Iceland in December: Weather, What to Do, and Travel Tips

December in Iceland divides visitors into two camps: those who find the deep winter darkness limiting, and those who find it extraordinary. With only 4–5 hours of usable daylight in Reykjavík (less further north), you’ll need to plan activities around the short window. The upside: New Year’s Eve in Reykjavík is genuinely one of Europe’s most impressive celebrations, ice caves are in prime condition, and Christmas decorations transform Akureyri into Iceland’s most festive town.

Weather in Iceland in December

Region	Avg High	Avg Low	Daylight	Notes
Reykjavík	1 to 3°C	-3 to 0°C	~4–5 hrs	Wind and rain or sleet most days; rare below -5°C
Akureyri	-2 to 1°C	-9 to -4°C	~3–4 hrs	Colder and snowier; excellent Christmas atmosphere
South Coast	1 to 3°C	-2 to 1°C	~4–5 hrs	Coastal gales; Vík area often sees the country’s strongest winds
East (Egilsstaðir)	-2 to 2°C	-8 to -3°C	~4–5 hrs	Continental cold; heavy snow possible; roads can close

Approximate averages as of 2026. Iceland’s weather is highly variable — check vedur.is for current forecasts.

Best Activities in December

Ice caves — Season opens in November and peaks December through February when cold temperatures stabilise the ice. The natural blue ice caves inside Vatnajökull are the main draw; only accessible with a licensed guide. Tours depart from near Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon. Arctic Adventures and Local Guide of Vatnajökull run guided cave tours from approximately ISK 14,000 to ISK 18,000 per person as of 2026. Book well before arrival — spaces release in blocks and sell out within days.

Northern Lights tours — December’s long dark nights are your biggest advantage. Even with 75% average cloud cover in the south, persistent checking and flexibility to drive toward clear skies can pay off. Arctic Adventures and Reykjavik Excursions run nightly tours from BSÍ bus terminal from approximately ISK 9,900 per adult, with a resail guarantee if no aurora is spotted as of 2026. Self-driving to the Snæfellsnes peninsula or north toward Borgarnes often finds clearer skies than Reykjavík.

Snæfellsnes Peninsula in winter — Dramatically different from summer: snow-covered glacier, near-empty roads, and short golden light windows that hit the sea stacks at Arnarstapi and the coastline near Hellnar at striking angles. A 4-hour drive circuit from Reykjavík in a single day using all available daylight.

New Year’s Eve in Reykjavík — Iceland has an extraordinary New Year’s Eve tradition: private individuals buy and launch their own fireworks. From around 11pm to 1am, the entire capital launches amateur fireworks from every street simultaneously while official displays go up from Öskjuhlíð hill. The sky fills with a 2-hour uncoordinated barrage. Watch from Hallgrímskirkja church hill for 360-degree views; no ticket required.

Events in December

Yule Lads (Jólasveinar) — Iceland’s 13 traditional Christmas figures (not Santa Claus) begin arriving from December 12, one each night until Christmas Eve. Children leave shoes on windowsills; well-behaved children receive small gifts, misbehaving ones get potatoes. The tradition is taken seriously in Icelandic families and shown in shop window displays and public art throughout December.

Reykjavík Christmas Market — Held at Austurvöllur square and around the old town, running from late November through December 23. Stalls with crafts, Icelandic wool goods, hot chocolate, and traditional food. Free to walk; individual stall prices vary.

Akureyri Christmas Lights — Akureyri is known as Iceland’s Christmas capital. The city’s street lights are changed to red heart shapes for December, the Christmas tree on the main square is among the country’s tallest, and the town fills with local school concerts and market stalls throughout the month. Worth the 4-hour drive or domestic flight from Reykjavík if you’re in the country in December.

New Year’s Eve (Gamlárskvöld) — The main event. Bonfires (brennur) are lit around the country on December 31 from around 9–10pm as communities gather before the fireworks begin. The Reykjavík bonfire at Öskjuhlíð is the largest; free to attend.

Where to Stay in December

Reykjavík: Prices drop from November through early December, then spike again for Christmas week (December 22–January 2). Hotel Borg (Pósthússtræti) from approximately ISK 28,000 to ISK 35,000 in early December, rising to approximately ISK 50,000+ around Christmas and New Year as of 2026.

Akureyri: Worth visiting for the Christmas atmosphere. Icelandair Hotel Akureyri (Þingvallastræti) from approximately ISK 22,000 per night as of 2026.

South Coast / Vatnajökull area: Hotel Rangá near Hella is popular for Northern Lights access — dark skies, wake-up service when aurora appears, and a hot tub outside. From approximately ISK 48,000 per night in December as of 2026. Book months ahead for Christmas week.

Where to Eat in December

Reykjavík’s restaurants are busy the week before Christmas and New Year. Dill (Hverfisgata 12) runs special Christmas-season menus using preserved and cured winter ingredients; tasting menus from approximately ISK 22,000 to ISK 26,000 per person as of 2026. Book well ahead for December.

Íslenski Barinn (Ingólfsstræti) is a more casual option with traditional Icelandic food — lamb soup, cured fish, skyr desserts. Mains from approximately ISK 3,500 to ISK 5,500 as of 2026.

In Akureyri, Strikið (Skíðaból 14) offers the best elevated dining in the north with panoramic views over the fjord; worth booking ahead in December. Mains from approximately ISK 4,500 as of 2026.

Northern Lights in December

Prime season. Up to 19–20 hours of darkness per day in Reykjavík, and around 20–21 hours in Akureyri. Aurora requires both dark skies and solar activity of KP3 or higher — cloud cover is the primary obstacle. Vedur.is shows both cloud forecast and KP index predictions on the same aurora page.

The north and east of Iceland typically have more clear nights than the Reykjavík area. If you’re chasing aurora seriously, consider basing yourself in Akureyri or the East Fjords for a few nights.

Road Conditions

Check road.is before every drive. December notes:

• Highland F-roads: All closed until spring
• Mountain passes: Öxnadalsheiði above Akureyri and other passes close multiple times per month
• Winter tyres: Mandatory November 1–April 15 (all rental cars are fitted)
• Ring Road: Generally plowed and open; east section between Djúpivogur and Höfn can close after heavy snow
• Drive with full headlights; visibility can drop sharply in blizzard conditions

What to Pack for December

• Heavy waterproof jacket and insulated trousers
• Thermal base layers (merino wool) — essential, not optional
• Down or synthetic insulated jacket as mid-layer
• Waterproof, insulated gloves and warm hat covering ears and forehead
• Neck gaiter or balaclava for wind exposure
• Wool socks and ankle-height waterproof boots with grip
• Microspikes or YakTrax for icy Reykjavík pavements
• Hand warmers for outdoor evening events and Northern Lights waits
• Sunscreen for any glacier or snow excursions

Browse Iceland tours — day trips, activity bookings, and multi-day packages across the country in one place.

Compare car hire in Iceland — a 4WD or campervan gives the flexibility to explore at your own pace.

Get travel insurance for Iceland — policies covering glacier hikes, F-road driving, and volcanic disruption.

Related Guides

• Iceland in November — The month before: first proper winter conditions, ice caves open
• Iceland in January — The month after: quieter and the best aurora chances of the year
• Iceland winter itinerary — A full winter trip plan around aurora, ice caves, and December festivities
• Northern lights tours from Reykjavík — December is one of the best months for aurora tours
• Best time to visit Iceland — Full year comparison to help plan your visit