Christmas and New Year in Akureyri
Visitors coming to Akureyri during Christmas and New Year can enjoy the cultural festive celebrations of the holidays along with colourful Christmas lights & decorations. New Year´s Eve is greatly celebrated in Iceland and you can attend an enormous town bonfire and watch a fantastic firework display that lights up the night sky above the town. Every year the atmosphere is amazing. For Event Calender click here.
Hotel Kea and Icelandair Hotel offer accommodation and restaurant service during the holidays and many smaller guesthouses and apartments offer accommodation with self-catering facilities. Note that the hotel restaurants must be pre booked for dinner over Christmas and New Year´s Eve.
Opening hours in other restaurants, shops etc. varies during the holidays, most close around noon on the 24. December and reopen on the 26. December the same applies to New Year´s Eve. For further details - see the overview for Christmas and New Year.
The largest ski area in Iceland Hlíđarfjall ( www.hlidarfjall.is/en ) is open during most of the winter holidays and most of the tour operators in town offer various tours during the holidays.
For information on available activities and opening hours on general basis during the winter season.
How to get there:
Icelandair (www.icelandair.com) and WOW air (www.wowair.com) fly to Keflavik Airport in south Iceland from many European and North American destinations. These flights can easily be combined with a domestic flight from the domestic airport in Reykjavik to Akureyri. The domestic flights take about 45 minutes and are offered several times a day ( http://www.airiceland.is/ ). It is also possible drive between Reykjavík and Akureyri a distance of approx 400 km along the main road no 1. Scheduled busses run daily www.straeto.is and the bus ride takes about 6-7 hours. By private car the drive takes about 5 hrs.
Related to the Christmas also visit The Christmas Cat at Ráđhústorg Square.
Events of the advent festival 2018:
Saturday 24th November
10.00-16.00 Christmas crafts market at Skógarlundur
13.00-17.00 Handcraft and design exhibition at Pakkhúsiđ PopUp Strandgata 43
14.00-17.00 Shelter! Exhibition by Nathalie Lavoie with Steve Nicoll at Deiglan
14.00-17.00 Art exhibition by Joris Rademaker at Mjólkurbúđin Gallery
15.00 Opening of exhibition Nerves, Final Projects 2018 at Akureyri Art Museum
16.00-17.00 Life‘s PLAY-fullness performance art at Akureyri Art Museum
16.00 Christmas tree in town square will be lit
20.30 „Kabarett/Cabaret“ musical in Icelandic at Akureyri Theatre
Sunday 25th November
14.00-17.00 Shelter! Exhibition by Nathalie Lavoie with Steve Nicoll at Deiglan
14.00-17.00 Art exhibition by Joris Rademaker at Mjólkurbúđin Gallery
16.00 North Iceland Symphonic Orchestra performs Ólafur Liljurós by composer Jórunn Viđar at Hof Cultural Center
Tuesday 27th November
16.30 Christmas cards crafting for adults at Municipal Library
21.00 Peaceful concert with local musician Ivan Mendez at Glerárkirkja Church
Thursday 29th November
16.00-16.30 Guided tour on the exhibition Ideas at Akureyri Art Museum
20.00 DJ Kveldúlfur & Vélarnar at Gil Coffee Shop
21.00 Jazz concert with Andrea Gylfa, Pálmi Gunnars, Phil Doyle & Einar Valur at R5 Bar
Friday 30th November
14.00-22.00 Open studio and market at Hjartalag textile design, Ţórunnarstrćti 97
16.00 Art exhibition by Helga Sigríđur Valdemarsdóttir opens at University of Akureyri - Library
