— THE ICELANDIC — CHRISTMAS CALENDAR December 23rd
ÞORLÁKSMESSA (ST. THORLAKUR’S DAY) Þorláksmessa is the feast day of Iceland’s patron saint, the 12th century bishop of Skálholt, St. Thorlakur Thorhallsson, who died on December 23rd in 1193. It’s the last day before Christmas is celebrated, so for most people this is the height of Christmas preparation and all the stress that comes with it. The Christmas tree is usually decorated on this day and it’s also a big shopping day for last minute gifts, with stores remaining open until midnight. Another Þorláksmessa custom is eating fermented skate. Many restaurants offer skate lunches on Þorláksmessa. At the skate lunch two kinds of skate are usually on the menu, one kind is only slightly fermented, the other very fermented, and both are served in chunks with boiled potatoes.
December 24th
AÐFANGADAGSKVÖLD (CHRISTMAS EVE) In Iceland, Christmas Eve is the most important night of celebration. Christmas officially begins at 6 pm sharp when all the church bells throughout Iceland ‘ring in’ the Jól. By that time most of the nation is washed and dressed in their best clothes (ideally new ones, to escape the Yule Cat) and people affectionately wish each other a Merry Christmas before sitting down to Christmas dinner. The rest attends mass that starts at precisely six o’clock which is then followed by dinner. This is a very intimate and festive evening that Icelanders normally spend only with their nearest and dearest. After dinner people relocate to the Christmas tree to open presents.
12 | Reykjavik Christmas Guide | www.christmasiniceland.is