Iceland
Reykjavík in December
❄️ Snowy winterCold and often rainy.
🎒 Pack: winter coat, gloves & hat · compact umbrella or rain jacket
Why December scores 7.7What goes into the score
How it works- Weather comfort5.4
- !Cold (1.1°C highs / -2.2°C lows)
- ✓Comfortable humidity (dew point -1.9°C)
- !Wet: ~142 mm rain, ~5 heavy-rain days
- Air quality10.0
- ✓Good (within WHO guideline) (PM2.5 ~2 µg/m³)
- Seasonal hazards10.0
- ·No notable seasonal hazards
- Safety baseline9.5
- ·Normal precautions
| Dec | Jul | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 7.7 Very good | 9.0 Excellent |
| Season | ❄️ Snowy winter | ☀️ Summer |
| High / low | 1° / -2° | 13° / 8° |
| Rain | 142 mm | 85 mm |
| Humidity | dew pt -2° | dew pt 8° |
| PM2.5 | 2 µg/m³ | 4 µg/m³ |
Typical-month data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis) 2015–2024 (modelled, not a forecast).
Holidays & crowdsDecember 2026
Long weekendThere's at least one long weekend. Domestic travel picks up and popular spots get busier over those days.
- Christmas Day 25–27 Dec · 3 days off in a row
National holidays only; regional holidays and school breaks aren't included. Source: holidays (open-source public-holiday calendar).
Explore ReykjavíkEvents, sights, food & souvenirs
Check event dates locallyIceland's small, colourful capital, the base for Golden Circle tours, northern lights trips, whale watching and geothermal lagoons.
New Year's EveEvery year31 December every year
Neighbourhood bonfires, then an intense private fireworks display at midnight.
Why go: Hallgrímskirkja is a popular viewing spot.
Where: Citywide
Coming up later
Icelandic National DayEvery year17 June every year
Parades and outdoor events mark independence in 1944.
Why go: A public holiday with family events across the centre.
Where: Downtown Reykjavík
Reykjavík Culture Night (Menningarnótt)Date variesUsually a Saturday in late August
A day and night of free concerts and open houses, held on the same day as the Reykjavík Marathon, ending with fireworks.
Why go: The city's biggest crowd of the year.
Where: Downtown Reykjavík
Iceland AirwavesDate variesUsually early November
A music festival showcasing Icelandic and international new artists.
Why go: Book accommodation early.
Where: Venues across Reykjavík
Hallgrímskirkja
A large concrete church whose tower gives views over the city's coloured rooftops.
Harpa
A glass-faced concert hall on the harbour.
Golden Circle
A day route covering Þingvellir National Park, the Geysir geothermal area and Gullfoss waterfall.
Blue Lagoon
A geothermal spa in a lava field near the airport.
💡 Booking ahead is required.
Northern lightsgreat in Dec
Aurora can be seen on clear, dark nights away from city lights.
💡 There is no darkness in summer.
Whale watching
Boat trips from the Old Harbour look for minke whales, humpbacks and dolphins.
💡 Sea conditions are best in summer.
Pylsur
Icelandic hot dogs with lamb, crispy onions and remoulade.
💡 Bæjarins Beztu Pylsur stand near the harbour
Skyr
A thick, high-protein cultured dairy product.
💡 Supermarkets and cafes
Kjötsúpa
Lamb and root-vegetable soup.
💡 Traditional restaurants
Plokkfiskur
Mashed fish and potato stew.
💡 Traditional restaurants
Hákarl
Fermented shark, a strong-smelling traditional food often taken with Brennivín.
💡 Traditional restaurants and food tours
Lopapeysa
Traditional Icelandic wool sweater with a patterned yoke.
💡 Wool shops; check for 'hand-knitted in Iceland' labels
Brennivín
Iceland's caraway-flavoured schnapps.
💡 Duty-free and state liquor shops (Vínbúðin)
Icelandic sea salt
Flaky sea salt produced with geothermal heat.
💡 Supermarkets and design shops
Airport transfer Kiwitaxi
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