Jólahúsið – The Christmas House
Jólahúsið is a year-round Christmas shop and exhibition in Akureyri, the capital of North Iceland. Housed in a traditional red building, it sells Icelandic Christmas decorations and tells the story of Iceland's 13 Yule Lads — the country's mischievous alternative to Santa Claus.
Christmas Every Day of the Year
In Akureyri, at latitude 65° north, there is a house where it is always December 25th. Jólahúsið — the Christmas House — is a traditional red timber building on Kidagata street in the town centre, filled floor to ceiling with Christmas decorations, Icelandic Yule Lad figurines, ornaments, candles, and festive goods. Whether you visit in the midnight sun of June or the dark of January, the twinkling lights are on and the shelves are stocked.
The shop has been a fixture of Akureyri for decades, drawing visitors who are charmed by the novelty of a Christmas shop in the Arctic summer and by the distinctly Icelandic character of its merchandise.
The Yule Lads
The real star of the Christmas House is the exhibition on Iceland's Yule Lads, or Jólasveinar. These 13 characters are nothing like Santa Claus. They are the sons of the fearsome troll Gryla and her lazy husband Leppaludi, and each one descends from the mountains in the 13 nights before Christmas to cause specific mischief.
Their names tell you what they do: Stekkjastaur (Sheep-Cote Clod) harasses sheep. Giljagaur (Gully Gawk) hides in ditches waiting to steal milk. Þvörusleikir (Spoon Licker) steals wooden spoons to lick clean. Hurðaskellir (Door Slammer) waits until everyone is asleep and then slams doors. Skyrgámur (Skyr Gobbler) devours the family's skyr. And so on, through all 13 brothers, each arriving one night apart and leaving one night after Christmas.
The exhibition tells their stories with figurines, illustrations, and descriptions. Children tend to find them hilarious. Adults find them a fascinating window into Iceland's pre-Christian folklore traditions.
The Shop
The commercial side of the Christmas House is a well-curated shop selling handmade Icelandic Christmas ornaments, traditional decorations, advent candles, Yule Lad figurines in various sizes, and Christmas-themed books. The prices are in line with Icelandic gift shops — not cheap, but the quality is generally high and many items are made locally.
It is a good place to pick up genuinely Icelandic souvenirs that are more distinctive than the typical tourist shop offerings.
Getting There
The Christmas House is on Kidagata 4 in central Akureyri, within easy walking distance of the main shopping street and harbour. If you are visiting Akureyri — which most visitors to North Iceland do — it is a simple addition to a town walk. Akureyri is 390 km from Reykjavik on Route 1, or a 45-minute domestic flight.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who are the 13 Yule Lads?
- The Yule Lads (Jólasveinar) are figures from Icelandic folklore — 13 mischievous brothers who visit children one by one in the 13 nights before Christmas. Each has a distinct personality based on the prank he plays, like Spoon Licker, Door Slammer, and Sausage Swiper. They leave gifts in shoes left on windowsills for good children and rotting potatoes for naughty ones.
- Is there an entry fee?
- No, entry to the shop and exhibition is free. It is a commercial shop that sells Christmas decorations, Yule Lad figurines, ornaments, and other Icelandic gifts.
- Is it really open all year?
- Yes, the Christmas House is open year-round, including summer. It is a popular stop for visitors to Akureyri regardless of the season. Opening hours may be reduced outside the peak tourist season — check before visiting.
- Is it worth visiting in summer?
- If you enjoy Christmas culture and quirky local traditions, absolutely. The Yule Lad exhibition is fun and informative, and the decorations are uniquely Icelandic. It takes about 30 minutes and makes a pleasant addition to an Akureyri town walk.
- What else is there to do in Akureyri?
- Akureyri offers the Botanical Garden (the northernmost in the world), excellent restaurants, the Akureyri Art Museum, and serves as a base for exploring Myvatn, whale watching in Husavik, and the Diamond Circle route.
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