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New Year’s Day
Iceland

New Year’s Day 2024, 2025 and 2026 in Iceland

Iceland celebrates New Year’s Day with a public holiday every 1 January, as does most of the rest of the world. However, the celebrations really begin on New Year’s Eve and reach a high point with the turning of the clock from 11:59pm on 31 December to midnight on 1 January.

YearDateDayHoliday
20241 JanMonNew Year's Day
31 DecTueNew Year's Eve
20251 JanWedNew Year's Day
31 DecWedNew Year's Eve
20261 JanThuNew Year's Day
31 DecThuNew Year's Eve
20271 JanFriNew Year's Day
31 DecFriNew Year's Eve
Please scroll down to end of page for previous years' dates.

New Year’s Day is a time of resolutions and starting fresh for some, while for others it is spent recovering from a big, late night spent with friends and family.

Iceland may be a land of ice and snow, especially during the winter months, but it becomes a land of fireworks on New Year’s Eve. In fact, Icelanders spend huge amounts on fireworks each year and set them off for around a week straight. Partly, this is to help support local search-and-rescue teams that rely on income from fireworks sales.

Icelanders generally gather for family dinner at 6pm or 7pm on 31 December. Then they head out to a local bonfire to meet with friends and shoot off fireworks. Next, they usually watch the famous TV comedy-satire called “Aramotaskaup”, which has been a holiday favourite since the 1960s.

Just before 12am, everyone heads back to the streets to watch more fireworks and cheer when the new year arrives. Many stay out at restaurants or parties until the wee hours of the next morning. There are also many galas, bonfire tours, and fireworks cruises available on New Year’s Eve in Iceland.

Previous Years

YearDateDayHoliday
20231 JanSunNew Year's Day
31 DecSunNew Year's Eve
20221 JanSatNew Year's Day
31 DecSatNew Year's Eve