Christmas music and a gingerbread exhibition that everyone is welcome to participate in.

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Where: Elliðavatn, 25 min. drive from downtown Reykjavík When: Every Saturday and Sunday until Christmas from 11:00 to 16:00 Admission: Free Further information: www.facebook.com/heidmork/ www.heidmork.is

Where: City All When: Weekends in December from 13-17 Admission: Free

The annual Crafts & Design Christmas market and the Christmas tree sale in Heiðmörk woods, located on the outskirts of Reykjavík, will be open every weekend until Christmas, from 11:00 to 16.00. The Christmas trees are beautiful and Icelandicgrown but even if you’re not there to get a tree, there’s plenty of activities. You can take a stroll around the arts and crafts market and the kids can watch the campfire and meet the Icelandic Yule lads. If it gets cold, you can always head to the café for a cup of coffee or even hot chocolate!

Reykjavík city hall is not passing up the chance to join in the Christmas festivities so the winter woods is open every weekend. Children can play in the Christmas hut and there will be plenty of Christmas events to entertain the guests. Every Sunday at 14, Norwegian family film Jul I Flåklypa will play (in Icelandic) and every child will enjoy seeing the City’s Christmas Creatures in the Winter woods.

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CHRISTMAS AT THE NATIONAL MUSEUM Where: The National Museum of Iceland, Suðurgata 41 When: December 12th-24th at 11:00

ADVENT AT HARPA Where: Harpa When: Saturdays until Christmas at 13:00. Admission: Free The Harpa concert hall offers a spectacle both inside and outside. Harpa offers live music and other events in Harpa’s open spaces, for example, concerts by children’s choirs, a brass band, singer Garðar Cortez and many more, a visit from the yule lads and the ever-popular musical mouse, Maxímús Músíkús. All the events are free and family friendly.

Every day from December 12th until Christmas at 11 :00, one of the Icelandic Yule lads will visit the National Museum. The program is intended for children and is very popular with Icelandic families. In December families are welcome to take part in the Christmas activity game at the National Museum of Iceland. The game, The Search for the Christmas Cat, is available in five languages. It is a great opportunity for families to learn together about Icelandic heritage in an entertaining way. If you’re interested in more Christmas history, check out the exhibition in the Culture house, where traditional wooden Christmas trees are on display.

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CHRISTMAS SHOPPING Reykjavík’s shopping districts offer endless possibilities when it comes to finding cool decorations, souvenirs, or that perfect Christmas present for your special someone. The centre of Reykjavík has a host of specialty boutiques where you will most certainly find something unique. While the main shopping streets are Laugavegur and Skólavörðustígur, make sure you don’t forget the number of small shops and boutiques that are hidden in the area around the old harbour. The Christmas Market in the centre of Reykjavík town is always a delight, as is the Christmas Village in the town of Hafnarfjörður, located 20 minutes from the centre of Reykjavík by car (bus no. 1).

ICELANDIC DESIGN If you’re looking to find a unique object, for a present or just for yourself as a souvenir, nothing beats getting an item by an Icelandic designer. Most Icelandic design is in a similar vein with the rest of Scandinavia, but more heavily influenced by Icelandic myths and the diverse natural phenomena to be found on the island. We recommend you stop at one of the many shops specialising in Icelandic design, such as Kraum or Hrím and picking up a Pyropet candle, a Herðubreið or a NotKnot pillow or one of the many other goods available.

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WOOLEN WARMTH Icelanders know how that the secret to keeping warm is the Icelandic wool. Not only is it warm, but as an added bonus, it looks pretty darn good as well. There are all sorts of wool products available, everything from simple hats and mittens to the beautiful scarves and blankets by Vík Prjónsdóttir. The most common one, however, is the “lopapeysa”, the Icelandic woollen sweater. Try the Farmer’s Market products for great design but if you’re looking for the classics, nothing beats The Icelandic Handknitting Association on Skólavörðustígur.

THE GREAT OUTDOORS The weather in Iceland is probably unmatched as an incentive to develop great protective clothing. 66° North, whose flagship store at Bankastræti is unmissable, was founded in 1926 to make protective clothing for Icelandic fishermen who went out on tiny boats in all sorts of weather. For them, their clothing could mean the difference between life and death. There may be places where the weather is colder, but few of them can match the unpredictability of the Icelandic weather. Try an “úlpa”, an Icelandic parka, while you’re in Iceland. You’ll never get cold again.

