Iceland in January
Weather, Northern Lights odds, and what's actually worth planning around this month, pulled from the same sourced data used across this site's other timing tools.
| Average high | Average low | Daylight | Northern Lights |
|---|---|---|---|
| 37–41°F (3–5°C) | 28–33°F (−2–1°C) | ~5 hrs | Yes |
Same sourced figures as Iceland Weather by Month and Northern Lights Viewing Odds by Month. Rates last reviewed: August 20, 2026.
What's worth planning around in January
- Þorrablót, Iceland's midwinter feast of traditional foods (fermented shark, singed sheep's head, brennivin schnapps), begins late in the month and runs into February.
- One of the two peak Northern Lights months: long, genuinely dark nights with no midnight-sun interference.
- Quietest month for tourist crowds at major sights, though also the coldest alongside December.
- Þrettándinn (Twelfth Night), January 6th, marks the last day of Christmas, celebrated with fireworks and bonfires and the taking down of decorations, though many Icelanders keep string lights up well into February given how little daylight there still is.
Packing for January
Winter layering matters most this month: waterproof, genuinely warm outer layers, not just water-resistant ones. See Iceland Packing Regrets for what real travelers wish they'd packed.
Sources
- Weather and daylight figures: same source set as Iceland Weather by Month
- Northern Lights viewing status: same source set as Northern Lights Viewing Odds by Month
- F-road status: same source set as Iceland F-Roads Explained
- Guide to Iceland, "The Top 30 Festivals in Iceland", July 2026
- What's On in Reykjavík, "Music Festivals in Iceland 2026: The Full Calendar"
- Rick Steves' Europe, "Holidays and Festivals in Iceland 2026–2027"
- Guide to Iceland, "The Old Icelandic Calendar: Months, Seasons, and Traditions", July 2026
- Iceland Review, "The Icelandic Culture: An Insight into Holidays and Customs"
- Lava Car Rental, "Top 13 Annual Icelandic Traditions and 2026 Dates", January 2026
- What's On in Reykjavík, "An Introduction to Iceland's Customs and Traditions"
- Wikipedia, "First day of summer (Iceland)" (2026 date confirmation)
- Icerental4x4, "Iceland Festivals and Events" 2026 guide (Laugavegur Ultra Marathon)
- What's On in Reykjavík, "Guide to Verslunarmannahelgi and Þjóðhátíð 2026" (Goslok)
Frequently asked questions
What's the weather like in Iceland in January?
Daytime highs in January typically run 37–41°F (3–5°C), with overnight lows around 28–33°F (−2–1°C). You'll get roughly ~5 hrs of daylight. Iceland's weather is genuinely unpredictable regardless of month, so treat this as a realistic range to plan around, not a forecast.
Can you see the Northern Lights in Iceland in January?
Yes. Only ~5 hrs of daylight; long, dark nights. Darkness is the baseline requirement; clear skies and solar activity on the actual night still decide whether you see anything, which is true in any month.