New Year

The New Year in Akureyri is celebrated in the traditional Icelandic way. An enourmouse bonfire at Réttarhvamm (area on the way up to Hlíðarfjall ski centre) kicks off the celebrations around 8pm and then at 9pm a wonderful fireworks display follows, hosted by the local search and rescue organisation Súlur.

 Concerts and dances are held in the town way into the early hours of the morning and leading up to the midnight hour thousands of fireworks will light up the sky above Akureyri, creating a unique atmosphere, welcoming in a New Year.

Both Hotel Kea and Icelandair hotel in Akureyri are open during the Holiday’s. A gala dinner will be offered both on New Years evening (31.12) and New Year day (1.1) at both hotels. Reservations are recommended and can be made on following phone numbers/email.
At hotel Kea: Phone (+354) 460 2000, kea@keahotels.is
At Icelandair hotel: Phone: (+354) 5181000, akureyri@icehotels.is

Hliðafjall  the ski centre of Akureyri is open  during New Year and for those wanting to participate in organized tours there are several tour oporators working are available like: jeep tours, gourmet tours, hiking, horse riding, snow scooter tours, northern light tours ect.

The opening hours of the Tourist office, local shops, swimming pools, the ski centre at Hlíðafjall, accommodations, restaurants during the period from 23. December 2011 - 3.rd January 2012 can be found HERE For general openinghours during winter look here.

Events and activities during New Year weekend: 2011

29. December Thursday
Flóra – Snorri Ásmundsson – artist - discussion at 20 – 22.00
Leikfélag Akureyrar – Theatre “Saga þjóðar” shown in Rýmið at 19.00
Library Amtsbókasafnið – concert and poems with Svavari Knút at 17.00

30. December. Friday
Græni hatturinn – Concert “Helgi og hljóðfæraleikararnir” at 22.00
Populus Tremula – Various New Year events at 22.00.
Lón – Accordion-dance kl. 22.00 – 02.00
Different pubs and nightclubs are open e.g. Götubarinn, Kaffi Akureyri, Kaffi Amor, Pósthúsbarnum

31. December, New Years Eve, Saturday
Bonfire at Réttarhvammur at. 20.30, bonfire by the island Hrísey at 17.00 and by the island Grímsey at 20.00
Sjallinn – Concert and dance with Páll Óskar. The house opens at 1.30
Different pubs and nightclubs are open e.g. Götubarinn, Kaffi Akureyri, Kaffi Amor, Pósthúsbarnum