Ár­bær Open Air Mu­seum

The guide takes guests to all the main houses of the museum and tells their stories. The guided tour is in English and takes just over an hour.

Welcome to Árbær Open Air Museum for a ghost scavenger hunt 24-28 October at 13:00-17:00. Free entry and everyone is welcome! Can you find the ghosts in the museum area? This game will take you around the area, with stops where you can have fun while searching for several ghosts hiding around the museum. The game can be obtained at the museum's front desk. This event is part of the Reykjavík City Museum’s Autumn break program. Admission to all museum exhibition sites is free for adults accompanied by children 24-28 October.

Welcome to a turnip carving workshop on 27 October at 13:00-14:00 and 14:00-15:00. The workshop is intended for children aged 7–10. Admission is free and everyone is welcome, but registration is required. Please note that there are two workshop sessions available, and it is necessary to register to secure a spot. Please book a place and specify which time you prefer, 13:00-14:00 or 14:00-15:00, by sending an email to hopar.borgarsogusafn@reykjavik.is In the 16th century, people in Ireland carved turnips. These were placed outside the front door to scare away evil spirits and welcome guests. A lit candle was placed inside the turnip. In the 19th century, Irish immigrants brought the tradition to the United States, where pumpkins began to be used instead of turnips. Here is a video about turnip carving made a few years ago: https://vimeo.com/470110708 Please note that there is a limited number of turnips available, with one turnip per child. Tools must be shared during the workshop. This event is part of the Reykjavík City Museum’s Autumn break program. Admission to all museum exhibition sites is free for adults accompanied by children 24-28 October.

Celebrate Advent and Christmas in the old-fashioned way at the Árbær Open Air Museum on Sunday, 7th of December, and 14th December from 13:00 to 16:00. The ever-popular Christmas program, at Árbær Open Air Museum has become a fixture of the Reykjavík´s Christmas calendar. Visitors, young and old, will enjoy experiencing the Christmas preparation and celebration of days gone by. This includes preparation of traditional Icelandic Christmas food and crafts, for example candle making. Playful Yule Lads (traditional Icelandic Santa Clauses) peep through windows and play tricks on guests. Main events: 14:00-16:00 Entertainment with the Christmas Lads 14:00 Service at the Church 15:00 Singing and dancing around the Christmas tree The Christmas preparations are in full swing in the village. At the Árbær farm, you can see how traditional Icelandic Leaf Bread is decorated and how sheep wool is spun. Visitors to Hábær will be able to get a taste of traditional Icelandic hangikjöt (smoked lamb), and at Nýlenda House, a man is carving funny figures out of wood. At Efstibær, the customary Skate fish, with its awful smell, is cooking in the pot, while at Miðhús, the printer makes Christmas cards. At the Stable in Garðastræti, candles are traditionally made and at Suðurgata 7 the Christmas celebration at the beginning of the 20th century is depicted. Traditional Christmas sweets will be on offer in the General Store and freshly brewed coffee and hot chocolate awaits at Dillon's Café—the perfect spot to recharge with some delightful refreshments. Admission is free for children, people with disabilities and City Card holders. Others pay ISK 2,450 Please note that the programme ends at 16:00, but the museum is open until 17:00.