December is Iceland at its darkest and, paradoxically, most festive. With only 4 hours of daylight, the country runs on candlelight, geothermal heat, and the 13 Yule Lads who visit one by one in the 13 nights before Christmas. Northern lights blaze across skies that are dark for 20 hours a day. Ice caves glow blue (check conditions with your tour operator). And Reykjavík's Christmas atmosphere is genuine and warm.
Weather & Conditions
Daylight
Highlights
- Prime northern lights season (longest nights)
- Ice caves in full swing
- Icelandic Christmas and Yule Lads (13 nights before Christmas)
- Reykjavík Christmas markets and festive atmosphere
- Dramatic winter photography conditions
Warnings
Only 4 hours of daylight
Roads very icy — 4x4 recommended; Winter tyres usual 1 Nov–14 Apr (3 mm tread; studs allowed) — confirm with your rental company
Highland roads closed
Christmas week (around Dec 23–27) often sees higher accommodation prices
Some businesses close Dec 24–26
What You Can See
- Northern lights: Prime. The long hours of darkness mean maximum opportunity.
- Midnight sun: No — the polar opposite.
- Puffins: No.
- Whales: Minimal.
- Wildlife: Arctic foxes are sometimes seen.
- Landscape: Frequent snow, frozen waterfalls, blue ice caves, and skies that cycle between storm and aurora.
What's Open & Closed
AvailableCheck first— possible, not guaranteedClosed
- Highland roadsClosed
Closed.
- Ice cavesAvailable
In season. Guided tours to Vatnajökull's natural ice caves run when conditions allow — book in advance and check with your tour operator.
- WestfjordsCheck first
Risky — roads may close.
- CampgroundsClosed
Mostly closed. A few stay open year-round (e.g. Reykjavík).
- Swimming poolsAvailable
Almost all are open.
- OtherCheck first
Golden Circle and South Coast usually reachable with care — check road.is and safetravel.is before driving.
Recommended Routes
What to Pack
Maximum winter gear. Balaclava, heavy insulated gloves, down jacket, waterproof shell, headlamp, microspikes. Plan as if you're going to the Arctic — because you essentially are.
5 Days in Iceland in December
- Day 1
Arrive → Blue Lagoon or Sky Lagoon → Reykjavík Christmas markets.
- Day 2
Golden Circle — Gullfoss frozen or thundering, Geysir steaming in the cold.
- Day 3
South Coast → ice cave tour near Jökulsárlón (check conditions with your operator).
- Day 4
Reykjavík — Christmas Creatures around the city centre, Harpa, Perlan, northern lights tour.
- Day 5
Reykjanes Peninsula (Blue Lagoon area) → depart.
Budget Snapshot
Crowds & Pricing
Low season except around Christmas week (roughly Dec 23–27), when demand often spikes. Book Christmas accommodation early. The rest of December is quiet and affordable.
December in Iceland is an exercise in extremes. You get 4 hours of sunlight and 20 hours of darkness — which sounds grim until you experience how Icelanders respond to it. Reykjavík is ablaze with Christmas lights. Every window has a candle or a star. The 13 Yule Lads — mischievous trolls from Icelandic folklore — arrive one per night starting December 12th, leaving gifts (or a potato) in children's shoes.
The northern lights in December are among the best of the year, purely because you have so many hours of darkness to catch them. Step outside any clear evening — in Reykjavík, on the South Coast, at your guesthouse in the countryside — and look up. The aurora can appear at 6pm or 2am or both.
Ice caves are in full season. The glacial caves in Vatnajökull are new each winter and firm up once temperatures drop below freezing, and the ice formations are extraordinary — deep blue, crystal clear, shaped by pressure. Guided tours meet at Jökulsárlón (check conditions and departures with your operator) and are the standout December experience.
The biggest practical challenge is the darkness. Four hours of light means you cannot see everything in a day. Choose one destination, drive there in twilight, experience it in the brief light, and drive back. Or embrace the darkness — some of the best Iceland experiences (northern lights, hot springs, Christmas atmosphere) happen in the dark anyway.
Frequently asked questions
Is December too dark to visit Iceland?
It depends on what you want. If you need daylight to explore, December's 4 hours are limiting. But if you want northern lights, ice caves, Christmas atmosphere, and a unique winter experience, the darkness IS the attraction. Many visitors find December's atmosphere more memorable than summer.
What is Christmas like in Iceland?
Icelandic Christmas centres on December 24th, when families gather for a traditional meal, often smoked lamb (hangikjöt). The 13 Yule Lads — troll-like figures from folklore — visit one per night from December 12th to 24th. Reykjavík's Christmas markets, concerts, and lights create a genuinely festive atmosphere.