Iceland’s New Year’s Eve bonfires are called Áramótabrennur. The Icelandic word combines the idea of a year-turning celebration with brennur, or bonfires, and refers to fires traditionally lit around the country.
Communities gather around these outdoor fires as part of the transition from the old year to the new one. Reykjavík and other Icelandic towns also celebrate with fireworks, and many households watch the annual New Year’s comedy program Áramótaskaupið. These customs make the night both communal and highly visible in the dark winter season.
Áramótabrennur are not the same as Þorrablót, a midwinter Icelandic festival held during the old Icelandic month of Þorri. Iceland’s New Year observances also vary by locality, so the bonfires should be understood as a national tradition with local expressions rather than one single centrally staged fire.