New Year

New Year’s Eve is probably the biggest party night of the whole year. It all starts out with everyone getting to together with their friends or family for a festive meal, usual delicates include Grilled Icelandic Lamb, Turkey or Smoked saddle of pork. After dinner many people go to arranged bonfires to meet their neighbors, to sing songs and shoot up some of their more humble seized fireworks.  At about 10.00 PM the whole nation gathers in front of their televisions to watch a comedy version of the year in review.  This show is shown every year on State Television and the leading thespians of the country produce a satire that spoofs politicians, celebrities and major events of the year that is passing.  Those unfamiliar with this tradition may be very surprised to see the whole city fall quiet, not a single firework, car or person walking the streets can be seen.

The most distinguishing characteristic of an Icelandic New Year’s Eve are the fireworks. Everyone buys fireworks, sold in support of the countries volunteer rescue groups.  On this night everyone is allowed to light fireworks, usually this requires a special permission from the authorities, Icelanders make sure they take full advantage of this exemption. Fireworks are lighted all night long, reaching the high point at midnight, when the sky lights up for a few minutes as the fire trucks and harbored ships ring their bells and blow their horns to welcome the New Year. It is certainly the grandest display of fireworks you will ever see. After midnight, people gather either downtown to go clubbing or partying at home often until the early hours of the morning.

Understandably, there is usually not much activity in Iceland on New Year’s Day, except perhaps for the younger children who run out to gather the sticks from the fireworks and there is often fierce competition over who find the most.  In the evening on New Years day people either sit at home and relax or go to black tie dinners which some clubs, companies and association have to celebrate the New Year in a formal way.