Atlantica - 01.12.2004, Side 17

New Year’s Eve in Reykjavík starts off on a tranquil note when familes gather for a rather formal
dinner. Restaurants and bars are closed but visitors can still head to the larger hotel restaurants
such as Hótel Holt, Hótel Saga and Hótel Borg for a festive meal. At around nine pm, the tradi-
tional bonfires are lit – a pagan tradition for the New Year when elves and elemental beings join
humans in dancing and singing. At midnight, all hell breaks loose when citizens set off massive
quantities of fireworks, turning Reykjavík into something resembling a war zone. When the fumes
die down at around 2 am, head downtown to the bars and clubs where you can party until the
next morning.
For guided New Year’s Eve tours and bonfire trips contact Reykjavík excursions:
www.kynnisferdir.is tel +354 562 1011
PHOTO BY PÁLL STEFÁNSSON
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