What the weather is like in December
December has the year's shortest days (4 hours of daylight at solstice, 0.7 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.
Averages are five-year Open-Meteo (ERA5) figures for Reykjavík; other parts of Iceland vary. Full sources below.
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 is July; the toughest is November. See the full month-by-month breakdown for Iceland.
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)$$$Base for Golden Circle + day trips, restaurants, bars
The natural starting and ending point. Walking distance to Hallgrímskirkja, Harpa, the harbor, and most restaurants. Most aurora day-trips depart from Reykjavík hotels.
See Reykjavík (city center) hotels for 12–18 Dec 2026 - South Coast (Vík / Hella / Hvolsvöllur)$$Ring Road segment, Seljalandsfoss/Skógafoss base
Mid-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 South Coast (Vík / Hella / Hvolsvöllur) hotels for 12–18 Dec 2026 - Akureyri (North Iceland)$$Mývatn aurora, north Ring Road, less-visited Iceland
"Capital of the north" — second-largest town in Iceland, excellent base for Mývatn (Iceland's aurora hot spot, less light pollution than the south) and the Diamond Circle.
See Akureyri (North Iceland) hotels for 12–18 Dec 2026 - Höfn (Southeast)$$Vatnajökull glacier, Diamond Beach, Jökulsárlón
Small fishing town that's the launching point for the Vatnajökull glacier and Diamond Beach. Famous for langoustine. Limited accommodation — book ahead.
See Höfn (Southeast) hotels 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.
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 2°C (36°F) and overnight lows near -3°C (27°F), with about 0.7 hours of sun a day.
Does it rain in Iceland in December?
December sees roughly 129mm 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.
Sources
Every claim on this page is backed by an authoritative source. Atlas Ranger synthesizes data from multiple references so you can see exactly where each fact came from.
- Visit Iceland (Official tourism)Used for: Official Iceland tourism guidance, festival timing, regional information
- Open-Meteo Historical Climate Data (ERA5)Used for: Monthly temperature, rainfall, sunshine averages (2020–2024)
- Veðurstofa Íslands (Icelandic Met Office) + road.isUsed for: Live weather warnings, aurora forecasts, road conditions — essential trip planning
- U.S. State Department Iceland Travel AdvisoryUsed for: Independent safety assessment + entry requirement reference
- NOAA Space Weather Prediction CenterUsed for: Live aurora forecast (powers Atlas Ranger's aurora map)
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