Christmas & New Year’s Travel in Iceland

Winter travel remains popular in Iceland during the holiday season, with many visitors planning trips around ice caves, Northern Lights, and guided winter tours. Arctic Adventures shares key experiences available during Christmas and New Year’s, including select ice cave tours that run daily throughout the holidays.

Arctic Adventures highlights a wide selection of guided winter tours across Iceland during the Christmas and New Year period, with many departures scheduled throughout late December and early January, depending on tour type, location, and seasonal conditions.

“Spending Christmas and New Year’s holidays in Iceland is a chance to celebrate differently,” says Lina Žygelė, Arctic Adventures’ Chief Marketing Officer. “Instead of traditional gifts, many travelers choose shared experiences—exploring ice caves, chasing the Northern Lights, or welcoming the new year outdoors. These moments stay with people long after the holidays end.”

During the holiday season, many visitors in Iceland look beyond traditional celebrations and plan outdoor activities instead. Winter tours that depart from Reykjavík or meet on location offer flexible ways to spend Christmas and New Year’s, whether travelers prefer guided transport or are exploring Iceland by car.

Holiday Offers and Seasonal Perks

To support winter travel during the holiday period, Arctic Adventures and its brands have curated a selection of seasonal perks across guided tours, cultural attractions, and campervan rentals, available for a limited time.

Into the Glacier from Húsafell

From December 21 to 31, children under 12 can join free of charge on the Into the Glacier tour from Húsafell and receive a complimentary seasonal treat. The tour explores the man-made ice tunnel inside Langjökull glacier and operates year-round.

Whales of Iceland Museum Tickets

Whales of Iceland Museum tickets in Reykjavík are available with a 15% discount throughout December and January. The discounted ticket can be used at any time, even after the holiday season.

Happy Campers Winter Campervan Offer

Independent travelers can access an exclusive online-only discount on campervan rentals through Happy Campers. The offer applies to winter travel from December through April, with prices starting from €54 per day, depending on vehicle type and availability.

Natural Ice Caves — Winter Experiences Operating Daily

Many natural ice caves form inside Iceland’s glaciers during winter, when cold temperatures stabilize the ice and allow access (except the year-round Katla Ice Cave). Entry is only permitted with certified guides. Several Arctic Adventures ice cave tours operate daily throughout the winter season, including on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, making them reliable options for travelers visiting Iceland over the holidays.

Arctic Adventures operates the following ice cave tours in South and Southeast Iceland:

Katla Ice Cave Tour by Super Jeep — A guided visit to a naturally formed ice cave beneath Mýrdalsjökull glacier on Iceland’s South Coast. The cave is known for blue ice formations and clearly visible layers of volcanic ash linked to Katla volcano’s past eruptions.

Crystal Ice Cave Tour with Super Jeep Ride — This tour explores a seasonal ice cave beneath an outlet of Vatnajökull glacier in Southeast Iceland. After a Super Jeep transfer, visitors enter ice tunnels shaped by meltwater and winter freezing within Europe’s largest ice cap.

Skaftafell Blue Ice Cave & Glacier Hike — A combined glacier hike and ice cave experience in Skaftafell Nature Reserve. The tour crosses a snow-covered glacier before entering a naturally formed ice cave, offering insight into the glacier’s changing winter landscape.

Further Winter Experiences Available in Iceland

Winter visitors to Iceland commonly plan their trips around seasonal highlights. Alongside ice cave tours, several other winter experiences are available during the holiday period, with schedules varying by date and tour type.

Options include:

• Northern Lights tours by a powerful Super Jeep, comfy 4x4 Sprinter, or boat from Reykjavik Harbor.
• Single-day tours include South Shore adventure, Southern Coast waterfalls & glacier hike, and Golden Circle & snowmobiling expedition.
• Seasonal city experiences such as the Reykjavik Christmas Walk and the New Year's Eve Fireworks Cruise.
• Multi-day journeys, including the South Coast & Northern Lights tour and the Ring Road & Aurora Borealis adventure.

Full details, availability, and holiday departures are listed on adventures.is