The National Museum’s Christmas program begins on December 7 when ogre couple Grýla and Leppalúdi and their monstrous cat visit the museum. On December 12 and every day after that, their sons, the 13 Yule Lads, will pay the museum a visit as well.
This year, 20 years have passed since the Yule Lads first dropped by the museum during their annual trip to town.
The National Museum’s Christmas program also includes events in English. On December 13 and 20, folklorist Terry Gunnell will give presentations on Icelandic Christmas traditions and introduce the 13 Yule Lads to foreign visitors.
On December 7, Grýla and Leppalúdi will discuss Icelandic Christmas traditions with the children and singer Adalsteinn Ásberg will perform carols and invite the children to sing along.
Their arrival is also the launch of the exhibition “Sérkenni sveinanna” (“The Characteristics of the Yule Lads”) which includes a Christmas house filled with objects related to the Yule Lads. Children can touch the objects and with their help understand the funny names of the lads.
In December, the National Museum offers free admission to the first floor, free admission to the entire museum on Wednesdays and children and teenagers under 18 years old can always visit the museum for free.
Click here to read more about Iceland’s naughty santas, the Yule Lads.
