The best of Winter & Christmas in the Faroe Islands

The Faroe Islands in winter offer a magical escape, where crisp air, cosy traditions, and dramatic natural scenery come together to create an unforgettable festive season.

Twinkling lights brighten the long nights, and music, food, and community events bring warmth and joy across the islands. Highlights include Tórshavn’s tree-lighting and Christmas markets, and the much-anticipated Winter Jazz Festival. Here is a selection of seasonal events that showcase the islands’ winter spirit:

30 November – 23 December: Christmas Markets & Tree Lighting, Tórshavn
Each year, the capital, Tórshavn, ushers in the festive season with the lighting of a giant Christmas tree in the Vaglið Square on 29 November. Families gather under soft lights as carols fill the air, before markets open daily throughout December. Wooden chalets brim with handcrafted gifts, Faroese wool products, mulled wine, waffles, local pastries, and seasonal delicacies. Choirs, bands, and street musicians perform regularly, and children can visit Santa Claus. The warm, bustling atmosphere turns Tórshavn’s old town into a glowing winter village, offering locals and visitors a sense of community and festive delight. No admission charge for the market or tree lighting.

Stay at: Hotel Hafnia in central Tórshavn from £163 per night (two sharing). For more information, visit https://hotelhafnia.com/

November – March: Northern Lights & Stargazing
With long, dark nights and virtually no light pollution, the Faroe Islands provide a perfect setting for celestial wonders. From November through to March, the elusive northern lights – known locally as “Norðlýsið” – paint the night skies in ribbons of green and violet, best admired in the northern village of Viðareiði or the southern island of Suðuroy. The experience is enhanced by the islands’ silence and solitude, where it feels as though the whole sky belongs to you. Winter also coincides with two meteor showers: the Ursids’ (21 – 22 December), bringing up to 10 shooting stars per hour, and the Quadrantids’ (3 – 4 January), promising as many as 120 meteors per hour under peak conditions. Stargazing in the Faroes is a rare chance to feel truly connected to nature and the cosmos.

Stay at: Hotel Føroyar, providing a calm escape on a hillside overlooking the capital city Tórshavn and the fjord of Nolsoy, from £186 per night (two sharing). For more information, visit www.hotelforoyar.com.

December: Ice Skating in Klaksvík 
During December, the northern town of Klaksvík becomes a family-friendly winter destination thanks to its outdoor ice rink. Beneath festive lights and seasonal music, locals and tourists glide across the ice and warm up with hot chocolate, waffles or local treats from cafes like Café Fríða. The rink, set against the town’s dramatic harbour backdrop, captures a true Scandinavian winter spirit. It’s a cheerful gathering point where joy, movement and the chilly air mix in memorable moments. Typical rink use fees are around DKK 50-100 (£6 – £12) per session, depending on time; check locally.

Stay at: Hotel Klaksvík from £138 per night (two sharing). More information at www.hotelklaksvik.fo

December: Faroese Chain Dancing & Seasonal Concerts, Tórshavn
A winter visit to the Faroes is not complete without experiencing the traditional Faroese chain dance, one of Europe’s oldest community folk dances. Held at the Nordic House in Tórshavn, these Friday evening gatherings invite both locals and visitors of all ages to join hands and move in unison while singing centuries-old ballads that recount tales of heroes and history. It is an inclusive, communal experience that has been passed down for generations, providing a fascinating window into Faroese culture. Alongside these dances, Tórshavn also hosts seasonal concerts during December, where choirs, folk musicians and contemporary artists perform in intimate venues across the city. Together, these events showcase the living traditions of the Faroes and offer visitors a chance to connect directly with local heritage. Seasonal concerts tend to draw small audiences and often sell out early. Entry prices typically range from DKK 150 to DKK 300 (£18 – £35), depending on the artist and venue. Admission to chain dance evenings is free.

Stay at: Hotel Brandan, close to venues in Tórshavn. From £122 per night (two sharing). For more information, visit www.hotelbrandan.com

25 January – 31 January 2026: Winter Jazz (Vetrajazz)
Every January, Havnar Jazzfelag organises Vetrajazz / Winter Jazz, a week-long cultural festival celebrating jazz, folk, and beat music across Tórshavn. The festival is intended to nurture both local musical talent and bring varied international and Faroese acts together under one banner. Concerts take place in multiple settings – from intimate cafes and small clubs to larger concert halls – giving each show its own character and ambience. Ticketing is handled via Atgongumerki.fo (the Faroese ticketing platform), where full jazz passes and individual concert tickets can be purchased. Smaller concerts may have lower entry prices (for example, local gigs in Blabar Jazz and Blues bar have been listed for DKK 100 (£12).

Stay at: The modern Hilton Garden Inn Faroe Islands, with spa facilities and a central Tórshavn location, from £145 per night (two sharing). For more on the festival and tickets, see https://www.jazz.fo/ and Atgongumerki.fo

All Winter: Horse Riding on Faroese horses
For active travellers, horse riding offers a unique way to explore Faroese nature even in winter. Guided tours on calm horses depart from stables like Berg Hestar or Streymoy. Guides offer local context, and many tours include warming refreshments in farmhouses. A typical 1.5-hour tour provides sweeping views over valleys and sea, while longer rides explore mountain passes and coastal trails. For beginners or intermediate riders, 1-1.5-hour rides are priced at DKK 700 pp (£83), while a 2-2.5-hour route starts from DKK 900 pp (£106). For more adventurous riders, all-day treks start from DKK 1,200 pp (£142). Some “Ride & Dine” tours (with a meal) are DKK 1,595 pp (£189).

Stay at: Hotel Vágar (near Vágar Airport) from £110 per night (two sharing). For more information, visit www.hotelvagar.fo.

See Visit Faroe Islands (www.visitfaroeislands.com) for more information, or visit What’s On – Events for an overview of forthcoming events.

Daily flights from London to the Faroe Islands (via Copenhagen) operate year-round and cost from £118 pp one way. Visit www.atlantic.fo for further information.

Choose from a selection of hotels, guesthouses, cottages, self-catering apartments and campsites in the Faroe Islands. Visit https://visitfaroeislands.com/en/plan-your-stay/accommodation for further information.

PRESS: Commissioned press trip enquiries welcome.

Editor’s Notes:  

About the Faroe Islands:

• Population: 56,148
• Number of sheep: 80,000
• Number of islands: 18
• Total area: 1,399 km2

Press: Please contact Jane Collyer or Sue Ockwell at Travel PR for more information, tel: 020 8891 4440; email: j.collyer@travelpr.co.uk or s.ockwell@travelpr.co.uk.