HEALTH AND BEAUTY A new organic awareness is currently sweeping the Icelandic nation, manifesting in a wave of new products made from herbs gathered in Iceland’s pristine nature. A vast selection of domestically produced cosmetics and beauty products now exists, available in gift-, health- and tourist shops. Check out brands like BlueLagoon, Villimey, Sóley and SIF Cosmetics.

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FASHION AND STYLE Icelandic designers have been making waves domestically and abroad for several years, and many have now set up their own boutiques in the Laugavegur / Skólavörðustígur area. What better souvenir or present to take home than a unique fashion item that will turn heads wherever you go? Try stopping at Jör, Aftur, Kiosk, Kormákur and Skjöldur’s menswear shop or just any of the shops that catch your eye downtown. As an added bonus, new clothes will keep you safe from the Christmas Cat who will eat you if you don’t have anything new for Christmas!

FROSTY JEWELRY Iceland’s arts and crafts scene is proof positive that the colder the climate, the more creative the people. Our jewellery designers each have their own distinctive flair – some choosing to turn out bold, raw, chunky pieces, while others prefer ornaments as delicate and fragile as flowers in a black Icelandic desert. Whatever your personal preference, you are sure to find something to delight or impress.

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SHOPPING SCHEDULE LAUGAVEGUR & THE DOWNTOWN REYKJAVIK AREA

SMÁRALIND

December 10th

11-22

December 15th

10-22

December 23rd

10-23

December 24th December 25th-26th December 31st January 1st

10-12 Closed 10-12

December 10th 11-22 December 11th 13-22 December 12th-22nd 11-22 December 23rd 11-23 December 24th 10-13 December 25th-26th Closed December 31st 10-13 January 1st Closed

KOLAPORTIÐ FLEA MARKET Weekends 11:00-17:00

Closed KRINGLAN

Please note that information about opening hours is subject to change.

December 10th 10-22 December 11th 13-22 December 12th-22nd 10-22 December 23rd 10-23 December 24th 10-13 December 25th-26th Closed December 31st 10-13 January 1st Closed

TAX-FREE SHOPPING Don’t forget, when you buy merchandise that costs 6.000 ISK or more, you’ll get 15% off. Claim your refund at Keflavik Intl. Airport.

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RESTAURANT OPENINGS Icelanders are pretty serious about their Christmas celebrations and people like to spend quality time with family and friends so consequently things tend to slow down a little. In an effort to make life a little easier for those of you who are spending the holidays in Iceland, we have put together a list of available services on those days when most places are closed.

DECEMBER 24TH - OPEN FOR LUNCH Bergsson mathús..............................................Templarasundi 3..............................................571 1822 Café Paris................................................................Austurstræti 14 .............................................551 1020 Coocoo’s Nest....................................................Grandagarður 23..........................................552 5454 Kaffislippur...............................................................Mýrargötu 12.............................................560 8060 Sky Restaurant.......................................................Ingólfsstræti 1.............................................595 8540 Smakkbarinn........................................................ Klapparstíg 35a...........................................774 4404 Smurstöðin.........................................................Harpa Concert hall.........................................519 9750 Te & Kaffi - Skólavörðustígur...................... Skólavörðustíg 11........................................... 527 2881

DECEMBER 24TH - OPEN FOR DINNER Bryggjan Brugghús............................................Grandagarði 8...........................................456 4040 Hlemmur Square.................................................Laugavegi 105..............................................415 1600 Ísafold...................................................................Þingholtsstræti 3-5........................................595 8535 MAR Restaurant......................................................Geirsgötu 9................................................519 5050 Restaurant Red Chili..........................................Laugavegi 176...........................................562 6000 Restaurant Reykjavik...........................................Vesturgata 2 .............................................552 3030 Steikhúsið............................................................. Tryggvagata 4-6................................................561 1111

DECEMBER 24TH - OPEN FOR LUNCH AND DINNER 1919 Restaurant....................................................Pósthússtræti 2............................................595 1000 Bsí Bistro - Fljótt og gott ............................ BSÍ Bus Terminal ..........................................552 1288 Fjalakötturinn ........................................... Hotel Reykjavík Centrum ................................514 6060 Grand Restaurant.....................................................Sigtúni 38..................................................514 8080 Lebowski Bar.......................................................Laugavegur 20a..........................................552 2300 Mimisbar........................................................................Hagatorgi..................................................525 9970 Ramen Momo.......................................................Tryggvagötu 16............................................ 571 4606 Satt - Hotel Reykjavik Natura..............Hótel Reykjavík Natura .................................444 4050 Skrudur...........................................................................Hagatorgi...................................................525 9971 Slippbarinn................................................................ Mýrargötu 2.............................................560 8080 Vox Restaurant................................................ Suðurlandsbraut 2.......................................444 5050

