Public Holidays in Iceland
Statutory public holidays in Iceland, with the dates that give people the day off, how the calendar is set, and what it means for travel, cities and culture.
Iceland at a glance
Iceland’s public holidays mix Lutheran feast days with national dates, including National Day on 17 June and the First Day of Summer in late April.
Several dates move with Easter, and the midsummer and midwinter festivals of solstice and light are widely celebrated.
Iceland public holidays 2026
Iceland has 14 public holidays in 2026 – the statutory days off. The table below lists those public holidays; observances and other non-statutory dates are not part of the total.
| Holiday | Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Jan 1Thu | National |
| Maundy Thursday | Apr 2Thu | National |
| Good Friday | Apr 3Fri | National |
| Easter Sunday | Apr 5Sun | National |
| Easter Monday | Apr 6Mon | National |
| First Day of Summer | Apr 23Thu | National |
| Labor Day | May 1Fri | National |
| Ascension Day | May 14Thu | National |
| Pentecost | May 24Sun | National |
| Pentecost Monday | May 25Mon | National |
| National Day | Jun 17Wed | National |
| Commerce Day | Aug 3Mon | National |
Showing 12 of 14 public holidays for 2026.
Major cities in Iceland
The urban centres that anchor most trips to Iceland.
Reykjavik
The world's northernmost capital, a city of corrugated-iron houses and a harbour.
Akureyri
A fjord town in the north with botanical gardens and ski slopes nearby.
Kopavogur
A residential town adjoining the capital, with a church on a hill.
Hafnarfjordur
A lava-field town of harbours, elves and a Viking festival.
Vik
A small coastal village beside black sand beaches and basalt stacks.
Top attractions in Iceland
The places that draw most visitors to Iceland.
Golden Circle
Thingvellir's rift valley, Geysir's spouting springs and Gullfoss waterfall.
Blue Lagoon
A milky-blue geothermal lagoon set in a lava field near the airport.
Jokulsarlon
Icebergs drifting from a glacier tongue out to a black-sand lagoon and beach.
Thingvellir National Park
The rift valley where the world's oldest parliament was founded.
Vatnajokull
Europe's largest ice cap, with ice caves and outlet glaciers.
Northern Lights
Aurora displays across dark winter skies from September to April.
Festivals, food and getting around Iceland
What the calendar looks like on the ground, and how to move through the country around it.
Festivals behind the holidays
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New Year's Day
Falls on Jan 1
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Twelfth Night
Falls on Jan 6
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Valentine's Day
Falls on Feb 14
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Ash Wednesday
Falls on Feb 18
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🎉
March Equinox
Falls on Mar 20
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Maundy Thursday
Falls on Apr 2
Food & drink
Getting around
The ring road circles the island, but winter conditions are serious; a 4×4 is recommended outside summer.
Travelling around Iceland’s holidays
What the dates mean once you are there.
Book around the peaks
Transport and hotels in Iceland tighten around major holidays; reserve early for the busiest weeks.
Check opening hours
Museums, banks and government offices usually close on statutory holidays, and often on the nearest Monday.
Carry local currency
Small vendors and rural businesses frequently take cash only, especially on holidays when banks are shut.
Expect crowded transport
Long weekends produce the year's heaviest road, rail and air traffic. Build in extra travel time.
Confirm the official list
Iceland's holiday dates are confirmed by government announcement; check the year page for the final arrangement.
Plan the long weekends
Pairing a holiday with adjacent weekends gives the longest breaks of the year — and the busiest.
Iceland public holidays: common questions
How many public holidays does Iceland have?
Iceland has 14 public holidays in 2026, counting every date typed National, Substitute or Bank in our calendar. Observances, religious dates and regional holidays are listed separately and left out of the total, because they are not days off across the whole country.
Where can I find the full 2026 list?
The complete 2026 calendar for Iceland is on the year page, with every recorded date in order.
Are Iceland's public holidays paid?
Statutory national holidays are generally paid leave for employees. Observances and commemorative days are usually not.
Do holidays move if they fall on a weekend?
Where a holiday falls on a weekend, Iceland typically observes it on the nearest weekday. Check the year page for the confirmed arrangement.
Are there regional holidays in Iceland?
Some holidays are observed only in certain regions or by certain communities. The year page lists what applies nationally.
Which years are covered for Iceland?
Calendars are published for 2026, 2025.
School holidays in Iceland
School term dates in Iceland
School calendar data last updated 10 Sep 2026. Dates come from education ministries and local education authorities; always re-check with the school before booking travel.