Iceland has around 15 public holidays, and several of them behave less like single days off and more like four-day shutdowns of the whole country. Banks close, state liquor shops lock up, supermarkets cut hours, and half of the population heads out of Reykjavik for campsites, summer houses and festivals. The good news is that the tourism industry keeps running on nearly all of them. This guide lists the exact 2026 and 2027 dates, what is open and shut, and which holidays are worth planning around.
All moveable dates below follow Easter, which falls on 5 April 2026 and 28 March 2027. Dates were checked against published Icelandic holiday calendars in October 2026.
Iceland public holidays 2026 and 2027
| Holiday | Icelandic name | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day | Nýársdagur | Thu 1 Jan | Fri 1 Jan |
| Maundy Thursday | Skírdagur | Thu 2 Apr | Thu 25 Mar |
| Good Friday | Föstudagurinn langi | Fri 3 Apr | Fri 26 Mar |
| Easter Sunday | Páskadagur | Sun 5 Apr | Sun 28 Mar |
| Easter Monday | Annar í páskum | Mon 6 Apr | Mon 29 Mar |
| First Day of Summer | Sumardagurinn fyrsti | Thu 23 Apr | Thu 22 Apr |
| Labour Day | Verkalýðsdagurinn | Fri 1 May | Sat 1 May |
| Ascension Day | Uppstigningardagur | Thu 14 May | Thu 6 May |
| Whit Sunday | Hvítasunnudagur | Sun 24 May | Sun 16 May |
| Whit Monday | Annar í hvítasunnu | Mon 25 May | Mon 17 May |
| National Day | Þjóðhátíðardagurinn | Wed 17 Jun | Thu 17 Jun |
| Commerce Day | Frídagur verslunarmanna | Mon 3 Aug | Mon 2 Aug |
| Christmas Eve (from midday) | Aðfangadagur | Thu 24 Dec | Fri 24 Dec |
| Christmas Day | Jóladagur | Fri 25 Dec | Sat 25 Dec |
| Boxing Day | Annar í jólum | Sat 26 Dec | Sun 26 Dec |
| New Year’s Eve (from midday) | Gamlársdagur | Thu 31 Dec | Fri 31 Dec |
The First Day of Summer is always the first Thursday after 18 April, so it is celebrated while snow can still be on the ground. Icelanders give each other gifts, and parades and school events fill the day. Epiphany (6 January) and the old Christmas season end are not official days off, though the Thirteenth Night bonfires are a local tradition.
What is open and closed on Icelandic holidays
Banks and government offices close on every public holiday, and also close early (around midday) on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. Cash machines still work and card payment is universal, so this rarely affects visitors. See our Iceland currency guide for payment tips.
Supermarkets (Bónus, Krónan, Nettó) usually close on New Year’s Day, Easter Sunday, Whit Sunday, Christmas Eve afternoon, Christmas Day and the afternoon of New Year’s Eve. On other holidays they commonly run shorter or Sunday-style hours. Convenience chains such as 10-11 and petrol station shops in Reykjavik and along the Ring Road generally stay open, at higher prices. Stock up the day before; our grocery stores guide explains which chains to use.
State liquor shops (Vínbúðin) are closed on all public holidays and every Sunday. If you want wine for a holiday dinner, buy it on the last open day.
Restaurants and cafes in central Reykjavik mostly operate as usual on spring and summer holidays. On Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, many close or serve only fixed menus, so book early, and book your Reykjavik hotel in advance for the Christmas and New Year closures. For festive plans see our New Year’s Eve in Reykjavik guide, and check events in Iceland for what is on around each holiday.
Swimming pools and geothermal baths keep modified hours on most holidays. The municipal pools, which are a daily habit for locals, may open late or close entirely on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Major attractions such as the Blue Lagoon and Sky Lagoon operate on nearly all holidays, but hours can shrink on Christmas and New Year, and pre-booking is essential.
Public transport: Reykjavik’s Strætó buses run a Sunday-style timetable on most holidays and a reduced service, or none for part of the day, on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Intercity buses and the airport Flybus follow holiday schedules, so check before relying on a late-day connection. Keflavik Airport and domestic flights operate throughout the year, though schedules can thin on 24-25 December.
Tours and rental cars: Whale watching, Golden Circle trips and glacier hikes run on almost every holiday except Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and sometimes New Year’s Day. Rental offices usually stay open, but pick-up desks may close early on Christmas Eve. Browse Reykjavik tours and confirm departure times before you travel.
The most disruptive holidays for travelers
1. Christmas and New Year (24 December to 1 January). This is the biggest practical disruption. Most shops, many restaurants and some attractions close for at least part of the period. Roads can be icy and daylight is under five hours in Reykjavik. On New Year’s Eve, fireworks fill the sky and the city’s tourist services are in high demand. Our Iceland in December guide covers what to expect. For traditions and day-by-day closures, see Christmas in Iceland.
2. Easter weekend (Maundy Thursday to Easter Monday). Four consecutive days off means closed shops, a busy countryside and fully booked guesthouses. Easter Sunday and Good Friday are the quietest days for commerce. Book cars and accommodation well ahead.
3. Commerce Day weekend (first weekend of August). The three-day weekend is the peak of domestic travel. Campsites, farm stays and roads to the Westman Islands (Þjóðhátíð festival), Akureyri and the south coast fill up. Prices climb and availability in summer houses and hotels outside Reykjavik shrinks. Reykjavik itself is quieter.
4. National Day (17 June). The country’s biggest civic celebration brings parades, music and brass bands to central Reykjavik. Streets close to traffic, and the capital is crowded and cheerful. Read our National Day guide and our Iceland in June overview for planning notes.
5. Whit weekend and Ascension. Ascension is a Thursday that many Icelanders turn into a long weekend, and Whit Monday creates another. These are moderately busy domestic travel periods in late spring, but tourism services remain open.
Lower-impact days are Labour Day and the First Day of Summer, when parades and local events happen and some shops close, but travel is rarely affected.
Planning tips
- Check the weekday: in 2027, Labour Day (1 May) falls on a Saturday and Boxing Day on a Sunday so neither creates an extra weekday off, giving 2027 slightly fewer long weekends than 2026.
- Buy groceries and alcohol before any multi-day weekend.
- Fill the fuel tank before the road trip; many rural stations are unmanned and card-only.
- Book accommodation outside Reykjavik 2 to 3 months ahead for Easter, Commerce Day and Christmas.
- Holiday hours vary by business and change year to year, so confirm directly for attractions, pools and restaurants.
Public holiday details above reflect schedules as of 2026. If you are planning a trip around a holiday, also review when to visit Iceland for weather and daylight.