DECEMBER 25TH - OPEN FOR LUNCH Bergsson mathús..............................................Templarasundi 3..............................................571 1822 Kaffislippur...............................................................Mýrargötu 12.............................................560 8060

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Pre-booking is required Book online at bluelagoon.com

DECEMBER 25TH - OPEN FOR DINNER Bryggjan Brugghús............................................Grandagarði 8...........................................456 4040 Hlemmur Square.................................................Laugavegi 105..............................................415 1600 Ísafold...................................................................Þingholtsstræti 3-5........................................595 8535 Restaurant Red Chili..........................................Laugavegi 176...........................................562 6000 Restaurant Reykjavik...........................................Vesturgata 2 .............................................552 3030 Sky Restaurant.......................................................Ingólfsstræti 1.............................................595 8540 Steikhúsið............................................................. Tryggvagata 4-6................................................561 1111 Torfan.........................................................................Amtmannstíg 1.............................................561 3303

DECEMBER 25TH - OPEN FOR LUNCH AND DINNER 1919 Restaurant....................................................Pósthússtræti 2............................................595 1000 Bsí Bistro - Fljótt og gott ............................ BSÍ Bus Terminal ..........................................552 1288 Café Paris................................................................Austurstræti 14 .............................................551 1020 Fjalakötturinn ........................................... Hotel Reykjavík Centrum ................................514 6060 Grand Restaurant.....................................................Sigtúni 38..................................................514 8080 Lækjarbrekka..........................................................Bankastræti 2..............................................551 4430 Lebowski Bar.......................................................Laugavegur 20a..........................................552 2300 MAR Restaurant......................................................Geirsgötu 9................................................519 5050 Mimisbar........................................................................Hagatorgi..................................................525 9970 Ramen Momo.......................................................Tryggvagötu 16............................................ 571 4606 Satt - Hotel Reykjavik Natura..............Hótel Reykjavík Natura .................................444 4050 Skrudur...........................................................................Hagatorgi...................................................525 9971 Slippbarinn................................................................ Mýrargötu 2.............................................560 8080 Smakkbarinn........................................................ Klapparstíg 35a...........................................774 4404 Vox Restaurant................................................ Suðurlandsbraut 2.......................................444 5050

DECEMBER 26TH - OPEN FOR LUNCH Bergsson mathús..............................................Templarasundi 3..............................................571 1822 Smurstöðin.........................................................Harpa Concert hall.........................................519 9750

DECEMBER 26TH - OPEN FOR LUNCH AND DINNER Bryggjan Brugghús............................................Grandagarði 8...........................................456 4040 1919 Restaurant....................................................Pósthússtræti 2............................................595 1000 Bjarni Fel................................................................ Austurstræti 20............................................561 2240 Bryggjan Brugghús..........................................Grandagarður 8.........................................456 4040 Bsí Bistro - Fljótt og gott ............................ BSÍ Bus Terminal ..........................................552 1288 Café Paris................................................................Austurstræti 14 .............................................551 1020 Caruso.......................................................................Austurstræti 22............................................562 7335 Fjalakötturinn ........................................... Hotel Reykjavík Centrum ................................514 6060 Grand Restaurant.....................................................Sigtúni 38..................................................514 8080 Hressingarskálinn..............................................Austurstræti 10a............................................561 2240 Ísafold...................................................................Þingholtsstræti 3-5........................................595 8535 Jómfrúin Smurbrauðsveitingahús...............Lækjargötu 4...............................................551 0100 Kaffislippur...............................................................Mýrargötu 12.............................................560 8060 Lækjarbrekka..........................................................Bankastræti 2..............................................551 4430 Lebowski Bar.......................................................Laugavegur 20a..........................................552 2300 Matur & drykkur................................................. Grandagarður 2.............................................571 8877 Mimisbar........................................................................Hagatorgi..................................................525 9970 Nauthóll.................................................................Nauthólsvegi 106.........................................599 6660 Primo Ristorante................................................Þingholtsstræti 1..........................................553 4200 Ramen Momo.......................................................Tryggvagötu 16............................................ 571 4606 Restaurant Red Chili..........................................Laugavegi 176...........................................562 6000 Roadhouse.............................................................Snorrabraut 56............................................571 4200 Satt - Hotel Reykjavik Natura..............Hótel Reykjavík Natura .................................444 4050 Skrudur...........................................................................Hagatorgi...................................................525 9971 Slippbarinn................................................................ Mýrargötu 2.............................................560 8080 Smakkbarinn........................................................ Klapparstíg 35a...........................................774 4404 Torfan.........................................................................Amtmannstíg 1.............................................561 3303 Vegamót.................................................................Vegamótastíg 4 ...........................................511 3040 Vox Restaurant................................................ Suðurlandsbraut 2.......................................444 5050

