Marking the finish of Christmas celebrations
In Iceland, the Christmas season comes to a close with the celebration of Thirteenth Night (Þrettándinn) on January 6th. While this day is significant as the end of the festive season, it's not traditionally associated with bonfires or the direct participation of the Yule Lads.
However, this year, a series of bonfires and Yule Lads-themed events took place across the country, with a particularly lively celebration in the western part of Reykjavik.
The festivities kicked off at Melaskóli elementary school at 18 PM, where a large group, including a number of tourists, gathered. The group, led by Sveinn Bjarki, a teacher, marched with torches down to Ægissíða, accompanied by the local police.
At Ægissíða, a large bonfire was ablaze. The parents' association of the local elementary schools had organised the event, and the local sports club, KR, provided a fireworks display to add to the spectacle.
Sveinn, leading a mass singing group, led the crowd in songs as they celebrated the last day of Christmas. Many attendees enjoyed the crisp, cold, yet calm weather while munching on baked waffles.
Interestingly, the Icelandic Yule lads made an appearance at Ægissíða, where they met with the group and the torches were thrown at the stake.
Simultaneously, bonfires were also lit in Akranes, Mosfellsbær, and Djúpivogur, adding to the nationwide celebrations. In Gufunes, Friðrik Dór Jónsson performed at another bonfire event, further enriching the festive atmosphere.
Thirteenth Night, officially known as Þrettándinn in Icelandic, is commonly referred to as the Twelfth Night in the English-speaking world. Despite not being directly associated with Thirteenth Night, the bonfire tradition in Reykjavik has become a cherished part of the city's Christmas celebrations.
[1] Note: The Yule Lad's Bath event is not directly related to the Thirteenth Night celebrations but is a separate event that takes place around the same time.
Families and tourists gathered at Melaskóli elementary school to partake in outdoor-living activities, celebrating the Twelfth Night, also known as Thirteenth Night (Þrettándinn), with a bonfire and fireworks display, under the crisp, cold, yet calm weather. Home-and-garden associations organized these celebrations, creating a lively lifestyle event that has become a cherished part of Reykjavik's Christmas festivities.
