Iceland in December

December is Iceland at its darkest and, for a lot of visitors, its most magical: solstice-short days, Christmas markets, ice caves and aurora over snow. The catch is the holiday spike — Dec 20–Jan 2 is the most expensive and crowded stretch of the winter. Plan a compressed day and book the popular dates early.

What is the weather and daylight like in December?

December has the shortest days of the year — about 4–5 hours of usable daylight around the solstice on the 21st, with sunrise near 11:20 and sunset near 15:30 in Reykjavík. Bring a headlamp; you’ll be out in the dark at both ends of the day.

Temperatures sit near 2°C high and -3°C low in Reykjavík, colder and snowier inland. Storms are frequent, and wind is what closes roads. Read the Veður.is forecast and warnings before each drive — never assume the conditions from a photo.

What is open and what is closed in December?

The Ring Road and the Golden Circle stay open and are plowed first, so the South Coast loop runs all month, with regular storm closures east of Vík — check road.is every morning.

Highland F-roads are closed for winter. Natural ice caves are in peak season as guided tours. Reykjavík runs Christmas markets and events through the month. Note that opening hours compress around the holidays: many shops, restaurants and some attractions close or run short hours on Dec 24–26 and Jan 1.

What should you actually do in December?

Lean into the season. Visit the Reykjavík Christmas markets, hunt the aurora on clear nights (the long darkness gives a wide window), and book a natural ice cave tour while the caves are at their bluest.

Drive the South Coast for snow-covered Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, Reynisfjara and Jökulsárlón, and warm up in a geothermal pool or the Sky Lagoon afterward. Because daylight is so short, the indoor options — museums, pools, a long dinner — carry more of the day than they would in summer.

What should you avoid in December?

Don’t over-pack the itinerary. With ~4–5 hours of light, plan one or two real stops a day and let the rest be dark-hours activities.

Avoid driving long distances in the dark during storms, and never drive in a red wind warning. Skip one-day Reykjavík → Jökulsárlón attempts — base a night in Vík or Höfn. And don’t expect long daylight: the day is short, so do your driving and sightseeing in the midday window. Check SafeTravel before any winter drive.

How busy and expensive is December?

Two Decembers exist. The first three weeks are reasonable — proper winter, ice caves, aurora, without extreme crowds. Then Dec 20–Jan 2 becomes the price-and-crowd peak of the entire winter.

New-Year accommodation in Reykjavík often sells out months ahead, and ice caves, Christmas dinners and NYE bookings go early. If you’re flexible, travelling in early-to-mid December gets you the same darkness and ice caves at noticeably lower prices than the holiday week.

See also

• Ice cave tours — peak season in December
• Northern lights — the darkest month for aurora
• Hot springs — soaking in the snow
• Museums — for the long dark hours
• Iceland in winter — the full-season overview
• Adjacent months: November · January