Planning a trip to the land of fire and ice, or need to schedule business with Icelandic contacts? Knowing the public holidays in Iceland is crucial, as banks, government offices, and many shops will be closed. This guide provides the complete calendar of Iceland Bank Holidays, including key dates for celebrations like Independence Day, the First Day of Summer in Iceland, and Commerce Day. We’ll also cover opening hours, observances in Iceland like Twelfth Night and Solstice, and what to expect during these national holidays in Iceland.
Table of Contents
TogglePublic Holidays in Iceland: Complete Overview
Iceland recognises 13-14 official public holidays (Icelandic Holidays) each year. These Icelandic holidays mean most businesses are closed. Some days, like Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve in Iceland, are half-day holiday observances. Below are the full lists of Icelandic bank holidays.
Iceland Bank Holidays 2025
Here is the complete list of official iceland bank holidays for 2025.
| Date | Day | Holiday Name |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan | Wednesday | New Year’s Day Iceland |
| 17 Apr | Thursday | Maundy Thursday Iceland |
| 18 Apr | Friday | Good Friday Iceland |
| 21 Apr | Monday | Easter Monday Iceland |
| 24 Apr | Thursday | First Day of Summer in Iceland |
| 1 May | Thursday | Labour Day Iceland |
| 29 May | Thursday | Ascension Day Iceland |
| 8 Jun | Sunday | Whit Sunday Iceland |
| 9 Jun | Monday | Whit Monday Iceland |
| 17 Jun | Tuesday | Independence Day Iceland |
| 4 Aug | Monday | Commerce Day Iceland |
| 24 Dec | Wednesday | Christmas Eve (Half-Day) |
| 25 Dec | Thursday | Christmas Day Iceland |
| 26 Dec | Friday | Boxing Day Iceland (Second Day of Christmas) |
| 31 Dec | Wednesday | New Year’s Eve (Half-Day) |
Iceland Bank Holidays 2026
Mark your calendar with these Iceland bank holidays in 2026.
| Date | Day | Holiday Name |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan | Thursday | New Year’s Day |
| 2 Apr | Thursday | Maundy Thursday |
| 3 Apr | Friday | Good Friday |
| 6 Apr | Monday | Easter Monday |
| 23 Apr | Thursday | First Day of Summer |
| 1 May | Friday | Labour Day |
| 14 May | Thursday | Ascension Day |
| 24 May | Sunday | Whit Sunday |
| 25 May | Monday | Whit Monday |
| 17 Jun | Wednesday | Icelandic Republic Day (Independence Day) |
| 3 Aug | Monday | Commerce Day |
| 24 Dec | Thursday | Christmas Eve (Half-Day) |
| 25 Dec | Friday | Christmas Day |
| 26 Dec | Saturday | Boxing Day |
| 31 Dec | Thursday | New Year’s Eve (Half-Day) |
Read More: Malta Bank Holidays
Iceland Bank Holidays 2027 (Estimated)
These Iceland bank holidays in 2027 are based on official date projections. We will update this page once the information is confirmed.
| Date | Day | Holiday Name |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan | Friday | New Year’s Day |
| 25 Mar | Thursday | Maundy Thursday |
| 26 Mar | Friday | Good Friday |
| 29 Mar | Monday | Easter Monday |
| 22 Apr | Thursday | First Day of Summer |
| 1 May | Saturday | Labour Day |
| 6 May | Thursday | Ascension Day |
| 16 May | Sunday | Whit Sunday |
| 17 May | Monday | Whit Monday |
| 17 Jun | Thursday | Independence Day |
| 2 Aug | Monday | Commerce Day |
| 24 Dec | Friday | Christmas Eve (Half-Day) |
| 25 Dec | Saturday | Christmas Day |
| 26 Dec | Sunday | Boxing Day |
| 31 Dec | Friday | New Year’s Eve (Half-Day) |
Complete Guide to Specific Icelandic Holidays
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First Day of Summer (Sumardagurinn fyrsti): A unique national holiday celebrating the arrival of summer, based on the old Norse calendar.
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Independence Day (17th June): Also called Icelandic Republic Day, this marks Iceland’s independence from Denmark in 1944. It’s a day of parades and festivities.
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Commerce Day (FrÃdagur verslunarmanna): A modern public holiday on the first Monday of August, giving shop and restaurant workers a well-deserved long weekend.
Observances and Other Notable Days in Iceland
Beyond official bank holidays, several observances in Iceland are widely recognised. These aren’t public holidays but are celebrated culturally. They include Twelfth Night (6 Jan), Ash Wednesday, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, Halloween, Iceland, and the seasonal markers of Solstice Iceland and Equinox Iceland. Shops and banks generally remain open on these days.
Also Read: England Bank Holidays
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FAQs
Q1. Are all shops closed on public holidays in Iceland?
Yes, most shops, banks, and public institutions are closed on official national holidays. Some small grocery stores and restaurants in tourist areas may open with reduced opening hours.
Q2. When are the official holiday dates for 2027 confirmed?
The official dates for Iceland bank holidays in 2027 are typically confirmed by the Icelandic government a year in advance. Our 2027 table is an estimate based on the standard calendar and will be updated as soon as the announcement is made.
Q3. Is Good Friday a public holiday in Iceland?
Yes, Good Friday in Iceland is a full public holiday. Banks and most businesses are closed as part of the Easter celebrations that include Maundy Thursday, Easter Monday, and Holy Saturday in Iceland (an observance).
Q4. What is Commerce Day in Iceland?
Commerce Day in Iceland is a national holiday on the first Monday in August. It was established to give retail and service workers a guaranteed day off during the summer and is now a popular day for family outings and festivals.
Whether you’re finalising travel plans or managing international deadlines, this guide to Iceland bank holidays for 2025, 2026, and 2027 has you covered. Remember to check for final official dates as each year approaches, especially for the estimated 2027 calendar. Bookmark this page for the most accurate public holiday information in Iceland.
Need a printable calendar? Explore our full suite of planning tools at Calendar Times UK for more global holiday guides and calendar resources.
Link to Official Source:
For definitive legal confirmation, refer to the Icelandic government’s official announcements (typically in Icelandic).
Wikipedia:
For more historical and cultural context on Icelandic holidays, you can visit the Public Holidays in Iceland page on Wikipedia.
Author
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Hi there! I’m Eva Carter, the founder of Calendar Times UK and a passionate calendar designer with over 8 years of experience in creating functional and beautiful planners. My expertise lies in graphic design, specializing in planner design and printable calendars that blend aesthetics with practicality. I love helping individuals and businesses stay organized in a visually appealing way.
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