Three Festive Days in a Row

They say good things happen in threes — and in Iceland, the seventh week before Easter proves just that. Over the course of three consecutive days, the country celebrates Bolludagur, Sprengidagur, and Öskudagur.

​These traditions became firmly rooted in Icelandic culture around the 18th–19th centuries and we still celebrate it today, but with a modern twist. 

Bolludagur

​The celebrations kick off on a Monday with Bolludagur, also known as Bun Day. Almost every Icelander enjoys a Bolla — fluffy choux pastry buns filled with jam and whipped cream, typically topped with chocolate glaze (think profiteroles with an Icelandic twist).

Bakeries across the country sell thousands of these irresistible treats, some household bake them from scratch (but it's not an easy thing to do) and you can also buy ready made buns in the grocery store and fill them yourself. The Bollas are becoming more unique with every year with new flavours and twists.

In the 18th & 19th century it was tradition by playfully swatting people with a bolludagsvöndur (a decorated stick with a paper paddle), shouting “Bolla! Bolla! Bolla!” until they earn their bun, but I think know people just try to taste as many bollas as they can. 

Sprengidagur

​Tuesday brings Sprengidagur, Iceland’s version of Mardi Gras. The featured dish is saltkjöt og baunir — salted meat served with vegetables and yellow split pea soup is enjoyed by many locals, but is getting less popular with the younger generation.

The name “Sprengidagur” is often interpreted as “Bursting Day,” suggesting you eat until you can’t anymore.

Historically, the day was tied to Catholic traditions as a final feast before the 40 days of Lent. Today,  the main focus is simply on enjoying a filling meal and trying to eat as much as possible.

Öskudagur

The three-day celebration wraps up with Öskudagur, (Ash Wednesday) and the first day of Lent.
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Traditionally, this was a solemn religious observance marking repentance, where ashes were placed on people’s foreheads during mass. In Iceland, the custom evolved over time — at one point, people would secretly pin small ash bags onto someone they fancied.
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Today, however, it’s all about the kids. Öskudagur has a Halloween-like vibe: children dress in costumes and go from shop to shop or door to door, singing songs in exchange for candy. Many schools also offer a special day for the kids where they go through a maze, whack a piñata or do a haunted house.