20.30 „Kabarett/Cabaret“ musical in Icelandic at Akureyri Theatre
22.00 Concert with band Moses Hightower at Grćni Hatturinn
Saturday 1st December
13.00 „Stúfur hinn óstöđvandi“ Christmas theatre play for children in Icelandic at Akureyri Theatre
13.00-17.00 Advent market – Icelandic design and handcraft at Giliđ Studios
13.00-17.00 Art and crafts market at Deiglan
13.00-17.00 Open studio and market at Hjartalag textile design, Ţórunnarstrćti 97
14.00 Exhibition "Bćjarbragur: Í upphafi fullveldis" 100 years of Icelandic Independence and Sovereignty, opens at the Municipal Library
14.00-18.00 Advent at Freyjulundur - Artists' open studio
15.00 Sovereignty revisited, Part two - The Rose Party. Performance art at Akureyri Art Museum
16.00-17.00 Live music at Gil Coffee Shop
16.00 Art exhibition XO by Heiđdís Halla Bjarnadóttir opens at Brunir Horse, Eyjafjarđarsveit
20.00 „Fullveldiskantata“ classical concert in musical style by composer Michael Jón Clarke at Hof Cultural Center
22.00 „Fullveldispartý“. Concert with Icelandic bands at Grćni Hatturinn
Sunday 2nd December
13.00 „Stúfur hinn óstöđvandi“ Christmas theatre play for children in Icelandic at Akureyri Theatre
13.30-16.00 Christmas 1918 at the Old Turf Farm Laufás
14.00-18.00 Advent at Freyjulundur - Artists' open studio
17.00 "Ilmur af jólum" Christmas concert with Hera Björk at Akureyri Church
Monday 3th December
17.30 Christmas Concert with Akureyri Music School Brass bands at Hof Cultural Center
Tuesday 4th December
18.00 Christmas Concert with Akureyri Music School Students at Hof Cultural Center
Wednesday 5th December
17.00-21.00 Open studio and market at Hjartalag textile design, Ţórunnarstrćti 97
Thursday 6th December
16.00-16.30 Guided tour on the exhibition Life‘s PLAY-fullness at Akureyri Art Museum
21.00 Jazz concert with local musicians Hilda Örvars & Krissi Edelstein at R5 Bar
Friday 7th December
12.00-22.00 Akureyri Art Museum open
17.00 Pastelrit book releasing party at Flóra
19.00 „Norđurljós“ Christmas concert at Hof Cultural Center
20.00-22.00 Art and crafts market at Deiglan
20.00-22.00 Art exhibition at RÖSK Rými
20.00-23.00 Art exhibition 529 m a.s.l. by Tereza Kociánová opens at Kaktus
20.00-22.00 Candlelight night in the town center and Art Street
21.00 Concert with local musician Ţorsteinn Kári at Gil Coffee Shop
22.00 „Norđurljós“ Christmas concert at Hof Cultural Center
Saturday 8th December
12.00-17.00 Christmas program at Glerártorg Shopping Mall
13.00 „Stúfur hinn óstöđvandi“ Christmas theatre play for children in Icelandic at Akureyri Theatre
13.00-17.00 Advent market – Icelandic design and handcraft at Giliđ Studios
13.00-17.00 Art and crafts market at Deiglan
14.00-17.00 Art exhibition 529 m a.s.l. by Tereza Kociánová at Kaktus
14.00-17.00 Art exhbition at RÖSK Rými
14.00-17.00 Christmas sales exhibition at Mjólkurbúđin Gallery
14.00-16.00 Christmas bazaar by International women's coffee at the Municipal Library
15.00 Art exhibition Hafiđ/ La Mer/ The Sea by Ange Leccia opens at Akureyri Art Museum
16.30 Rún Árnadóttir plays the cello at Gil Coffee Shop
19.00 „Norđurljós“ Christmas concert at Hof Cultural Center
22.00 Concert with Jón Jónsson & Friđrik Dór, Icelandic musicians at Grćni Hatturinn
Sunday 9th December
11.00 and 15.00 Christmas Show by Steps Dancecenter at Hof Cultural Center
13.00 „Stúfur hinn óstöđvandi“ Christmas theatre play for children in Icelandic at Akureyri Theatre