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DECEMBER 26TH - OPEN FOR DINNER Den Danske Kro...................................................Ingólfsstræti 3............................................552 0070 Fishmarket................................................................Aðalstræti 12 .............................................. 578 8877 Fiskfélagið - Fish Company...........................Vesturgötu 2a............................................552 5300 Gallery Restaurant-Hotel Holt.................Bergstaðastræti 37....................................... 552 5700 Grillmarkaðurinn..................................................Lækjargata 2a ..............................................571 7777 Hlemmur Square.................................................Laugavegi 105..............................................415 1600 Islenski barinn - The Icelandic bar............ Ingólfsstræti 1a..............................................517 6767 KOFINN....................................................................... Laugavegi 2.................................................. 551 1855 Kol Restaurant..................................................Skólavörðustíg 40...........................................517 7474 Kopar.............................................................................Geirsgata 3............................................... 567 2700 MAR Restaurant......................................................Geirsgötu 9................................................519 5050 Potturinn og Pannan.......................................Pósthússtræti 17 .............................................511 1690 Restaurant Reykjavik...........................................Vesturgata 2 .............................................552 3030 Sjávargrillið........................................................Skólavörðustígur 14..........................................571 1100 Snaps Bistro...............................................................Þórsgötu 1....................................................511 6677 Steikhúsið............................................................. Tryggvagata 4-6................................................561 1111 Tapasbarinn.............................................................Vesturgata 3b .............................................551 2344

DECEMBER 31ST - OPEN FOR DINNER Bryggjan Brugghús............................................Grandagarði 8...........................................456 4040 Fiskfélagið - Fish Company...........................Vesturgötu 2a............................................552 5300 Hlemmur Square.................................................Laugavegi 105..............................................415 1600 Kol Restaurant..................................................Skólavörðustíg 40...........................................517 7474 Kolabrautin........................................................Harpa Concert hall........................................519 9700 Kopar.............................................................................Geirsgata 3............................................... 567 2700 Restaurant Red Chili..........................................Laugavegi 176...........................................562 6000 Restaurant Reykjavik...........................................Vesturgata 2 .............................................552 3030 Snaps Bistro...............................................................Þórsgötu 1....................................................511 6677 Steikhúsið............................................................. Tryggvagata 4-6................................................561 1111 Tapasbarinn.............................................................Vesturgata 3b .............................................551 2344 Primo Ristorante................................................Þingholtsstræti 1..........................................553 4200

DECEMBER 31ST - OPEN FOR LUNCH AND DINNER 1919 Restaurant....................................................Pósthússtræti 2............................................595 1000 Bsí Bistro - Fljótt og gott ............................ BSÍ Bus Terminal ..........................................552 1288 Caruso.......................................................................Austurstræti 22............................................562 7335 Den Danske Kro...................................................Ingólfsstræti 3............................................552 0070 Fjalakötturinn ........................................... Hotel Reykjavík Centrum ................................514 6060 Grand Restaurant.....................................................Sigtúni 38..................................................514 8080 Islenski barinn - The Icelandic bar............ Ingólfsstræti 1a..............................................517 6767 Lækjarbrekka..........................................................Bankastræti 2..............................................551 4430 Lebowski Bar.......................................................Laugavegur 20a..........................................552 2300 MAR Restaurant......................................................Geirsgötu 9................................................519 5050 Mimisbar........................................................................Hagatorgi..................................................525 9970 Ramen Momo.......................................................Tryggvagötu 16............................................ 571 4606 Satt - Hotel Reykjavik Natura..............Hótel Reykjavík Natura .................................444 4050 Skrudur...........................................................................Hagatorgi...................................................525 9971 Sky Restaurant.......................................................Ingólfsstræti 1.............................................595 8540 Sjávargrillið........................................................Skólavörðustígur 14..........................................571 1100 Slippbarinn................................................................ Mýrargötu 2.............................................560 8080 Smakkbarinn........................................................ Klapparstíg 35a...........................................774 4404 Torfan.........................................................................Amtmannstíg 1.............................................561 3303 Vox Restaurant................................................ Suðurlandsbraut 2.......................................444 5050

