December weather guide

Iceland weather in December

Shortest days — Christmas markets and 13 Yule Lads

Score18Tough
Typical day3°C37°F · low -2°C
Rain & sun95mm0.4 hrs sun/day
Aurora borealis over Iceland — vibrant green and blue lights dancing across a star-filled night sky
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Institutional byline · Updated

What the weather is like in December

Avg high
3°C
37°F
Avg low
-2°C
28°F
Rainfall
95mm
off-peak
Sun / day
0.4 hrs

December has the year's shortest days (4 hours of daylight at solstice, 0.4 actual sun hours). Reykjavík hosts Christmas markets and the famous 13 Yule Lads tradition runs through the month. Aurora chances are excellent when storms clear, but storms are common.

Against November, December runs 2°C cooler with 8mm more rain and 0.9 hours less sun a day.

These December averages are station normals for Reykjavik (Icelandic Met Office / NOAA, via Wikipedia, 1991-2020); other parts of Iceland vary. Full sources below.

Iceland in December, on the ground

December is Iceland’s darkest month, with only about four hours of daylight around the winter solstice in Reykjavík. The country makes up for it with Christmas lights, festive markets and a famous New Year’s Eve. Snowstorms are common, and the countryside can look its most dramatic.

Crowds and prices in December

Early December is quiet and well priced. Christmas and especially New Year’s Eve draw large crowds to Reykjavík, with hotel rates at a winter high for that week.

What to do in December

  • See the New Year’s Eve bonfires and the fireworks set off across Reykjavík at midnight.
  • Browse the Christmas village in Hafnarfjörður, just outside Reykjavík.
  • Spend the short days on Golden Circle stops close to Reykjavík, and the long evenings watching for the northern lights.

Before you book: With so little daylight, plan driving days carefully; a route that is easy in summer can take far longer in December.

What to pack for Iceland in December

  • Serious winter layers & an insulated coat
  • Hat, gloves and thermal base layers
  • A packable rain jacket or compact umbrella

What's on in December

  • Christmas markets + 13 Yule Lads (Reykjavík (Ingólfstorg + Heiðmörk)) — Reykjavík's Christmas market runs from late November through Christmas Eve. The 13 Yule Lads (Iceland's mischievous Santa equivalents) visit one per night from December 12 — a beloved local tradition.

Is December the right month?

Iceland's best month, July, is five months before December; the toughest, November, is one month before. If your dates can move, August is the nearest best-season month. See the full month-by-month breakdown for Iceland, or where else to go in December.

Where to stay in December

December is low season in Iceland: rooms cost less, but the weather is less reliable. A rate you can cancel keeps your options open.

  • Reykjavík (city center)$$$
    Base for Golden Circle + day trips, restaurantsThe natural starting and ending point. Walking distance to Hallgrímskirkja, Harpa, the harbor, and most restaurants. Most aurora day-trips depart from Reykjavík hotels.See hotels in Reykjavík for 12–18 Dec 2026
  • South Coast (Vík / Hella / Hvolsvöllur)$$
    Ring Road segment, Seljalandsfoss/Skógafoss baseMid-route stop for Ring Road travelers. Vík has the famous Reynisfjara black sand beach. Smaller villages but well-equipped guesthouses and a few standout hotels.See hotels in Iceland for 12–18 Dec 2026
  • Akureyri (North Iceland)$$
    Mývatn aurora, north Ring Road, less-visited Iceland"Capital of the north" — second-largest town in Iceland, excellent base for Mývatn (Iceland's aurora hot spot, less light pollution than the south) and the Diamond Circle.See hotels in Iceland for 12–18 Dec 2026
  • Höfn (Southeast)$$
    Vatnajökull glacier, Diamond Beach, JökulsárlónSmall fishing town that's the launching point for the Vatnajökull glacier and Diamond Beach. Famous for langoustine. Limited accommodation — book ahead.See hotels in Iceland for 12–18 Dec 2026

Links open a hotel search for 12–18 Dec 2026; you can change the dates there. We may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.

Before you go

Book the rest of your December trip

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Frequently asked questions

Is December a good time to visit Iceland?
December scores 18/100 on the Atlas Ranger Score — "Tough" — which blends weather with crowds and price. December is off-peak in Iceland — fewer crowds and better prices, in exchange for less reliable weather than the July peak.
How warm is Iceland in December?
Expect daytime highs around 3°C (37°F) and overnight lows near -2°C (28°F), with about 0.4 hours of sun a day.
Does it rain in Iceland in December?
December sees roughly 95mm of rain — moderate rainfall; a packable rain layer helps.
What should I pack for Iceland in December?
For December, pack: Serious winter layers & an insulated coat; Hat, gloves and thermal base layers; A packable rain jacket or compact umbrella.
Is Iceland quiet in December?
Yes — December is off-peak, so expect fewer people and lower prices than the July peak, in exchange for less reliable weather.

Sources: Visit Iceland (Official tourism) · Icelandic Met Office / NOAA: Reykjavik, 1991-2020 · Veðurstofa Íslands (Icelandic Met Office) + road.is · U.S. State Department Iceland Travel Advisory · NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center. Full provenance on the Iceland guide.

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