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New Year's Fireworks

New Year’s Eve Tour Packages in Iceland

Begin the year with a bang when you choose one of these Iceland New Year’s Eve packages! Expect epic firework displays and gourmet cuisine as you ring in the New Year. A Reykjavík-based travel expert will organise your tour, including accommodation, local transport and exclusive New Year’s Eve activities.

About Your Iceland New Year's Tour

Imagine seeing winter’s darkness lit up with colourful fireworks or the enchanting northern lights. You could experience all of this and more in Iceland. Attend a New Year’s party you’ll never forget in the buzzing capital of Reykjavík and explore the country’s frosted landscapes.

When you book one of these New Year trips to Iceland with Nordic Visitor, you can expect:

• An authentic travel experience operated by a trusted local agency
• A dedicated travel consultant who will arrange your tour
• An exciting range of festive and winter activities to celebrate the New Year
Knowledgeable local guides to accompany you on excursions
Handpicked accommodation for a relaxing stay
24/7 phone support during your trip for peace of mind

Nordic Visitor has made it easy to plan your Iceland trip. Start your journey by following these simple steps:

1. Pick your favourite Nordic Visitor tour
2. Confirm your package
3. Check your confirmation email
4. Book your flights
5. Get ready for your trip

Why Choose Nordic Visitor

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Book With Confidence

Secure your trip your way with Nordic Visitor. Book a tour with as little as 10% deposit. With a 20% deposit or more, you will receive our cancellation insurance free of charge. You can also pay the full price right away to guarantee today’s exchange rate. Terms & conditions apply.

Book With Confidence

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Trusted local travel experts

Nordic Visitor is a leading Icelandic travel agency, established in 2002. Our Reykjavík-based experts are ready to share their passion for this beautiful country with you. With their in-depth knowledge, you’ll experience the best of Iceland and create treasured memories along the way.

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Great reviews

Nordic Visitor is dedicated to the best service quality, and this is reflected year after year when TripAdvisor awards us with their Certificate of Excellence. We also take great pride in our customer feedback: 97% of our travellers say they would recommend us to friends and family.

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You are in good hands

Rest easy knowing that you’ll always be able to reach a travel expert while you’re in Iceland. Should anything crop up, such as an unexpected event or weather issue, call us and we’ll minimise any disruption to your trip. If needed, we'll rebook your accommodation or excursions, while keeping you safe and informed.

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Customisable tour options

Your Iceland travel wish list is unique to you. So while there are special New Year activities included in your package, you can add optional extras if you like. These include guided snowmobile and super jeep tours. You could also extend your stay with additional nights if you don’t want the fun to end.

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Full financial protection

With Nordic Visitor, you have peace of mind knowing your tour arrangements with us are 100% financially protected. Your payments are safeguarded as we comply with European Union laws on Package Travel regulations. This guarantees you a refund in the unlikely event of insolvency.

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Handpicked hotels

You’ll sleep well in an accommodation that we’ve selected for its comfort, cleanliness and friendly atmosphere. Not only that, but you can relax safe in the knowledge that we have tested it out ourselves. And for a festive treat, why not opt to upgrade your room type?

Our Iceland Tour Reviews

Read what our wonderful guests enjoyed most about travelling to Iceland with Nordic Visitor.

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ColinUnited States

We enjoyed everything! The hotel was excellent and very well located as most tours picked up just outside the hotel... read more

We enjoyed everything! The hotel was excellent and very well located as most tours picked up just outside the hotel and many other points of interest were within a 10- to 20-minute walk. The Northern Lights tour was test of patience but we were lucky and saw a great show on the second night. The Golden Circle and glacier snowmobile was a test in endurance but extremely fun and satisfying. And the walking tour was very interesting and a different challenge, as the early morning snow and wind tested our resolve. Our group included a 10-year old, two folks in their 40s, and a 73-year old. All found it to be the trip to fill lifelong goals and memories.

S

SethUnited States

Our tour was great! Went for our honeymoon and it was everything we wanted. First night we got to see the northern... read more

Our tour was great! Went for our honeymoon and it was everything we wanted. First night we got to see the northern lights which were fantastic! Second day, most certainly our longest, visited several sites (Geysire & Þingvellir) and went snowmobiling on a glacier. Such an amazing and unique experience. The walking tour around Reykjavik was surprisingly educational and our guide pointed out things that we ordinarily would have missed. The NYE dinner was delicious and going out to see the firework displays by (what seemed to be like) everyone was something. Practically had to dodge fireworks! Our 4th day was spent at the Blue Lagoon; perfect after a night of partying! Our last day was nice and relaxing, did some final shopping before we headed off to the airport. Hope to go back & visit Iceland again!