58 | Reykjavik Christmas Guide | www.christmasiniceland.is

5 course

gamenu la-

t s a e f r e st b lo ic d n la e c I &

TORFAN LOBSTERHOUSE Opening hours during Holidays: 11:30-22:00 Sun - Thur 16:30-22:00 Mondays 24. Dec Closed 25. Dec seatings at 18:00 and 21:00 31. Dec 11:30-15:00 and seating at 18:00 and 21:00 1. Jan seatings at 18:00 and 21:00 www.torfan.is - Table reservations via tel.: 561 3303 or email: info@torfan.is

DECEMBER 31ST - OPEN FOR LUNCH Bergsson mathús..............................................Templarasundi 3..............................................571 1822 Bjarni Fel................................................................ Austurstræti 20............................................561 2240 C is for Cookie............................................................Týsgötu 8...................................................578 5914 Café Loki.....................................................................Lokastíg 28............................................... 466 2828 Café Paris................................................................Austurstræti 14 .............................................551 1020 Coocoo’s Nest....................................................Grandagarður 23..........................................552 5454 Hressingarskálinn..............................................Austurstræti 10a............................................561 2240 Jómfrúin Smurbrauðsveitingahús...............Lækjargötu 4...............................................551 0100 Kaffislippur...............................................................Mýrargötu 12.............................................560 8060 KOFINN....................................................................... Laugavegi 2.................................................. 551 1855 Nauthóll.................................................................Nauthólsvegi 106.........................................599 6660 Smurstöðin.........................................................Harpa Concert hall.........................................519 9750 Te & Kaffi - Skólavörðustígur...................... Skólavörðustíg 11........................................... 527 2881

JANUARY 1ST - OPEN FOR LUNCH Kaffislippur...............................................................Mýrargötu 12.............................................560 8060

JANUARY 1ST - OPEN FOR DINNER Bjarni Fel................................................................ Austurstræti 20............................................561 2240 Bryggjan Brugghús............................................Grandagarði 8...........................................456 4040 Fishmarket................................................................Aðalstræti 12 .............................................. 578 8877 Fiskfélagið - Fish Company...........................Vesturgötu 2a............................................552 5300 Grillmarkaðurinn..................................................Lækjargata 2a ..............................................571 7777 Hressingarskálinn..............................................Austurstræti 10a............................................561 2240 Islenski barinn - The Icelandic bar............ Ingólfsstræti 1a..............................................517 6767 KOFINN....................................................................... Laugavegi 2.................................................. 551 1855 Kol Restaurant..................................................Skólavörðustíg 40...........................................517 7474 Kolabrautin........................................................Harpa Concert hall........................................519 9700 Kopar.............................................................................Geirsgata 3............................................... 567 2700 MAR Restaurant......................................................Geirsgötu 9................................................519 5050 Mimisbar........................................................................Hagatorgi..................................................525 9970 Restaurant Red Chili..........................................Laugavegi 176...........................................562 6000 Restaurant Reykjavik...........................................Vesturgata 2 .............................................552 3030 Sjávargrillið........................................................Skólavörðustígur 14..........................................571 1100 Steikhúsið............................................................. Tryggvagata 4-6................................................561 1111 Tapasbarinn.............................................................Vesturgata 3b .............................................551 2344 Torfan.........................................................................Amtmannstíg 1.............................................561 3303

JANUARY 1ST - OPEN FOR LUNCH AND DINNER 1919 Restaurant....................................................Pósthússtræti 2............................................595 1000 Bergsson mathús..............................................Templarasundi 3..............................................571 1822 Bryggjan Brugghús..........................................Grandagarður 8.........................................456 4040 Bsí Bistro - Fljótt og gott ............................ BSÍ Bus Terminal ..........................................552 1288 Café Paris................................................................Austurstræti 14 .............................................551 1020 Caruso.......................................................................Austurstræti 22............................................562 7335 Fjalakötturinn ........................................... Hotel Reykjavík Centrum ................................514 6060 Grand Restaurant.....................................................Sigtúni 38..................................................514 8080 Lækjarbrekka..........................................................Bankastræti 2..............................................551 4430 Lebowski Bar.......................................................Laugavegur 20a..........................................552 2300 Roadhouse.............................................................Snorrabraut 56............................................571 4200 Sæmundur í sparifötunuml................................Kex Hostel.................................................561 6060 Satt - Hotel Reykjavik Natura..............Hótel Reykjavík Natura .................................444 4050 Skrudur...........................................................................Hagatorgi...................................................525 9971 Sky Restaurant.......................................................Ingólfsstræti 1.............................................595 8540 Slippbarinn................................................................ Mýrargötu 2.............................................560 8080 Smakkbarinn........................................................ Klapparstíg 35a...........................................774 4404 Smurstöðin.........................................................Harpa Concert hall.........................................519 9750 Vox Restaurant................................................ Suðurlandsbraut 2.......................................444 5050

