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Holidays in Iceland 2023

There are 14 public holidays in Iceland in 2023, four of which fall on weekends.

New Year's Day
New Year Holiday, celebrated on January 1, 2023, is the first day of the year on the modern Gregorian calendar, and it is one of the most popular holidays in the world. The holiday lasts two days including New Year's Eve.

Maundy Thursday
Maundy Thursday is the Thursday before Easter, and it is an important Christian holiday that commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the Apostles and the Washing of the Feet. It falls on April 6, 2023.

Good Friday
Good Friday is a Christian holiday celebrating the crucifixion of Jesus and his death at Calvary. It is observed on Friday immediately preceding Easter Sunday, April 7, 2023.

Easter Sunday
Easter Sunday is an important Christian festival celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Easter Sunday is a public holiday in many countries. In 2023, it falls on April 9.

Easter Monday
Easter Monday is to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, and it is the Monday after Easter Sunday. It is observed on April 10, 2023.

First Day of Summer
The holiday, observed on April 20, 2023, celebrates the start of the first summer month of the old Icelandic calendar, which has 12 months: 6 months of short days and 6 months of nightless days.

Labour Day
Labour Day is observed on May 1, 2023, and it celebrates the achievements of workers. The holiday originates in the eight-hour day movement, which is eight hours for work, eight hours for recreation, and eight hours for rest.

Ascension Day
Also known as the Feast of the Ascension of Jesus Christ, Ascension Day commemorates the Christian belief in the bodily Ascension of Jesus into heaven. It falls on May 18, 2023.

Whit Sunday
Whit Sunday, also known as Pentecost, is an important Christian festival commemorating the descent of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. It is celebrated on the seventh Sunday or 49 days after Easter Sunday. It falls on May 28, 2023.

Whit Monday
Whit Monday, also known as Pentecost Monday, is an important religious festival Christians celebrate. It falls on the day after Pentecost, the 50th day after Easter Sunday. In 2023, the holiday falls on May 29.

Icelandic National Day
Icelandic National Day is a public holiday in Iceland, and it is observed on June 17, 2023. The holiday commemorates the foundation of the Republic of Iceland in 1944.

Commerce Day
Commerce Day, observed on August 7, 2023, is also called the "Holiday of the Merchants", and it is a day off for shopkeepers and traders. The celebration of Commerce Day started in Reykjavik in 1894 with the influence of Denmark. However, the current celebration date was set in 1931.

Christmas Day
Christmas Day is celebrated on December 25, 2023, and commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Christmas Day is a holiday of sharing. People exchange Christmas gifts and cards with families and friends. The holiday lasts three days.

The following is the list of public holidays in Iceland 2023.

HolidayDateWeekdayNote
New Year's DayJan 01, 2023SundayPublic Holiday
Maundy ThursdayApr 06, 2023ThursdayPublic Holiday
Good FridayApr 07, 2023FridayPublic Holiday
Easter SundayApr 09, 2023SundayPublic Holiday
Easter MondayApr 10, 2023MondayPublic Holiday
First Day of SummerApr 20, 2023ThursdayPublic Holiday
Labour DayMay 01, 2023MondayPublic Holiday
Ascension DayMay 18, 2023ThursdayPublic Holiday
Whit SundayMay 28, 2023SundayPublic Holiday
Whit MondayMay 29, 2023MondayPublic Holiday
Icelandic National DayJun 17, 2023SaturdayPublic Holiday
Commerce DayAug 07, 2023MondayPublic Holiday
Christmas EveDec 24, 2023SundayAfternoon
Christmas DayDec 25, 2023MondayPublic Holiday
Second Day of ChristmasDec 26, 2023TuesdayPublic Holiday
New Year's EveDec 31, 2023SundayAfternoon

Please also check the working days in Iceland in 2023.

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