Aðfangadagskvöld, the day when the 13th and the lastYule Ladarrives to towns. (Iceland)
An Icelandic Yule tradition on Christmas Eve when the last of the thirteen Yule Lads arrives bearing gifts.
Aðfangadagskvöld, Iceland’s Christmas Eve, features the arrival of the thirteenth and final Yule Lad, Gryla’s mischievous offspring from folklore. Families light candles early evening and place shoes on windowsills, hoping for small treats left by the Yule Lads. Traditional foods like smoked lamb stew (hangikjöt) and laufabrauð (leaf bread) are shared around the dinner table. After the meal, children eagerly check their shoes for candy or fruits. Festive hymns are sung, and stories of Yule Lads’ antics evoke laughter and wonder. The night culminates with a cozy gathering by the Christmas tree, blending ancient folklore with modern family celebrations. This unique blend of myth and tradition makes Iceland’s holiday customs truly enchanting.
Aðfangadagskvöld
Yule Lad
Iceland