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MUSEUM OPENINGS DECEMBER 23RD Árbær Open Air Museum.....................................................................................13:00 - 14:00 Aurora Reykjavik The Northern Lights Center........................................... 09:00 - 21:00 Hafnarborg................................................................................................................ 12:00 - 17:00 Listasafn Íslands....................................................................................................... 11:00 - 17:00 National Museum of Iceland...............................................................................10:00 - 17:00 Natural History Museum of Kópavogur........................................................... 11:00 - 17:00 Reykjavík Art Museum Ásmundarsafn............................................................ 13:00 - 17:00 Reykjavík Art Museum Hafnarhús....................................................................10:00 - 17:00 Reykjavík Art Museum Kjarvalsstaðir..............................................................10:00 - 17:00 Reykjavík Maritime Museum...............................................................................10:00 - 17:00 Reykjavík Museum of Photography................................................................. 12:00 - 18:00 The Cinema................................................................................................................ 17:00 - 18:00 The Einar Jonsson Museum.................................................................................. 10:10 - 17:00 The Settlement Exhibition................................................................................ 09:00 - 20:00 Volcano House........................................................................................................ 10:00 - 14:00 Whales of Iceland...................................................................................................10:00 - 17:00

DECEMBER 24TH Árbær Open Air Museum.....................................................................................13:00 - 14:00 Aurora Reykjavik The Northern Lights Center........................................... 09:00 - 16:00 National Museum of Iceland................................................................................ 11:00 - 12:00 Saga Museum.......................................................................................................... 10:00 - 14:00 The Settlement Exhibition................................................................................. 09:00 - 14:00 Volcano House........................................................................................................ 10:00 - 14:00 Whales of Iceland...................................................................................................10:00 - 17:00

DECEMBER 25TH Aurora Reykjavik The Northern Lights Center........................................... 09:00 - 16:00 National Museum of Iceland.............................................................................. 10:00 - 14:00 Saga Museum / Sögusafnið................................................................................ 12:00 - 18:00 Volcano House.........................................................................................................10:00 - 17:00

DECEMBER 26TH Árbær Open Air Museum.....................................................................................13:00 - 14:00 Aurora Reykjavik The Northern Lights Center........................................... 09:00 - 21:00 Reykjavík Art Museum Ásmundarsafn............................................................ 13:00 - 17:00 Reykjavík Art Museum Hafnarhús.................................................................... 13:00 - 17:00 Reykjavík Art Museum Kjarvalsstaðir.............................................................. 13:00 - 17:00 Reykjavík Maritime Museum............................................................................... 12:00 - 17:00 Saga Museum / Sögusafnið................................................................................10:00 - 18:00 The Cinema................................................................................................................ 17:00 - 18:00 The Settlement Exhibition..................................................................................12:00 - 20:00 Volcano House........................................................................................................10:00 - 22:00 Whales of Iceland...................................................................................................10:00 - 17:00

DECEMBER 31ST Árbær Open Air Museum.....................................................................................13:00 - 14:00 Aurora Reykjavik The Northern Lights Center........................................... 09:00 - 16:00 National Museum of Iceland.............................................................................. 10:00 - 14:00 Reykjavík Art Museum Hafnarhús................................................................... 10:00 - 14:00 Reykjavík Maritime Museum.............................................................................. 10:00 - 14:00 Reykjavík Museum of Photography................................................................ 10:00 - 14:00 Saga Museum...........................................................................................................10:00 - 18:00 The Cinema................................................................................................................ 17:00 - 18:00 The Einar Jonsson Museum................................................................................ 10:00 - 14:00 The Settlement Exhibition................................................................................. 09:00 - 14:00 Volcano House.........................................................................................................10:00 - 17:00 Whales of Iceland...................................................................................................10:00 - 17:00

JANUARY 1ST Aurora Reykjavik The Northern Lights Center........................................... 09:00 - 21:00 National Museum of Iceland.............................................................................. 10:00 - 14:00 Reykjavík Art Museum Hafnarhús.................................................................... 13:00 - 17:00 Saga Museum........................................................................................................... 12:00 - 18:00 The Cinema................................................................................................................ 17:00 - 18:00 The Settlement Exhibition................................................................................... 12:00 - 18:00 Volcano House........................................................................................................10:00 - 22:00 Whales of Iceland...................................................................................................10:00 - 17:00

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THERMAL POOLS Nothing beats a soak in the hot tub in the winter darkness with steam wafting up from the geothermal heated water and the stars twinkling above. Sure, it can take a bit of effort to run out into the cold, wearing only your swimsuit, but once you’re immersed in that silky warm water it is completely worth it. The capital area boasts 16 public pools that are open almost every day during the holidays. The largest of the pools, Laugardalslaug, is only closed for one day during the Christmas season. Here are the opening hours of the ones in Reykjavík during the holidays.

