A glory of lights, elf coffee and reindeers in Hellisgerði

Men in sheds created the decorations for the park this year

Hellisgerði has in recent years glowed all year round, especially during Advent. Great ambition has been put into the last few years to create a world of adventures, lights and joy  in the run-up to Christmas for the whole family. This year, Men in sheds (Karlar í skúrum) were recruited to design and create environmentally friendly Christmas decorations for the park. Their creativity has resulted in beautiful wooden reindeer, in all shapes and sizes. The reindeer are added to the large number of elves and hidden people who have been said to live in Hellisgerði. There is also a beautiful café and handicraft shop, Litla Álfabúðin, which is open every weekend during Advent, in line with the opening hours of the Christmas Village in Hafnarfjörður.

The Christmas route runs through Hafnarfjörður

A true Christmas adventure land has for several years been created during advent in Hellisgerði, the 100-year-old beautiful park in the heart of Hafnarfjörður. At the entrance, from Reykjavíkurvegur, a beautifully lit Christmas heart welcomes guests and passersby´s, followed by an adventurous world of of lights and pleasures that delight the eye and spirit. Many people make their way through the park, walking around the Christmas Town of Hafnarfjörður, breathing in the Christmas spirit and enjoying every moment in the arms of family and friends.

A lighthouse bookcase and reindeer

Hafnafjörður’s collaboration with Men in sheds (Karlar í skúrum) is not new. Men in sheds were responsible for the design and construction of a beautiful lighthouse bookcase that was installed in the autumn of 2021, at the entrance to Hellisgerði, from Hellisgata. The bookcase has gained great popularity and can be used as a year-round book exchange market, where visitors and pedestrians are encouraged to grab a book and give one to others in return. We have recived great ideas for installing more of such lighthouses around town, and Ásvallalaug has been thought of as the next possible location. Men in sheds is a community project that the Red Cross started in early 2018 and is located at Helluhraun 8 in Hafnarfjörður, where among other things, lighthouses and reindeer are designed and built in great collaboration. The project is based on the philosophy that men talk best when they are working together, with handicrafts. The shed itself is intended as a safe and friendly place for men from the age of 18 to meet and work on creative and fun projects, together or by themselves at their own pace and terms.

The Christmas Village is open every weekend during Advent

The Christmas Village in Hafnarfjörður is open every weekend during Advent; Fridays from 17-20, Saturdays and Sundays from 13-18, until Christmas. The Christmas Village is full of life and fun, and the beautifully decorated Christmas houses offer exciting gift´s, gourmet delicacies, crafts and design, amidst mild Christmas lights, sweet musical tones and a thriving culture.

All about the Christmas Town of Hafnarfjörður (Icelandic)