A favorite Christmas tradition in Iceland is the annual lighting of the Oslo Christmas tree. For more than half a century, the City of Oslo, Norway, has presented Reykjavik City with a beautiful Christmas tree placed in Austurvollur Square in the city center. Families gather with music along with the celebrated Icelandic Yule Lads to celebrate the event on Nov. 29. Busy that day? Don’t worry – we’ll leave the lights on for you well until the New Year.
Speaking of which, New Year’s Eve in Iceland is one spectacular celebration. Listen how our friends at Exploritas, the new program name for Elderhostel, Inc., explain it, “As the hands of the clock draw nearer to midnight, the black curtain of the night sky is lifted by explosions of color. One here, a few more there. They become more frequent, until from horizon to horizon, as far as the eye can see, the dark firmament has become a bursting, popping crescendo of fireworks. It is like no place else on Earth. It is New Year’s Eve in Iceland.” Five night packages are about $1,900 per person plus airfare (For more information: www.exploritas.org)
Tags: Christmas