How does Iceland celebrate Christmas?

Answer 1

The official public holidays in Iceland are as followed

New Year's Day - January 1

Palm Sunday (m)

Maundy Thursday (m)

Good Friday (m)

Easter Day (m)

Easter Monday (m)

First Day of Summer (m)

May Day - May 1st

Ascension (m)

Whit Sunday (m)

Whit Monday (m)

The Seamen's Day (m)

Icelandic National Day - June 17

Commerce Day (m)

Christmas - December 24-26

New Year's Eve - December 31

(m) = Holiday date can change

Answer 2

Not everyone celebrates Easter, as it's a Christian Holiday, however, those that do, not always "hide Easter eggs". The original tradition of what we refer to as the Easter Egg, was actually given as gifts by the Easter Bunny (the bunny being a sign of fertility), the eggs were painted bright colors that represented the "Spring Sun".

The history of Easter is a rather interesting one, here in an excerpt from the History Channel website that explains a little about the Pagan history behind Easter.

Easter, a Christian festival, embodies many pre-Christian traditions. The origin of its name is unknown. Scholars, however, accepting the derivation proposed by the 8th-century English scholar St. Bede, believe it probably comes from Eastre, the Anglo-Saxon name of a Teutonic goddess of spring and fertility, to whom was dedicated a month corresponding to April. Her festival was celebrated on the day of the vernal equinox; traditions associated with the festival survive in the Easter rabbit, a symbol of fertility, and in colored Easter eggs, originally painted with bright colors to represent the sunlight of spring, and used in Easter-egg rolling contests or given as gifts.

You can check out more of the information at:

http://www.history.com/content/Easter/what-is-Easter

With all the history I forgot to say this, those that would or do celebrate Easter in Iceland, I am sure would do it the way it is traditionally done, as with many holiday celebrations, the way they celebrate depends on their Religious beliefs and traditions.

Answer 3

They celebrate the birth of Jesus. Even though its always snowy they still might be christians AND it is still the 25th of December; Australia celebrtate it in their summer and our winter on the beach!

Answer 4

mostly like America does....but icelanders open they'r Christmas presents on the 24'th not the 25'th. Also Iceland has 13 santa clauses called the Jule Lads: Stekkjastaur, Giljagaur, Stúfur, Þvörusleikir, Pottasleikir, Askasleikir, Hurðaskellir, Skyrgámur, Bjúgnakrækir, Gluggagægir, Gáttaþefur, Ketkrókur and Kertasníkir. So Icelandic kids get 13 little presents instead of 1 big one.

Answer 5

Icelanders have a long tradition of Christmas that extends for more than 6 months commencing on June 3rd. It coincides with the Icelandic herring run which for some reason, has always started on June 3rd. Icelandic herring spawn in North America at or near the origin of the Hudson River in upstate New York in Flayers Creek, NY finally arriving in Iceland on June 3rd.

It is believed that Eric the Red (Erik den Røde), the original settler of Greenlandreturned to Iceland from exile in Greenland on or about the year 972. He declared that the beginning of the Christmas season would exactly coincide with the herring run and ultimately conclude on January 1st in time for the New Years festivities. Subsequently for the last millennium, Icelanders have waited for Christmas to begin in June and would normally start to decorate their Christmas hedges (in Iceland, hedges are used instead of Christmas trees) in June and they would normally be finished by December 15th. The aforementioned herring would be caught, dried and placed under the Christmas hedges as a traditional way of 'rewarding' Santa Claus for the gifts he brings. In some areas in Iceland the herring are used as Christmas ornaments and hung on the hedges.

Answer 6

Christmas is often known as 'Yule' or 'Jól' in Iceland. This comes from the ancient Winter Solstice celebrations that were appropriated and adapted by converts to Christianity so that they could continue the celebration ostensibly without still being pagan...

Aðfangadagur - Christmas Eve / Yule Eve

Celebrations start at Iceland at 6.00pm on Yule Eve. This may have come from old Icelandic tradition, when a new day started at 6.00pm not midnight. Icelandic children open their presents after the evening meal on Aðfangadagur. This is when the Yule celebrations really start!

Jóladagur - Christmas Day / Yule Day

Jóladagur is usually celebrated with the extended family. The main Yule meal is 'Hangikjöt', a leg of roast lamb. Sometimes 'Rjúpa' (Rock Ptarmigan a sea bird) is also eaten. Another Yule meal speciality is 'Laufabrauð' or leaf bread. This is made of thin sheets of dough cut into delicate patterns and fried. Each family often has their own patterns for the Laufabrauð.

Answer 7

13 people in santa suits march around

Answer 8

Christians and pretty much everyone else.