ÁRBÆJARLAUG December 23th...................06:30-18:00 December 24th.................. 09:00-13:00 December 25th..............................Closed December 26th....................12:00-18:00 December 31st.................... 09:00-13:00 January 1st........................................Closed

BREIÐHOLTSLAUG December 23th...................06:30-18:00 December 24th.................. 09:00-13:00 December 25th-26th...................Closed December 31st.................... 09:00-13:00 January 1st........................................Closed

GRAFARVOGSLAUG December 23th...................06:30-18:00 December 24th.................. 09:00-13:00 December 25th-26th...................Closed December 31st.................... 09:00-13:00 January 1st........................................Closed

KLÉBERGSLAUG December 23th..................... 11:00-15:00 December 24th.................... 10:00-12:30 December 25th-26th...................Closed December 31st...................... 10:00-12:30 January 1st........................................Closed

LAUGARDALSLAUG December 23th...................08:30-18:00 December 24th.................. 09:00-13:00 December 25th..............................Closed December 26th....................12:00-18:00 December 31st.................... 08:00-13:00 January 1st..............................12:00-18:00

SUNDHÖLLIN December 23th...................06:30-18:00 December 24th.................. 08:00-13:00 December 25th-26th...................Closed December 31st.................... 08:00-13:00 January 1st........................................Closed

VESTURBÆJARLAUG December 23th...................06:30-18:00 December 24th.................. 09:00-13:00 December 25th-26th...................Closed December 31st.................... 09:00-13:00 January 1st........................................Closed

64 | Reykjavik Christmas Guide | www.christmasiniceland.is

The leading opera singers of Iceland, along with world class musicians welcome the new year at the wonderful Northern Lights auditorium at Harpa. Celebrate the new year in style.

BRING THIS AD TO THE BOX OFFICE AT HARPA AND RECIEVE A 20% DISCOUNT

Upcoming shows: December 29th at 20.00, December 30th at 20.00 January 1st at 17:00 January 1st at 20:00

www.harpa.is

CHRISTMAS CONCERTS

IN REYKJAVÍK & NEIGHBOURHOOD DECEMBER 3RD

DECEMBER 5TH

SATURDAY

MONDAY

Kristján Jóhannsson @ Harpa

Filadelphia’s Christmas Concert @ Hvítasunnukirkja Fíladelfíu

Páll Óskar & Monica @ Háteigskirkja

DECEMBER 6TH

DECEMBER 4TH SUNDAY

Hallgrímskirkja’s Motet Choir @ Hallgrímskirkja

Borgardætur @ Café Rósenberg

Irish, Celtic & Icelandic Christmas Concert @ Langholtskirkja

Filadelphia’s Christmas Concert @ Hvítasunnukirkja Fíladelfíu

Boney M @ Harpa

TUESDAYDAY

DECEMBER 7TH WEDNESDAY

Páll Óskar & Monica @ Háteigskirkja

Borgardætur @ Café Rósenberg

DECEMBER 8TH THURSDAY Stefán hilmarsson @ Harpa Classic Christmas @ Seltjarnarneskirkja Borgardætur @ Café Rósenberg

Páll Óskar & Monica

66 | Reykjavik Christmas Guide | www.christmasiniceland.is

KK & Ellen

BÓ’ Christmas Guests

DECEMBER 9TH

DECEMBER 11TH

FRIDAY

SUNDAY

KK & Ellen @ Fríkirkjan

Hnallþórulög @ Gaflaraleikhúsið

Croon & Swoon @ Café Rósenberg

Christmas with Sissel @ Harpa

Stefán Hilmarsson @ Harpa

DECEMBER 12TH

Sigga Beinteins @ Harpa

Christmas with Sissel @ Harpa

MONDAY

The Las Vegas Christmas Show @ Gamla Bíó

DECEMBER 13TH

DECEMBER 10TH

Borgardætur @ Café Rósenberg

SATURDAY Croon & Swoon @ Bar 11 BÓ’s Christmas’s Guests Laugardalshöll KK & Ellen @ Bæjarbíó