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Your Iceland New Year Tour Highlights

Ring in the New Year like never before. Join the local festivities and explore Iceland’s breathtaking wintry landscapes. Spend New Year in Iceland and you could…

  • Attend an exclusive New Year’s Eve party, complete with entertainment and a gourmet dinner
  • Watch the fireworks and celebrate with Icelanders at a traditional bonfire in Reykjavík
  • Marvel at Geysir and Þingvellir National Park as you tour the Golden Circle’s iconic sights
  • Relax and unwind in Iceland’s mineral-rich hot springs, including the world-famous Blue Lagoon
  • Hop on a snowmobile for a thrilling ride across Langjökull, the nation’s second-largest glacier
  • Photograph the cascading waterfalls that Iceland is renowned for, such as Gullfoss and Seljalandsfoss
  • Head into the frosted countryside at night to hunt for spectacular displays of the northern lights
  • Take a road trip along Iceland’s south coast to see icebergs bobbing in Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon
  • Spend Christmas in Iceland too and enjoy cosy celebrations in Vík, a stunning spot close to Reynisfjara

Frequently Asked Questions About
Iceland New Year Breaks

Before booking your New Year celebrations in Iceland, check out this round-up of commonly asked questions that we’ve collected for your convenience. For more in-depth information, you can read this Iceland Travel Guide.

It’s also good to know that when you choose Nordic Visitor, you can Book With Confidence, safe in the knowledge that your payments are protected. Please see our FAQs and booking terms to find out about our booking process, payments and more.

Absolutely! Iceland is a wonderful place to celebrate New Year’s Eve. In fact, Icelanders go all out at this time of year, so head here and you’ll be able to join in with the festivities. Think firework displays, community bonfires and partying late into the night.

But there’s more to Iceland in winter than enjoying the party atmosphere and soaking up the local culture in Reykjavík. Venture beyond the capital city and you'll soon be surrounded by the beauty of Iceland’s elemental landscapes.

Imagine seeing glacier lagoons nestled beneath impressive volcanoes, and waves breaking on black sand beaches. Plus, if you’re lucky, you might glimpse nature’s magical light show – the northern lights.

Icelanders are renowned for their love of New Year’s Eve, and the festive season in general, so you’re in for a treat if you visit at this time of year.

On 31 December the locals celebrate by going to a community bonfire. This is a time for song and dance, as well as reflecting on the past year and spreading well wishes for the future. Visitors are welcome, and you could contribute to the Iceland Search and Rescue fund by buying a pack of sparklers.

Icelanders also get together with friends and family to enjoy food, drinks and dancing. The outdoor festivities pause as many head indoors to watch a comedy show which parodies the year’s events.

Then, as the countdown approaches, they take to the streets again, sparklers in hand to welcome the New Year among friends.

There’s plenty to see and do in Iceland around New Year’s Eve. And if you travel with Nordic Visitor on an Iceland Christmas tour or New Year’s Eve short break, you’ll get to experience the local traditions.

Visit Iceland on one of these carefully curated New Year’s packages and you can:

  • • Attend an elegant New Year’s Eve party and enjoy a 3-course gourmet meal
  • • Go to a neighbourhood bonfire to watch fireworks and toast the New Year
  • • Take a guided tour of the capital’s top sights and taste the local cuisine
  • • Admire Reykjavík’s city centre draped in twinkling Christmas lights
     

Once the Nordic Visitor-hosted celebrations come to an end, you might also like to head downtown to dance the night away. Discover more reasons to spend New Year’s Eve in Iceland on our experts’ blog.

With a Nordic Visitor New Year’s Eve package, you don’t need to worry about making a dinner reservation in Reykjavík on 31 December. This is because your tour includes tickets to an exclusive party hosted by us, where you’ll tuck into a delicious 3-course dinner.

For your other meals, check out your Nordic Visitor travel documents where you’ll find a list of recommended places to eat. And Reykjavík is brimming with different options so you’ll be spoiled for choice.

After the celebrations of the night before, you’ll likely want to spend New Year’s Day at leisure in or around Reykjavík. 1 January is a public holiday in Iceland so some businesses will close. That said, you’ll find that a few museums and restaurants are open anyway.

If you’d like to go beyond the capital, you could head to the Blue Lagoon, only 45 minutes away. A visit here is surely one of the best ways to unwind.

Just picture yourself bathing in the warm water, surrounded by Iceland’s volcanic scenery. If you really want to embrace this opportunity to relax, you could also book a spa treatment. Or why not reserve some time in the Blue Lagoon’s sauna?

On the other hand, you might be craving more adventure. In this case, speak to your dedicated travel consultant about adding a guided excursion to your trip, such as a northern lights tour.

Check out this blog for more ideas on things to do in Iceland this winter.

December and January fall in the middle of Iceland’s winter, meaning the days are short and the nights are long.

On 21 December – the shortest day of the year – there are less than 5 hours of daylight in Reykjavík. In fact, in the Icelandic capital, the sun rises at around 11:20 AM and sets at 3:30 PM.

Happily, the long nights will give you plenty of time to hunt for the northern lights, which can only be seen at night. You could also enjoy bathing in one of Iceland’s geothermal pools while gazing at the stars.

In this guide to daylight in Iceland, you’ll find a table of the sunrise and sunset times in the north and south of the country.

