Aðfangadagur December 24

The first Sunday in December begins Advent. In every house you will find an Advent wreath which is a candle decoration with four candles. Every Sunday in December, a candle is lit. On Advent, children go to Christmas dances, sing Christmas songs and dance around the Christmas tree and meet some of the 13 Santas

On the 23rd, it is traditional to eat fermented skate. Its smell is really strong and many people can't even imagine putting it in their mouth. But still many people enjoy it and embrace this smelly tradition every year.

December 24th is called Adfangadagur in Icelandic and is the main day of Christmas celebration in Iceland. Christmas begins at 6pm on Adfangadagur when the church bells ring out Christmas. That night, families prepare their Christmas dinner and after the meal, they all sit together by the Christmas tree and open presents.

The day after Adfangadagur is Joladagur or Christmas Day and most people eat hangikjöt and laufabrauð. Hangikjot (hanging meat) is a smoked leg of lamb and laufabraud is a thin, fried bread eaten with butter.

On Christmas Day, many families have family reunions with their loved ones. The next day is called the second day of Christmas which is also a public holiday and it is also popular for large family gatherings.

The days of Christmas don't end there, they even continue into the New Year and aren't officially over until January 6, when the last Yule Lad returns home to the mountain. On this day, the last day of Christmas is called the Thirteenth. In every town, you'll find a nighttime bonfire where people gather, perhaps set off leftover New Year's Eve fireworks, and say goodbye to Christmas.