New Year’s Eve

New Year’s Eve
If Icelanders don’t drink on Christmas Eve, they most certainly make up for it on New Year’s Eve. New Year’s Eve is probably the biggest party night of the whole year. The most distinguishing characteristic of an Icelandic New Year’s Eve are the fireworks. Everyone buys fireworks and on this night everyone is allowed light fireworks (ususally requires special permission from the authorities). And Icelanders make sure they take full advantage of that. Fireworks are lighted all night long, reaching the high point at midnight, when the sky lights up for a few minutes as the fire trucks and harbored ships ring their bells and blow their horns to welcome the new year. It is certainly the grandest display of fireworks you will ever see. After midnight, people gather either downtown to go clubbing or at parties where they drink the night away, often until the early hours of the morning.
Understandably, there is usually not much activity in Iceland on New Year’s Day, except perhaps for the younger children who run out to gather the sticks from the fireworks and there is often fierce competition over who find the most.

The ‘Christmas Cat’

The ‘Christmas Cat’
An old Icelandic folklore states that everyone has to get one new piece of clothing at Christmas. Anyone who was left out was in danger of being eaten by a malicious beast called the Christmas Cat. The Christmas Cat is Grýla’s cat (see Yule Lads) and every effort was made to ensure that no-one would “go to the Christmas Cat”. Thus, everyone worked very hard to make a new piece of clothing for each member of the household.
The first stories about the Christmas Cat arose in the 19th century and were probably aimed at lazy children. It seemes to have worked as, to this day, everyone gets a new piece of clothing either before or at Christmas.
Similar stories exist about a bull in the Baltics and about a goat in Norway.

The Yule Lads

The Yule Lads
Icelanders have not one, but thirteen Santas, or Yule Lads. These lads are not related to Santa Claus in any way. They are descendants of trolls and were originally used to scare children. In the last century, however, they have become a lot friendlier.
The number of Yule Lads has varied throughout the centuries but now they are consistently thirteen. The number 13 was first seen in a poem in the 18th century and the names that they carry today was published in Jón Árnason’s folklore collection of 1862. Their current names are: Stekkjastaur (Sheepfold Stick), Giljagaur (Gilly Oaf), Stúfur (Shorty), Þvörusleikir (Spoon-licker), Pottasleikir (Pot-licker), Askasleikir (Bowl-licker), Hurðaskellir (Door-slammer), Skyrgámur (Skyr-glutton), Bjúgnakrækir (Sausage-pilfer), Gluggagægir (Peeper), Gáttaþefur (Sniffer), Ketkrókur (Meat-hook) and Kertasníkir (Candle-begger). As you can tell from these names, the lads are very mischievous and they have retained their unique characteristics to this day. They live in the mountains with their parents, Grýla and Leppalúði. They come to town, one by one, in the days before Christmas. The first one arrives on December 12th and the last one on December 23rd. Formerly, they tried to pilfer their favorite things or play tricks on people (hence their names), but now their main role is to give children small gifts. Every child in Iceland puts their best shoe on their bedroom window sill on December 12th (some try to put their boot, in the hope that they may get more, but so far the Yule Lads haven’t been fooled) and they get a small gift from each lad when he arrives in town. But beware not to be naughty or the lad might just leave a rotten potatoe in your shoe!
Their original clothing are rags that are similar to farmer’s clothes in the 18th century. and they are often seen carrying their favorite food. Nowadays, however, they are usually seen in familiar red clothing with white beards and black boots.
They often make appearances at Christmas dances, which are very popular among Icelandic children. Children (adults are of course welcome to join them) dance around a Christmas tree and sing carols. The highlight of the dance is when one of the Yule Lads joins the celebration and dances and sings with the kids and usually gives them a goody bag before he leaves.
The day after Christmas the first lad returns to the mountains. Then they leave, one by one, until the last one leaves on January 6th, which is the last day of the Christmas season.

Iceland Airwaves

The hippest long weekend on the annual music festival calendar” by David Fricke of Rolling Stone, Airwaves celebrates its 11th year of featuring cutting edge acts and general debauchery in one of the most unique settings on earth, the eclectic and intimate venues throughout Reykjavik’s charming city centre.
This year’s festival features more than 100 acts from Iceland, the UK, Scandinavia and North America. Airwaves will continue to attract a large crowd from the UK, especially given the extremely favorable exchange rate.

The Eurovision Song Contest

The Nordic countries enjoyed an excellent Eurovision 2009, with all five Nordic songs progressing to the final and Norway and Iceland ending up first and second.
Norway were runaway winners on the night in Moscow with 387 points, including top marks (12 points) from 16 countries.
Iceland came second with 218 points, including ‘Douze Points’ from three countries: Norway, Malta and Ireland.
In third place was Azerbaijan with a very respectable 207 points.
Iceland’s Johanna (Yohanna) Gudrun Jonsdottir equalled her country’s best showing when Selma also bagged second in 1999.
Norway’s Alexander Rybak brings Eurovision home for the third time after Norwegian victories in 1985 and 1995.

The midwinter Viking feast of Thorrablot (Þorrablót)

The midwinter Viking feast of Thorrablot (Þorrablót) continues to be celebrated by Icelanders during the ancient Icelandic month of Thorriwhich begins which begins on the first Friday after January 19th (the 13th week of winter). Thorri is the personification of King Winter, usually depicted as a wizened old man, kind to those that respect him or cruel to those that do not. Origins of the name are unclear but are possibly derived from Thor, the god of thunder or legendary King Thor, who united Norway. Join the locals in sampling some of their more unusual culinary delicacies such as rotten shark’s meat (hákarl), boiled sheep’s head, (svið) and congealed sheep’s blood wrapped in a ram’s stomach (blóðmör)! Wash this down with some Brennivin or black death – a potent schnapps made from potato and caraway. After the Thorrablot dinner traditional songs, games and story telling are accompanied by dancing and in true Icelandic style continue in to the early hours of the morning! If you fail to receive a personal invitation to a family feast, local restaurants add Thorrablot colour and taste to their menus. For more information on events visit http://icelandgourmetguide.com

Email us icelandontrack@icelandontrack.is or call now to speak to a Trip Advisor +354 899 5438 /+354 895 0985

Snowmobile Experience

Snowmobile tours provide a unique opportunity to mix adventure and sightseeing experiences together, and are a key to a great day in Iceland. Experience Iceland’s most spectacular scenery from the freedom of a snowmobile. Iceland on Track offers an excellent variety of snowmobile experiences. During spring, summer and fall snowmobile activities are in full swing on the following glaciers: Langjökull or Mýrdalsjökull. In high winter, depending on snow condition the snowmobiles are moved closer to Reykjavík. You have the option of visiting few places of interest after of before the tour.

Email us icelandontrack@icelandontrack.is or call now to speak to a Trip Advisor +354 899 5438 /+354 895 0985