Something for December: The Insane Holiday Traditions Edition

A roundup of things to do in Iceland this December, as prepared by your door-slamming editors.

It sounds cliché, but Christmas in Iceland is really a magical time.  Maybe it’s the reindeer and snow, or Icelander’s willingness to throw themselves head-first into any and all celebrations. Whatever the reason, there is little doubt that a Holiday Season spent here will never be forgotten.

• All month the Reykjavík suburb of Hafnarfjörður tempts Santa into testing the North Pole’s real estate market with their Christmas Village. Where else will you find a holiday celebration with horse riding, psychics, a Viking banquet, and elves?
• Watch Icelanders reluctantly accept the charity of their Nordic neighbors at the lighting of the Oslo Tree downtown. What’s so great about forests, anyway?
• Keep a hand on your sausage as the Yule Lads make their yearly visits starting the night of the 11th. Who knew that 13 little boys could make so much trouble?
• Has the smell of cat urine ever made you hungry? Tuck into some rotten fish on Þorláksmessa 23 December. What a way to honor the patron saint of Iceland.
• Catch a New Year’s fireworks display that would make Jack Bauer crap his pants 31 December. 300,000 people, 1000+ tons of fireworks… you do the math.

And hey - let’s be careful out there.