Iceland in November
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) | ~30–35°F (−1–2°C) | ~6–7 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 November
- Iceland Airwaves, Iceland's largest music festival, runs November 4–7 in 2026, across venues throughout Reykjavík.
- Towns begin putting up Christmas lights and decorations as the month goes on.
- One of the darkest, most reliable Northern Lights months, though also one of the coldest and windiest for driving.
- Jólabókaflóðið, the Christmas Book Flood, begins in early November: Iceland's publishers release most of the year's new titles at once, and a free catalog of them, the Bókatíðindi, is mailed to every household.
Packing for November
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 November?
Daytime highs in November typically run ~37–41°F (3–5°C), with overnight lows around ~30–35°F (−1–2°C). You'll get roughly ~6–7 hrs of daylight. These are averages, not guarantees, Iceland's weather can shift within the same day regardless of season.
Can you see the Northern Lights in Iceland in November?
Yes. Approaching the darkest months. Getting the darkness right is only step one, cloud cover and solar activity on the specific night still decide the outcome.