The holiday of Þrettándinn marks the day Icelanders bid farewell to their 13 Yule Lads
Iceland concludes its unique festive season with Þrettándinn, a mystical celebration where the last of thirteen mischievous Yule Lads returns to the mountains until the following year.
Icelandic folklore replaces the traditional Santa Claus with thirteen 'Yule Lads,' mischievous brothers who visit children on the nights leading up to Christmas. On January 6, known as Þrettándinn, the final lad departs for home, marking the official end of the holiday season. Icelanders celebrate with massive bonfires, fireworks, and parades featuring hidden folk like elves and trolls.
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