Iceland (IS)
Iceland is a North Atlantic volcanic island nation of extraordinary natural beauty — home to geysers, glaciers, lava fields, midnight sun, the Northern Lights, and some of the world's most active volcanoes.
Capital: Reykjavik
Region: Europe
Language: Icelandic
Currency: ISK (kr)
Cost of living: Expensive (index 85)
Emergency: 112
Premium
Public Holidays 2026
19 holidays in Iceland. Some may vary by region.
January 2026
Thu 1
New Year's Day Public Holiday
Nýársdagur
New Year's Day. Iceland celebrates New Year's Eve (Gamlársdagur) with some of Europe's most spectacular bonfire and fireworks traditions — communities gather around enormous bonfires and Reykjavik's entire population seems to be launching fireworks simultaneously at midnight.
Fri 23
Þorrablót Season begins Optional
Þorri (first day)
Not a public holiday but an important cultural event. Þorrablót is a midwinter festival held throughout January–February, celebrating ancient Norse heritage with traditional foods including hákarl (fermented shark), svið (singed sheep's head), slátur (offal sausage), and Brennivín schnapps. Many companies and associations hold Þorrablót dinners during this period.
February 2026
Mon 16
Bolludagur Optional
Bolludagur
Cream Puff Day — the Monday before Lent. Children traditionally wake their parents with decorated paddles (bolluvöndur) to earn cream puffs. Bakeries sell enormous quantities of choux pastry cream puffs. Not a public holiday but universally observed.
Tue 17
Sprengidagur Optional
Sprengidagur
Bursting Day (Shrove Tuesday) — traditionally a day of feasting on salted lamb and split pea soup before Lent. The name refers to eating until you burst. Not a public holiday but the soup is served in many homes and restaurants.
Wed 18
Öskudagur Optional
Öskudagur
Ash Wednesday. Children dress in costumes and collect candy from shops by singing songs. A distinctly Icelandic tradition blending carnival and religious calendar. Not a public holiday.
April 2026
Thu 2
Maundy Thursday Public Holiday
Skírdagur
The Thursday before Easter — a public holiday. Most businesses close at midday or all day. The start of the long Easter weekend.
Fri 3
Good Friday Public Holiday
Föstudagurinn langi
Good Friday — public holiday. Most businesses closed. A day of quiet and reflection in the Lutheran tradition.
Sun 5
Easter Sunday Public Holiday
Páskadagur
Easter Sunday — public holiday. Family gatherings and traditional foods. The combination of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and Easter Monday creates a 4-day holiday weekend.
Mon 6
Easter Monday Public Holiday
Annar í páskum
Easter Monday — public holiday. Shops and businesses closed. Many Icelanders take this opportunity for short domestic trips.
Thu 23
First Day of Summer Public Holiday
Sumardagurinn fyrsti
UNIQUELY ICELANDIC: The First Day of Summer is one of Iceland's most joyful public holidays — a celebration of emerging from the long dark winter. Celebrated on the first Thursday after April 19th. Traditional gift-giving (sumargáfur), parades in Reykjavik and across the country, and the start of summer activities. Emotionally significant given Iceland's extreme seasonal light variation.
May 2026
Fri 1
Labour Day Public Holiday
Verkalýðsdagurinn
International Workers' Day. Given Iceland's highly unionised workforce (over 90% union membership), Labour Day carries particular significance with union marches, speeches, and celebrations across the country.
Thu 14
Ascension Day Public Holiday
Uppstigningardagur
Ascension Thursday — 39 days after Easter. Public holiday.
Sun 24
Whit Sunday (Pentecost) Public Holiday
Hvítasunnudagur
Whit Sunday — 49 days after Easter. Public holiday.
Mon 25
Whit Monday Public Holiday
Annar í hvítasunnu
Whit Monday — the day after Pentecost. Public holiday. Long Whitsun weekend.
June 2026
Wed 17
Icelandic National Day Public Holiday
Þjóðhátíðardagurinn
ICELAND'S NATIONAL DAY — commemorating the founding of the Republic of Iceland on 17 June 1944. Also the birthday of Jón Sigurðsson, the leader of the 19th-century Icelandic independence movement. Celebrated with parades, outdoor events, traditional performances, and street festivals across the country. In Reykjavik, the main parade goes past the Alþingi. One of Iceland's biggest celebrations.
August 2026
Mon 3
Commerce Day Public Holiday
Frídagur verslunarmanna
The first Monday in August — Commerce Day (Workers' Bank Holiday). One of the most popular Icelandic holidays — many families and young people travel to music festivals (Verslunarmannahelgi is Iceland's biggest festival weekend). The Westman Islands (Vestmannaeyjar) festival and numerous outdoor concerts make this a major national event. Many businesses close for the long weekend.
December 2026
Fri 25
Christmas Day Public Holiday
Jóladagur
Christmas Day — public holiday. However, like Scandinavia, the main Icelandic Christmas celebration is Christmas Eve (Jólakvöldið, 24 December) — families gather for the traditional Icelandic Christmas dinner of hangikjöt (smoked lamb) or ptarmigan (rjúpa), rice pudding, and laufabrauð. The Icelandic tradition of Jólabókaflóð (Christmas Book Flood) means exchanging books on Christmas Eve — Iceland has one of the world's highest rates of book publication per capita.
Sat 26
Second Christmas Day Public Holiday
Annar í jólum
Second Christmas Day — public holiday. Family visits, eating leftovers, and the continued holiday atmosphere. The 13 Icelandic Yule Lads (Jólasveinar) — mischievous folk figures who visit children in the 13 nights before Christmas — depart on 6 January (Þrettándinn), making the Icelandic Christmas season uniquely extended.
Thu 31
New Year's Eve Public Holiday
Gamlársdagur
New Year's Eve — public holiday in Iceland. One of the most spectacular New Year's celebrations in the world: Icelanders spend more per capita on fireworks than almost any other nation, and the entire capital erupts in a simultaneous massive display at midnight. Giant community bonfires (brennur) are lit across the country in the evening.
Note: Some holidays in Iceland apply only to specific regions or states. Check local regulations for your area.