New Year‘s Eve in Iceland

New Year‘s Eve in Iceland is one of those things that should be on everyone‘s bucket list. We are totally not biased at all! It‘s just the greatest. It’s like 4th of July, Bonfire night and Midsummer’s Eve all in one fabulous evening.

Let us tell you how that might be!

All around the country, huge bonfires are lit. Municipalities take weeks collecting timber from all over to make their bonfire as big as possible. At 20:30, the fire is lit, and people are attracted to it like a moth to a flame.

Despite the heat from the fire, many people carry a flask on them for that extra heat-kick. And then there are the fireworks, of course. People use the opportunity to start firing up those bad boys and practice for the big blowout at Midnight.

The Bonfire is, of course, one of the traditions. Another one is to watch the annual comedy show shown on the National Icelandic Broadcasting Service. It is one of Icelanders favourite past time and gives fuel for heated debates for the whole night and the days to come when people start work again in the New Year. Was it funny? Was it not funny? Why was it not funny? Do you always find it boring but still watch? Do you make loud proclamations about not watching it (but still secretly do)? You can watch it on RUV2 on the TV or online with English subtitles if you want to be in the know! The show starts at 22:30 on the dot.

As we said at the beginning, New Year’s Eve in Iceland is something that should be on everyone’s bucket list. If the bonfires aren’t enough or the comedy show – full of jokes you probably don’t get, then the fireworks will surely draw you in!

Regularly voted as one of the best places to spend New Year’s Eve at, Iceland is famous for the stupid amount of fireworks they shoot up. There are practically no regulations on who can shoot up fireworks, the only law is that it is only allowed between 28th of December and 6th of January. Quentin Tarantino once spent time during New Year’s in Iceland and said it was like being in a warzone!

After the comedy show ends, people pour out and start shooting up. You will not need a clock because come Midnight, everything becomes crazy!

Since this is New Year’s Eve after all, we ask you to leave your Blue rental car at your accommodation and enjoy the party on foot (or in a taxi).