14.00-17.00 Christmas sales exhibition at Mjólkurbúđin Gallery
14.00-17.00 Art exhibition 529 m a.s.l. by Tereza Kociánová at Kaktus
17.00 & 20.00 Christmas carols at Akureyri Church - Choir concert
Wednesday 12th December
17.00 Make your own Christmas Sweater at Municipal Library
Thursday 13th December
16.00-16.30 Guided tour on the exhibition Selected works at Akureyri Art Museum
19.00-21.00 Advent evening at Nonni's House and Akureyri Museum - Free admission
20.00 Christmas concert with female choir Kvennakór Akureyrar at Akureyri Church
21.00 Concert with Jónas Sig at Grćni Hatturinn
21.00 Beatur, entertainer & musician at R5 Bar
Friday 14th December
17.00 Candlelight evening at Akureyri Thermal Pool. Christmas music and candlelights.
19.00 „Heima um jólin“ Christmas concert at Hof Cultural Center
20.00-23.00 Opening of art exhibition Horror vacui by Serena Grisi at Kaktus
21.00 Concert with local musician Tumi Hrannar Pálmason at Gil Coffee Shop
Saturday 15th December
12.00-19.00 Christmas market at Holtsel, Eyjafjarđarsveit - gourmet food and crafts
13.00-17.00 Advent market – Icelandic design and handcraft at Giliđ Studios
13.00-17.00 Farmers' Advent Market at Cafe Laut in Botanical Garden
13.00-18.00 Book publishing party and illustration exhibition at Deiglan
14.00-17.00 Christmas sales exhibition at Mjólkurbúđin Gallery
14.00-17.00 Art exhibition Horror vacui by Serena Grisi at Kaktus
14.00-18.00 Advent at Freyjulundur - Artists' open studio
14.30-16.00 Advent at the Botanical Garden
16.00 „Heima um jólin“ Christmas concert at Hof Cultural Center
16.00 Opening of art exhibition by Habbý Ósk at Hof Cultural Center
16.00 Pop up market - Handcraft and design at Krónan, Hafnarstrćti in Town Center
17.00 Charity concert "Christmas Gathering" at Akureyri Church
18.00 Snorri Ásmundsson Christmass Special at Akureyri Art Museum
19.00 „Heima um jólin“ Christmas concert at Hof Cultural Center
20.00 Christmas concert with local musicians Helga, Hilda & Pálmi at Hlađan, Litli-Garđur
22.00 „Heima um jólin“ Christmas concert at Hof Cultural Center
Sunday 16th December
12.00-18.00 Christmas market at Holtsel, Eyjafjarđarsveit - gourmet food and crafts
13.00-17.00 Farmers' Advent Market at Cafe Laut in Botanical Garden
13.00-18.00 Book publishing party and illustration exhibition at Deiglan
14.00-17.00 Christmas sales exhibition at Mjólkurbúđin Gallery
14.00-18.00 Advent at Freyjulundur - Artists' open studio
15.00-18.00 Art exhibition Horror vacui by Serena Grisi at Kaktus
16.00 „Heima um jólin“ Christmas concert at Hof Cultural Center
16.00 Christmas concert with Glerárkirkja Choir and Senior Citizen Choir at Glerárkirkja Church
20.00 Christmas concert with KK and Ellen at Akureyri Church
Monday 17th December
13.00-18.00 Beate & Helgi's Christmas Shop by Flóra. Local handcraft, art and more.
19.00-22.00 Christmas Pop-Up at Vefstóllinn, Art Street - Local art, design, second hand and more
Tuesday 18th December
13.00-18.00 Beate & Helgi's Christmas Shop by Flóra. Local handcraft, art and more.
19.00-22.00 Christmas Pop-Up at Vefstóllinn, Art Street - Local art, design, second hand and more
Wednesday 19th December
13.00-18.00 Beate & Helgi's Christmas Shop by Flóra. Local handcraft, art and more.
16.00-16.30 Concert with flute students from Akureyri Music School at Akureyri Art Museum
21.00 Christmas concert with Sigríđur Thorlacius and Sigurđur Guđmundsson at Grćni Hatturinn
Thursday 20th December
12.00-13.00 Calmness and prayer moment at Akureyri Church
13.00-18.00 Beate & Helgi's Christmas Shop by Flóra. Local handcraft, art and more.
