New Year’s Eve in Reykjavík 2027: Bonfires and the Cold Walk Home

New Year’s Eve in Reykjavík combines community bonfires with fireworks set off all over the neighborhoods. For 2027, Perlan (85,900 ISK) and Grillmarkaðurinn (21,900 ISK) have already announced paid options; for the 2025/26 turnover, the city lit 10 bonfires at 8:30 pm, and the new list usually comes out in the last days of December. Pick a hotel with a short trip back and protection against wind and ice: Strætó buses stop running around 3 pm on the 31st.

This guide covers the turnover from December 31, 2026 to January 1, 2027. The magic is in joining the locals, but the trip demands very practical decisions: which program fits your budget, how long you can handle being outdoors, and how you get to your room when everyone decides to head home.

Compare hotels for the turnover with dates from 12/30/2026 to 01/02/2027, always checking the address alongside the evening’s program.

New Year’s Eve in Reykjavík: community bonfires

The brennur, community bonfires spread across the neighborhoods, are a New Year’s tradition. Visit Reykjavík describes this local celebration and the gatherings of residents; 2025/26 edition For the 2025/26 turnover, the city published the list on 12/29/2025: 10 bonfires, almost all lit at 8:30 pm (Skerjafjörður at 9 pm). The two big ones were at Geirsnef (north side) and Gufunes, next to Gufunesbær; the smaller ones at Ægisíða, Skerjafjörður, Suðurhlíðar (below the Fossvogur cemetery), Laugardalur, Stekkjarbakki, Rauðavatn, Kléberg (Kjalarnes) and Úlfarsfell. The 2026/27 list should come out at the same time, in the last days of December; we update here when published.

The image above represents the city’s atmosphere at the turnover; it does not prove an announced show at that spot. To choose a bonfire, use the year’s list and check the address on the map: Ægisíða, on the western shore, is the closest to downtown on the 2025/26 list. An area marked as nearby may require a long walk over slippery sidewalks. Don’t book a distant hotel just because it appeared near a bonfire on a previous schedule.

The city’s December 2025 announcement lays out the rules that usually repeat: the forecast is checked before noon on 12/31, and the bonfire is not lit with wind above 10 m/s. Firecrackers and flares are prohibited near the bonfires (sparklers and spark-free torches are allowed), car access is restricted, and the recommendation is to go on foot. The city also warns that air quality may worsen in the first hours of the year because of the fireworks; children and people with respiratory problems should stay indoors around midnight.

The community celebration is not the same as a private party with a table, bathroom, coat check or guaranteed shelter. Plan a short stay, have a covered alternative, and agree on a meeting point in case the group splits up. The experience may work better as two outings: one to the chosen bonfire and another near your accommodation before midnight.

Where to see the fireworks and what to expect

Reykjavík’s New Year’s Eve is known for the fireworks set off by residents in different parts of the city. Don’t treat this spread as a single municipal show with a stage, duration and guaranteed viewing point. According to Visit Reykjavík, there is no official display: between about 10:30 pm and 11:35 pm the streets empty out because the whole country watches Áramótaskaup, the public broadcaster RÚV’s comedy special, and residents’ fireworks explode all over the city from around 11:30 pm, when the program ends.

The Hallgrímskirkja area and the open spaces near downtown can go into your walking plan, but visibility and crowd density depend on the exact spot and the weather. Pick a position that doesn’t block passages, keep your distance from people setting off fireworks, and don’t cross a launch area to get a photo. A clear sky doesn’t mean there’s no wind either.

A cruise might seem like a good alternative to see the city from the sea, and there’s a concrete reference: for the 2025/26 turnover, the Special Tours New Year’s Fireworks Cruise left the Old Harbor at 11 pm, lasting 1h30, at 23,490 ISK per adult (18,792 ISK for ages 7 to 15; free up to 6). The 2026/27 departure isn’t on sale yet; the page is usually updated in the last quarter. Before buying any departure, check the year, boarding point, bad-weather policy and how to get back from the harbor.

Paid parties and dinners for 2027

The two options below serve different decisions: staying at a celebration through the turnover or having dinner before heading out to the street. They are not tickets to the same experience. Prices are in Icelandic króna (ISK); compare the final card cost before paying, and don’t confuse these amounts with hotel prices in reais.

Perlan announces four dinner seatings with wine pairing and museum access on a day between December 26 and 31, 2026. The view doesn’t guarantee a window table or favorable weather. Its location means planning the trip back separately. Grillmarkaðurinn lets you leave before midnight; choosing an early or late table changes the interval you’ll spend on the street.

Before booking, ask about minimum age, children, accessibility, dietary restrictions and transport: the official pages don’t detail these conditions. Check what the rate includes beyond the menu; we don’t assume an open bar. At the restaurant, the 11:30 pm closing makes it clear that dinner doesn’t cross the turnover.

