Iceland in December: Daylight, Northern Lights, Christmas and What to Book

Quick facts

• Daylight: about 4–5 hours. Around the winter solstice (21 December) the sun rises near 11:20 and sets around 15:30 in Reykjavík.
• Temperature: usually between −3 °C and +4 °C in Reykjavík — milder than most people expect, but windy.
• Northern lights: the long nights make December one of the best months to look — see when the lights are best.
• Christmas: 13 Yule Lads, festive lights from late November, and the famous New Year's Eve fireworks.
• Roads: snow and ice are normal; day trips still run, but a local driver earns their keep this month.
• Crowds: quiet in early December, busy around Christmas and New Year — book transfers and tours early for 20 December–2 January.

Iceland in December is a trade: you give up daylight and get atmosphere. The famous sights — the Golden Circle, the South Coast waterfalls, the black beaches — are all open and often dusted white, the city is at its prettiest, and every long night is a northern lights lottery ticket.

How the short days actually feel

Four to five hours of "daylight" undersells it. Icelandic winter light comes with long blue twilights before sunrise and after sunset, so you realistically have six to seven usable hours — and the low sun makes everything look like golden hour. The practical rule: start day trips at first light (around 10:00) and plan indoor things — museums, pools, cafés, dinner — for the dark hours.

Weather and roads

Coastal Iceland is warmer than its latitude suggests — Reykjavík in December hovers around freezing. The real factors are wind and storms: a few days each month the weather simply wins, roads close and tours move. Build one flexible day into any December plan. If you were considering a rental car, read driving in Iceland in winter first; most of our December guests prefer a private tour where the driver watches road.is and the forecast so they don't have to.

Northern lights in December

With 19+ hours of darkness, December gives you the longest aurora window of the year. The catch is cloud: December skies are often overcast, so the game is driving to the gap in the clouds. That is exactly what our private northern lights tour does — 48,000 kr per car (1–4) or 65,000 kr per van (5–7), 3–4 hours, hotel pick-up, and we choose the direction at the last moment based on the cloud map. See the real photos from one such night in our aurora report from Reykjanes.

Christmas, Yule Lads and New Year's Eve

Iceland doesn't have one Santa — it has thirteen. The Yule Lads arrive one per night from 12 December, each with his own mischief (Spoon-Licker, Door-Slammer, Sausage-Swiper…), and children leave a shoe on the windowsill. Reykjavík's centre is strung with lights, there are Christmas markets and concerts, and the swimming pools steam away regardless of the weather. New Year's Eve is the wildest night of the year: there is no official city display — instead, everyone buys fireworks (the sales fund the volunteer rescue teams) and the whole sky over Reykjavík erupts at midnight. Our full guide: Christmas and New Year in Iceland.

• 24–26 December: most shops and many restaurants close, especially on the 24th from midday — book Christmas Eve dinner well ahead.
• 31 December: restaurants run early seatings; bonfires (brennur) light up around the city in the evening.
• Tours around the holidays: day tours generally run except 24–25 December — ask us about specific dates.

What to do in December: a realistic 4 day plan

1. Day 1: arrive, transfer to Reykjavík (from 20,500 kr per car), evening walk through the Christmas lights.
2. Day 2: Golden Circle in winter white — Þingvellir, Geysir, Gullfoss (90,000 kr per car). Northern lights attempt in the evening.
3. Day 3: South Coast at first light — Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, Reynisfjara (125,000 kr per car). Second aurora window at night.
4. Day 4: Blue Lagoon on the way to the airport — Reykjavík → Blue Lagoon → KEF, 39,000 kr per car, luggage with the driver while you soak in the warm water surrounded by snow.

The full day-by-day logic is in our 4 day itinerary; swap days freely around the weather.

What to pack

Layers beat bulk: thermal base layer, fleece, a windproof and waterproof shell, warm hat and gloves, and — most importantly — waterproof shoes with real grip, because Reykjavík pavements turn to ice. Add a swimsuit for the lagoons and pools. The complete list is in what to pack for Iceland.

FAQ

Is December a good time to visit Iceland?

How many hours of daylight does Iceland have in December?

Can you see the northern lights in Iceland in December?

How cold is Iceland in December?

Is the Golden Circle open in December?

Is the Blue Lagoon open in December?

What is closed over Christmas?

Should I rent a car in Iceland in December?

Do I need to book December tours in advance?

Coming earlier in the winter? Read Iceland in winter: what to expect and our month by month weather guide.