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I love Iceland. We have visited three times and each time have marveled at the natural beauty of the island nation. We’ve never been at Christmas, but Iceland offers a mix of familiar holiday customs like decorated trees, family celebrations, and festive songs as well as its own magical, mysterious folklore and traditions. This year, Icelandair is bringing one of Iceland’s most iconic legends front and center with the Yule Cat starring in a modern Christmas story.
Icelandair, in partnership with creative agency Hvíta húsið, has unveiled a new Christmas commercial that reinterprets the legendary Yule Cat (Jólakötturinn). Historically feared as a monstrous creature that devoured anyone who didn’t receive new clothes for Christmas, the Yule Cat served as both cautionary tale and motivator for generosity.
In the new video, a young boy discovers a disheveled Yule Cat alone in an alley and helps the creature prepare for holiday travel. Their growing friendship transforms the once-menacing figure into a symbol of care, connection, and kindness. The narrative pays tribute to the final verses of Jóhannes úr Kötlum’s famous poem, which urges compassion for those who “receive nothing” amid winter darkness. Icelandair describes the story as a love letter to Icelandic heritage that celebrates the joy of helping others and getting “travel-ready” for the holidays. It’s a cute holiday commercial and puts a spin on something that was pretty scary.
The Yule Cat is traditionally a towering black feline with glowing eyes that is said to roam the snowy countryside before Christmas. Those who worked hard during the year received new clothes, while those who didn’t risked being hunted by the cat. Passed down since at least the 19th century and immortalized in verse, the Yule Cat is now a staple of Icelandic holiday storytelling.
Other traditional elements include:
The 13 Yule Lads
Rather than a single Santa Claus, Icelandic children enjoy visits from 13 mischievous Yule Lads. Each night in the 13 days leading up to Christmas, a different Lad arrives, leaving treats or rotting potatoes in a shoe placed on the windowsill depending on the child’s behavior. The Yule Lads, each with a distinct personality and playful habit, bring humor and anticipation to the holiday countdown.
Christmas Lights in the Winter Darkness
With less than five hours of daylight in December, Icelanders rely on festive lights to brighten the season.
Radio Dedications on December 23rd
Since the establishment of national radio in 1930, Icelanders have gathered on December 23rd to listen to a broadcast of holiday greetings shared across the country. Originally intended to connect distant relatives, the tradition has become a cherished part of the holidays, with radio greetings filling nearly the entire day’s programming.
Christmas Foods and Festive Gatherings
Seasonal treats play a central role in Icelandic celebrations. Families bake cookies, prepare laufabrauð (a thin, decorative bread) and enjoy the national holiday beverage known as Malt og appelsín, which is a mix of malt extract and orange soda. On Þorláksmessa, December 23rd, many Icelanders eat fermented skate.
Reykjavík at Christmas
Travelers visiting Iceland during the season will find Reykjavík lit with festive displays. Tjörnin lake reflects shimmering lights, a giant Yule Cat sculpture stands guard downtown, and Ingólfstorg Square hosts a lively outdoor ice rink and Christmas market.
Anthony’s Take: I love this new holiday commercial and now need to get to Iceland around the holidays. Like Krampus, the Yule Cat is way cooler than an elf on a shelf.
(Featured Image Credit: Icelandair.)
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Advertiser & Editorial Disclosure: The Bulkhead Seat earns an affiliate commission for anyone approved through the links above This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. We work to provide the best publicly available offers to our readers. We frequently update them, but this site does not include all available offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities.
