The large New Year’s Eve bonfires traditionally lit across Iceland are called brennur.
The Icelandic word brenna means “to burn,” and the plural brennur refers to the communal bonfires held in towns and neighborhoods. People gather around them on New Year’s Eve, often combining the fires with singing, fireworks, and other celebrations.
The custom has older roots in seasonal communal gatherings and has become part of Iceland’s distinctive New Year observance. The bonfires are especially visible because Icelandic communities are relatively compact and the winter darkness makes flames easy to see.
Iceland’s New Year’s Eve is also famous for enormous privately purchased fireworks displays. Reykjavík residents and other communities may watch several bonfires while fireworks appear throughout the sky. Local authorities regulate the events, and the exact number and location of bonfires can change from year to year.