Iceland in December

Darkest month, Christmas lights and fireworks; storms can close roads for days.

December is rated mixed. These months rate higher:

• JuneGreatNear-constant light, open roads, National Day on the 17th; highland roads open late in the month.
• JulyGreatWarmest and busiest; F-roads and Laugavegur trek open; book everything.
• AugustGreatStill peak; puffins leave mid-month; first dark nights for auroras at the end.
• MarchGoodBalance of light and dark: auroras plus 11–13 h of day; Easter in late March 2027.

• Reykjavík and the south-west · Reykjavík, Golden Circle, Reykjanesstorm or typhoon risk

  Mild and windy: around 0 °C (32 °F) in January, 12–14 °C (54–57 °F) in July. About 21 h of daylight in June, 4–5 h in late December.Mild and windy: around 32 °F (0 °C) in January, 54–57 °F (12–14 °C) in July. About 21 h of daylight in June, 4–5 h in late December.

• South coast · Vík, Skaftafell, Jökulsárlónstorm or typhoon risk

  The wettest and windiest lowland; sandstorms and high winds close Route 1 in places. Ice caves open roughly November–March with guides.

• North and east · Akureyri, Mývatn, Húsavík, East Fjordscool

  Colder, drier and often sunnier than the south; more snow in winter, warmer summer days.

• Highlands · Landmannalaugar, Þórsmörk, Askja, Kjölurcool

  F-roads open roughly late June to early September, dates set each year — check umferdin.is. Snow possible any month.

• East Iceland: South-east coast (Höfn) · Sand and glacier shelf below Vatnajökullcold

  Wettest and windiest part of the region; fog and rain off the glacier are common even in July.

• East Iceland: Hérað and the East Fjords · Inland around Lagarfljót and the fjord villagescold

  Sheltered inland and among the warmest places in Iceland in summer; fjord villages are cooler and windier.

• North Iceland: North Iceland coast · Akureyri, Skagafjörður, Mývatn, Húsavíkcold

  Colder and harsher than Reykjavík; winter storms can close roads. Midges around Mývatn in summer — check.

• South Iceland: South coast · Þorlákshöfn to Höfncold

  Wind is the real weather: it can close roads and doors. Winter daylight is 4–5 hours in December; June has near-24-hour light. Rain falls year-round — bring a waterproof shell, not an umbrella.

• Southwest Iceland: Reykjavík and the Reykjanes coast · capital area and peninsulacold

  Coastal wind is the main discomfort; summer highs sit near 12–15 °C (54–59 °F), winter near 0–3 °C (32–37 °F). Rain and wind change within hours.Coastal wind is the main discomfort; summer highs sit near 54–59 °F (12–15 °C), winter near 32–37 °F (0–3 °C). Rain and wind change within hours.

• West Iceland: Snæfellsnes and the coast · West Icelandcold

  May–Sep is the practical window; winter brings wind, ice and short daylight. The peninsula sticks into the Atlantic, so expect wind year-round.

• Westfjords: Westfjords coast · Ísafjörður, Patreksfjörður, fjord villagescold

  Short summer window Jun–Aug; wind and rain any month. Mountain roads and passes can close for months outside summer.

• Reykjavík2 °C (36 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 17 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 17 rain days
• Akureyri3 °C (37 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 13 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 25 °F (-4 °C), 13 rain days
• Arnarstapi3 °C (37 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 10 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 10 rain days
• Blue Lagoon3 °C (37 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 16 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 16 rain days
• Borgarnes3 °C (37 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 15 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 15 rain days
• Egilsstaðir1 °C (34 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 14 rain days34 °F (1 °C) / 23 °F (-5 °C), 14 rain days
• Eyrarbakki2 °C (36 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 15 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 15 rain days
• Fossholl2 °C (36 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 13 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 13 rain days
• Hafnarfjörður2 °C (36 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 13 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 13 rain days
• Hella2 °C (36 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 11 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 11 rain days
• Hellissandur2 °C (36 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 16 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 16 rain days
• Höfn3 °C (37 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 14 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 14 rain days
• Húsavík3 °C (37 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 14 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 14 rain days
• Hveragerði2 °C (36 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 10 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 10 rain days
• Ísafjörður2 °C (36 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 18 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 18 rain days
• Keflavík3 °C (37 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 13 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 13 rain days
• Kirkjubæjarklaustur2 °C (36 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 14 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 14 rain days
• Kópavogur3 °C (37 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 14 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 14 rain days
• Mývatn1 °C (34 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 13 rain days34 °F (1 °C) / 23 °F (-5 °C), 13 rain days
• Raufarhöfn2 °C (36 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 14 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 14 rain days
• Selfoss3 °C (37 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 13 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 13 rain days
• Seyðisfjörður2 °C (36 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 15 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 15 rain days
• Siglufjörður2 °C (36 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 9 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 9 rain days
• Skagafjörður2 °C (36 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 15 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 25 °F (-4 °C), 15 rain days
• Skógar3 °C (37 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 13 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 13 rain days
• Stokkseyri3 °C (37 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 14 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 14 rain days
• Stykkishólmur2 °C (36 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 11 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 11 rain days
• Súðavík2 °C (36 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 13 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 13 rain days
• Suðureyri2 °C (36 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 17 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 17 rain days
• Vestmannaeyjar4 °C (39 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 17 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 32 °F (0 °C), 17 rain days
• Vík í Mýrdal3 °C (37 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 16 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 16 rain days

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

• Christmas and New Year big impact

  24–26 Dec, 31 Dec – 1 Jan

  Shops and restaurants close from mid-afternoon on the 24th and 31st; huge private fireworks on New Year's Eve.

• Christmas lights and markets

  From late November to Christmas · Reykjavík

  Lit streets, Yule Lads stories and stalls; crowds on Laugavegur.

• Christmas Eve to New Year check

  24–26 December and 31 December to 1 January · Reykjavík

  Most shops and restaurants close for part of the day; New Year’s Eve fireworks are big.

Crowds · Iceland

Medium

Prices · Iceland

High

High-price month: see what to book ahead.

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Iceland, side by side.

• Layers: a fleece or light jacket
• A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast
• A spare day in the plan: storms can cancel flights and ferries

Build the full packing list for your trip →

Rated best or good this month

• Hafnarfjörður

  Best months: Jun–Aug for long days and pools; Dec weekends for the Christmas village

• Höfn

  Best months: Jun–Aug for the Ring Road and midnight light; Feb–Mar and Oct–Mar for ice caves

Better another month

• Reykjavík and the south-west

  Mild and windy: around 0 °C (32 °F) in January, 12–14 °C (54–57 °F) in July. About 21 h of daylight in June, 4–5 h in late December.Mild and windy: around 32 °F (0 °C) in January, 54–57 °F (12–14 °C) in July. About 21 h of daylight in June, 4–5 h in late December.

• South coast

  The wettest and windiest lowland; sandstorms and high winds close Route 1 in places. Ice caves open roughly November–March with guides.