Despite its northerly latitude, Iceland isn’t as cold as you might think. In fact, you’ll find that the average temperature in December and January is just below freezing.

So although you’re likely to encounter snow on a winter trip to Iceland, it might not hang around at lower elevations for more than a few days. On the other hand, join a winter excursion into the countryside and you’ll find plenty of snow and ice in the mountains.

For instance, you could try snowmobiling, tour ice caves, or photograph natural gems such as Gullfoss waterfall surrounded by sparkling white scenery. Discover more ways to enjoy the snow during your trip to Iceland.

December and January are two of the best months to see the aurora in Iceland.

This is because the northern lights are only visible when the sky is dark, meaning the ideal time to see them is at night. With December and January being mid-winter in Iceland, you’ll find that nights are at their longest.

Visit at this time of year and you’ll have more opportunities to see this mesmerising light show. Although it’s worth remembering that the aurora is a natural phenomenon, so sightings can’t be guaranteed.

Choose one of these Iceland northern lights tours and you’ll be able to chase the aurora borealis on excursions led by an expert tour guide. They know all the best spots to look for the northern lights.

For more in-depth information, read this guide to the northern lights.

Iceland is a wonderful road trip destination at any time of the year. But it’s good to know that driving here in December and January may be more challenging than during the summer months. This is because you’re likely to encounter snow and ice, and the weather can be unpredictable.

To make driving in winter conditions a more comfortable experience, we suggest renting a 4x4 vehicle for your trip. And remember, if you need assistance during your trip you can call our 24/7 helpline. For instance, we’ll reroute your itinerary if a road is closed due to bad weather.

For more information and links to helpful local resources for your trip, read this guide to winter driving in Iceland.

Please note, if you haven’t driven on snow and ice before then Nordic Visitor doesn’t recommend a long self-drive tour at this time of year. Instead, you could opt to sit back, relax and let someone else do the driving on an Iceland multi-day trip.

There are just a few start dates available for these special Christmas and New Year’s Eve itineraries. On each tour’s web page you can see the current availability and pick an arrival date on its calendar.

You can begin Nordic Visitor’s New Year’s Eve packages on a few dates leading up to 31 December. Meanwhile, the Christmas and New Year trip is available on a handful of dates just before 25 December.

If you’d like to spend the festive season in Iceland, make sure to secure your place before they’re gone.

Yes, you can personalise your Iceland New Year holiday by extending your stay or adding extra guided day tours.

On these expert-led activities, you could chase the northern lights, ride a snowmobile on a glacier, or tour the countryside in a super jeep. You might also like to treat yourself by upgrading to our superior standard of accommodation in Iceland.

If you have something specific in mind, don’t hesitate to mention it to your Reykjavík-based travel expert. They’ll use their local knowledge to answer your questions and make your festive celebrations in Iceland extra special.

It’s good to check flight availability before booking your trip. But we recommend waiting until you hear from your dedicated travel consultant before purchasing your flights.

They will let you know when your tour arrangements have been made. Once you’ve heard from them, you can go ahead and make your travel plans for getting to and from Iceland.

The weather in Iceland can be changeable, particularly over the winter months. And while Iceland’s maritime climate keeps the temperature hovering around freezing at this time of year, it can be a windy destination. So you’ll want to take plenty of warm clothing as the wind chill can make it feel colder than it is.

For your time sightseeing in Reykjavík, we recommend adding these items to your suitcase:

  • Waterproof jacket
  • Layers for cool weather
  • Shoes or boots with good grip
  • Smart clothing and footwear for dining out
  • Daybag for carrying your valuables
  • Northern Europe plug adapter (“C” or “F”)
     

Here’s a list of suggestions for what to pack if you’ll be exploring the Icelandic countryside in winter:

  • Waterproof jacket and trousers
  • Warm, insulated jacket
  • Lightweight baselayers
  • Comfortable walking boots
  • Wool socks
  • Cosy hat, scarf and gloves
  • Small rucksack for your daily essentials
  • Reusable water bottle
     

To capture those special moments as you discover the Land of Fire and Ice, you might also want to bring:

  • Camera
  • Waterproof camera bag
  • Charging cable and spare batteries
  • Travel tripod
     

Plus, don’t forget your swimwear if you’d like to take a dip in Iceland’s hot springs and geothermal pools. For more information, you can read this handy packing guide for Iceland.

For your Icelandic New Year’s Eve celebrations, we recommend packing a smart outfit and shoes to wear to the party. But you should also bring an insulated coat and a warm pair of winter boots to the venue. These will keep you cosy while you watch the fireworks at the community bonfire.

If you plan to continue the party after the countdown to the New Year, then feel free to have fun with your outfit. In fact, the more sparkles the better – you’ll fit right into the city’s renowned nightlife.

For more packing advice, read this blog for seasonal tips on what to wear in Iceland.

Contact us

Get in touch with us and a Reykjavík-based travel expert will be on hand to answer your questions and make all of the local arrangements for your trip. They’ll also be happy to customise your winter getaway with extra activities and more.

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+354 578 20 80

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