Reykjavik's Christmas Creatures

In the year 2010, the City of Reykjavík decided to honour Iceland’s storytelling tradition by using the Christmas Creatures in the city’s Christmas decorations. You'll spot these amusing creatures in animated versions all over the city centre. 

This was done to encourage people to tell stories about the creatures from Icelandic folk tales - the thirteen Icelandic Yule Lads, who are both entertaining and boisterous troublemakers, their parents, Grýla and Leppalúði, who are nasty looking mountain trolls, and the terrifying Yule Cat which eats children at Christmas if they haven't received any nice clean clothes. 

The Christmas Creatures of Reykjavík is a special project created for the City of Reykjavík. The idea is to promote Icelandic folklore and connect locals and visitors in Reykjavík through stories and conversations. All of the Christmas Creatures of Reykjavík City will be present at Reykjavík Art Museum, Hafnarhús, from 3 December. The main goal of the project is to create an inspiring Christmas experience in the city, for visitors and inhabitants alike.

As part of the Advent celebrations, residents and visitors are invited to take part in a fun activity to hunt for the Christmas Creatures. The goal is to locate five of the Creatures. Find the words featured on the special Christmas Creature signs and write them down on the answer slip. Slips are available at the information centre in Aðalstræti 2, at the Reykjavík Art Museum, the City Hall and stores where the Christmas Creatures are projected. The slips are handed in at the information centre before 20th December. Winners will be announced on 21 December.