How to get back after midnight

Don’t count on buses for the trip back at the turnover. The rule published by Strætó calls for Saturday service on December 31, ending at approximately 3 pm, and Sunday service on January 1. For the 2025/26 turnover, the last departures on the 31st were between 2:30 pm and 3:20 pm (line 3 leaving Grandi at 3:20 pm; line 1 from Skúlagata at 3:14 pm), and lines 8, 16 and 31 didn’t run at all. The 2026/27 notice usually comes out in mid-December. Build a plan that works without public transport at night.

If you choose downtown, map out the full route between hotel, dinner and viewing spot. Use walking distance, not just straight-line distance. A short trip back keeps you from standing around looking for a car in the cold. Still, confirm lighting, ramps and sidewalk conditions; a comfortable route in another month can be tough with ice.

For Perlan or a distant bonfire, look for a taxi booking or transfer in advance. Give the event, intended time, number of passengers and drop-off address; ask about the meeting point, wait tolerance, charges and cancellation. Get the estimated price in writing at booking. Leave margin for a slow exit and keep the confirmation on your phone.

Also agree on a plan B: accommodation contact, charged battery, saved address and cash or a payment method accepted by the service you chose. If you can’t confirm the trip back, prefer a program you can reach on foot. Don’t buy an experience far from the hotel counting on cars being available on the spot.

Cold, clothing and getting around on foot

Visit Reykjavík’s winter guidance highlights the few hours of daylight in December. For planning, cold, wind and slippery ground matter more than an isolated average temperature. The forecast for December 31, 2026 isn’t available yet: check weather alerts and adjust your time outdoors in the days before.

SafeTravel recommends layered clothing: a wool or synthetic thermal base, a warming layer and outer protection against water and wind. Add a hat, gloves and warm waterproof boots with soles suited to the ground. A heavy coat over thin clothing won’t solve wet hands, frozen feet and wind in your face on its own.

Test your clothing before spending hours outside. Bring an extra dry layer and organize your phone so you can use it without keeping your hands exposed. Earplugs help those sensitive to firework noise. If the group starts feeling too cold, shorten the schedule; don’t turn the wait for midnight into an obligation.

Renting a car doesn’t eliminate this difficulty and can add another. The Icelandic road authority warns about winter driving, with ice, low light and possible closures. For those planning to stay only in the capital during the holiday, walking from a well-chosen base and booking occasional rides can be a simpler decision. A road trip around the island requires a different assessment and suitable experience.

Airport, flights and insurance

Keflavík (KEF) is the international airport used in this plan. The Flybus connects the airport to the BSÍ terminal in about 45 minutes on the main leg; distribution to points near hotels can add time. Check where you’ll be dropped off: a hotel transfer doesn’t necessarily mean stopping at the door, especially in areas with bus restrictions.

The Civitatis offer showed R$ 232.71 per person each way for the airport transfer to Reykjavík and for the return to Keflavík, checked on 10/08/2026. Check the calendar, the type of service and the boarding point before paying. This transport doesn’t take you from the party to the hotel in the early hours.

Avoid scheduling your international arrival right before the New Year’s Eve dinner. Flight delays, baggage and winter eat up the margin that seemed sufficient on paper. Compare flights to Keflavík with your accommodation dates and check connections and ticket conditions.

When choosing travel insurance for Iceland, read the medical coverage, assistance, cancellation and the conditions for winter activities you plan to do. Compare limits and exclusions instead of just picking the lowest price. Keep assistance contacts and your policy accessible while on the move.

Where to stay: hotels and neighborhoods

Choose the hotel together with the evening’s program. Downtown and the Old Harbor make it easy to combine restaurant and walking, but they’re not interchangeable with a base near any bonfire. In the east, accommodation may cost less; the savings need to survive the trip back. For Perlan, factor in the ride even if the hotel seems central.

This selection was checked on Booking on 10/08/2026, for two people, one room and three nights, from 12/30/2026 to 01/02/2027. The totals below include taxes shown separately where necessary. They are not nightly rates. Ratings and reviews change; compare the cancellation and breakfast conditions of the rate you choose, not just the hotel name.

Marina and Grandi serve as bases in the harbor area; Plaza and Thingholt help those who prioritize downtown. Alda sits on the Laugavegur axis. Nordurey, ODDSSON Midtown and Grand require a closer look at the connection to your turnover spot. These are location and rate comparisons, not personal stay reviews.

What it costs: three scenarios for a couple

To compare bases without inventing a fixed budget, these are accommodation and airport transfer subtotals, checked on 10/08/2026. They consider the three-night room and four tickets at R$ 232.71: round trip for two people. The bonfires and street fireworks are free.

These amounts do not include airfare, food, local taxi, insurance or tours. In the cheapest scenario especially, get a quote for the trip back before deciding. To swap the street for the Grillmarkaðurinn dinner, add 43,800 ISK for the couple; for Perlan, 171,800 ISK. Keep the original currency until you know the conversion and the purchase charges.

The downtown room isn’t automatically the most economical option, but it can reduce travel and waiting in the cold. Compare the total you can verify, add the expenses still missing and only then decide. It’s not worth turning a lower hotel rate into certainty of a lower cost for the whole trip.