DECEMBER 14TH WEDNESDAY Borgardætur @ Café Rósenberg Funky KEXmas @ Kex Hostel

Croon & Swoon (Photo Julie Rowland) www.christmasiniceland.is | Reykjavik Christmas Guide | 67

DECEMBER 15TH THURSDAY Borgardætur @ Café Rósenberg Þór Brieðfjörð @ Gamla Bíó Croon & Swoon @ Boston

DECEMBER 16TH FRIDAY KEXmas Jazz @ KEX Hostel Something pretty @ Fríkirkjan Hafnafirði

Mozart By Candlelight

KK & Ellen @ Vídalínskirkja

DECEMBER 18TH

Hnallþórulög @ Gaflaraleikhúsið

KK & Ellen’s christmas concert @ Grafarvogskirkja

DECEMBER 17TH

Reykjavík’s Men Choir’s Advent Concert @ Hallgrímskirkja

SATURDAY Home for Christmas @ Salurinn Reykjavík’s Men Choir’s Advent Concert @ Hallgrímskirkja

SUNDAY

Home for Christmas @ Salurinn

DECEMBER 19TH MONDAY

Christmas at the Symphony @ Harpa

Kötlur & Bartónar @ Gamla Níó

KK & Ellen @ Hélgarður

KK & Ellen @ Háskólabíó

Croon & Swoon

Mozart by Candlelight @ Hafnarfjarðarkirkja

@ Dillon Whiskey Bar

Borgardætur www.christmasiniceland.is | Reykjavik Christmas Guide | 69

Pearls of Icelandic Songs

DECEMBER 20

DECEMBER 27TH

TUESDAY

Mozart by Candlelight @ Kópavogskirkja

Pearls of Icelandic Songs @ Harpa

Festive Concert @ Harpa

DECEMBER 28TH

KEXmas Jazz @ KEX Hostel

Cosy Christmas with Vala Yates @ Café Rósenberg

WEDNESDAY

DECEMBER 21ST Mozart by Candlelight @ Garðakirkja

Pearls of Icelandic Songs @ Harpa

DECEMBER 29TH

DECEMBER 22

THURSDAY

Pearls of Icelandic Songs @ Harpa

The KEXmas Show @ KEX Hostel Mozart by Candlelight @ Dómkirkjan in Reykjavík Croon & Swoon @ Gaukurinn

DECEMBER 23RD FRIDAY Bubbi Morthen’s Þorláksmessu Concert @ Harpa Christmas Hour @ Dómkirkjan Croon & Swoon @ Gamla Bíó

Croon & Swoon @ Boston

DECEMBER 30TH FRIDAY Pearls of Icelandic Songs @ Harpa

DECEMBER 31ST SATURDAY Páll Óskar New Year’s Party @ Spot

DECEMBER 27TH -JANUARY 2ND Reykjavík Classics New Year Celebration @ Harpa

70 | Reykjavik Christmas Guide | www.christmasiniceland.is

STEFÁN BOGI GOLD- AND SILVERSMITH

METAL DESIGN SKÓLAVÖRÐUSTÍG 2 www.metaldesignReykjavík.is METALDESIGNReykjavík ...

TOP 10 DECEMBER ACTIVITIES

Gaze at the stars while soaking in one of the 16 thermal pools in the Reykjavík capital area.

Revel in a Reykjavík winter: be dazzled by the multi-coloured Christmas lights, skate on Tjörnin lake, the ice rink at Ingólfstorg or at the Skating Hall in Laugardalur.

Stop at one of Reykjavík’s many cafés for a warm drink or at any of the city’s great restaurants for a traditional Christmas Buffet.

Let the unique and surefooted Icelandic horse carry you through picturesque valleys and over rocky grey lava fields.

Make the most of the opportunity to shop tax-free. Icelandic design with a hefty discount, who can resist that?

Burn away the remnants of last year’s sins at a New Year’s Eve bonfire, or by setting off a bunch of fireworks at midnight. Spoil yourself rotten in the ethereal environment at the Blue Lagoon. Be sure to check out their selection of spa treatments for a truly luxurious day.

Have a snowball fight underneath the unforgettable Northern Lights. Take a tour through the majestic Icelandic landscape and see some of the many natural wonders Iceland has to offer, waterfalls, erupting hot springs, glaciers and so much more. Experience Iceland’s history, art and culture, from the days of the Vikings to modern times.

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Fermented skate from 11:30-14:30 & 17:00-22:30 (alacart) Closed 17:00-22:30 11:30-14:30 & 17:00 (reservations till 21:00) 17:00-22:30 11:30-14:30 & 17:00-22:30

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