16.00-16.30 Guided tour on the exhibition Expressions at Akureyri Art Museum
21.00 Poetry night with Sóknarskáld at Gil Coffee Shop
21.00 Diana Sus - Jazz Christmas at R5 Bar
21.00 Christmas concert with Sigríđur Thorlacius and Sigurđur Guđmundsson at Grćni Hatturinn
Friday 21st December
13.00-18.00 Beate & Helgi's Christmas Shop by Flóra. Local handcraft, art and more.
20.00 Christmas concert with Eyţór Ingi with local choirs at Glerárkirkja church
20.30 Concert with singer/songwriter Bubbi at Hof Cultural Center
21.00 Christmas concert with Stebbi Jak and Andri Ívars at Grćni Hatturinn
21.00 Concert with local musician Birkir Blćr at Gil Coffee Shop
22.15 Christmas concert with Eyţór Ingi with local choirs at Glerárkirkja church
23.59 Herra Hnetusmjör x Séra Bjössi at Sjallinn Club
Saturday 22nd December
13.00-22.00 Advent market – Icelandic design and handcraft at Giliđ Studios
13.00-18.00 Beate & Helgi's Christmas Shop by Flóra. Local handcraft, art and more.
14.00-17.00 Christmas sales exhibition at Mjólkurbúđin Gallery
14.00-18.00 Advent at Freyjulundur - Artists' open studio
21.00 Christmas concert with choir Hymnodia at Akureyri Church
22.00 Concert with Icelandic band Á Móti Sól at Grćni Hatturinn
Sunday 23rd December
Akureyri Art Museum open until 22.00 - Free admission
13.00-21.00 Beate & Helgi's Christmas Shop by Flóra. Local handcraft, art and more.
14.00-17.00 Christmas sales exhibition at Mjólkurbúđin Gallery
14.00-18.00 Advent at Freyjulundur - Artists' open studio
16.00-17.00 and 21.00-22.00 Christmas concert - Rún Árnadóttir plays the cello at Gil Coffee Shop
20.00 Peace walk from Akureyri Theatre to Ráđhústorg Town Square
Monday 24th December - Christmas Eve
18.00 Christmas Evensong at Akureyri Church
18.00 Christmas Evensong at Glerárkirkja Church
23.00 Midnight Mass at Glerárkirkja Church
23.30 Midnight Mass at Akureyri Church
Tuesday 25th December - Christmas Day
13.30 Christmas Mass at Glerárkirkja Church
14.00 Christmas Mass at Akureyri Church
Wednesday 26th December - Boxing Day
14.00 Hrísey Island - Dance around the Christmas Tree at the Sport Center
17.00-18.00 Christmas Mass at Akureyri Museum Church
22.00 Killer Queen tribute concert at Grćni Hatturinn
Thursday 27th December
16.00-16.30 Guided tour on the exhibition Life's PLAY-fullness at Akureyri Art Museum
22.00 Concert with rap band Úlfur Úlfur at Grćni Hatturinn
Friday 28th December
20.00 Art exhibition by Cheng Yin Ngan at Deiglan
20.30 Musical Cabarett/Kabarett in Icelandic at Akureyri Theatre
22.00 Concert with Jónas Sig & Ritvélar Framtíđarinnar at Grćni Hatturinn
Saturday 29th December
12.00-17.00 Art exhibition by Cheng Yin Ngan at Deiglan
20.30 Musical Cabarett/Kabarett in Icelandic at Akureyri Theatre
22.00 Concert with Jónas Sig & Ritvélar Framtíđarinnar at Grćni Hatturinn
Sunday 30th December
12.00-17.00 Art exhibition by Cheng Yin Ngan at Deiglan
22.00 Concert with Helgi & Hljóđfćraleikararnir at Grćni Hatturinn
Monday 31th December
17.00 New Year's Eve Bonfire at Hrísey Island
20.00 New Year's Eve Bonfire at Grímsey Island
20.30 New Year's Eve Bonfire and Fireworks at Réttarhvammur by the road to Hlíđarfjall Ski Resort
Akureyrarstofa