What to do on January 1

The official municipal pools schedule already specifies January 1, 2027: 1 pm to 5 pm. It includes Sundhöll, Vesturbæjarlaug and Laugardalslaug, among others. For 12/31/2026, it indicates 8 am to 1 pm. Choose a pool with a simple trip, check rates and entry rules, and confirm again before heading out.

Hallgrímskirkja published its 2026 Christmas and New Year hours: on the 31st, the church and tower open from 10 am to noon, with a concert at 4 pm and a service at 6 pm. On 01/01/2027, the church and tower are closed to tourist visits; there’s a service at 2 pm. So don’t plan to climb the tower on the first day of the year or use the interior as shelter in the early hours.

A comfortable itinerary starts with breakfast, a short walk depending on the weather and a pool in the afternoon. Confirm the January 1 meal with your hotel or restaurant: regular hours don’t prove it’s open on the holiday. If you have a booked tour, agree on pickup and return without relying on a tight bus connection.

To extend the trip, the three-day Reykjavík itinerary helps spread out the visits. The tours below are alternatives for other days or for January 1 only if there’s a departure on the calendar. The aurora depends on natural conditions and is never guaranteed by a ticket.

Partner · Civitatissee all tours in Reykjavík ›

NatureCheck the date

Golden Circle Route

A roughly six-hour tour through Þingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss. English-speaking guide; check the pickup point near your hotel. Meals not included.

fromR$ 465.47per person

See availability ›

• Northern lights tour

  At nightWeather-dependent

  Check the policy when conditions don’t allow the departure. There’s no guarantee of a sighting.
  fromR$ 443.57per person
  See ›

Prices from, checked on 10/08/2026, per person. They don’t prove availability on the holiday; select the date before booking.

Kids and accessibility

With kids, prioritize a nearby bonfire once the schedule comes out, limited time outdoors and an alternative to head back before midnight. Fireworks can be scary; explain the noise, use proper hearing protection and stay away from launches. Bring dry clothing and snacks according to your family’s needs, without counting on finding shops open at the spot you choose.

Perlan and Grillmarkaðurinn don’t state a minimum age on their official pages. Ask the organizer directly before buying for minors, including about kids’ menus and seating. The same goes for older adults and people with reduced mobility: a central neighborhood name doesn’t guarantee a route without steps, ice or incline.

Confirm accessible entry, bathroom, elevator and the possibility of boarding near the door. On the airport transfer advertised by Civitatis, the stated condition is for folding chairs; that’s not the same as a vehicle adapted for staying seated in the chair. The Golden Circle tour also shouldn’t be treated as universally accessible: vehicles and terrain need to be assessed for each traveler.

What to sort out before booking

The main trap is mixing a permanent page with an edition-specific announcement. Another is calling every dinner a “New Year’s Eve party”: if the restaurant closes before midnight, you still need to decide where to spend the turnover. Organize the trip in this order, keeping confirmations with date, local time and purchase conditions.

If you’re looking for another kind of New Year’s Eve in Europe, compare New Year’s Eve in Edinburgh and New Year’s Eve in London. In Scandinavia, New Year’s Eve in Copenhagen also has fireworks set off by residents, with Tivoli and City Hall Square on the same night. The New Year’s Eve destinations guide gathers alternatives to decide on the trip, without assuming every city works the same way.

Frequently asked questions

Are Reykjavík’s bonfires already confirmed for New Year’s Eve 2027?

The 2026/27 list isn’t out yet; the city usually publishes it in the last days of December (in 2025, it came out on the 29th). For the 2025/26 turnover there were 10 bonfires, most lit at 8:30 pm, with the biggest at Geirsnef and Gufunes. With wind above 10 m/s, the bonfire isn’t lit.

Are there buses to get back to the hotel after midnight?

Don’t count on that option. On the 31st, Strætó runs on Saturday hours and ends around 3 pm; for the 2025/26 turnover, the last departure was at 3:20 pm. On January 1, Sunday hours apply. Plan a feasible walk or a pre-booked taxi.

Which paid option crosses midnight?

Perlan announces reception, dinner and a midnight toast to welcome 2027, at 85,900 ISK per person. Grillmarkaðurinn announces dinner at 21,900 ISK per person, but closes at 11:30 pm. Confirm conditions and availability on the official booking.

What’s open in Reykjavík on January 1, 2027?

The municipal schedule indicates pools from 1 pm to 5 pm on January 1, 2027. Hallgrímskirkja is closed to church and tower visits, with a service at 2 pm. Reconfirm the schedule and restaurant hours before heading out.

How to choose your turnover

Reykjavík makes sense for anyone who wants a winter turnover with locals joining in and is willing to adjust the plan to the weather. The most useful decision is to start with the trip back: a nearby base lets you enjoy the street without depending on transport at the most contested hour. Those who prefer dinner and shelter can choose a paid option, noting whether it ends before or after midnight. Book what’s already confirmed and choose the bonfire when the municipal list comes out, at the end of December.