Welcome to the Christmas wonderland in Hellisgerði

A veritable Christmas wonderland has risen in Hellisgerði, this nearly 100-year-old and beautiful pleasure garden of the people of Hafnarfjörður in the town centre of Hafnarfjörður. At the entrance to Hellisgerði from Reykjavikurveg, a large red Christmas heart has now been erected, and from there it is an enchanting world of lights and delights. String lights and illuminated figures that delight the eye and the soul. The couple, Jóhanna Guðrún and Davíð Sigurgeirsson, who are from Hafnarfjörður, were responsible for „opening“ the Christmas wonderland with a beautiful Christmas song at the start of the week, inviting visitors to the garden to enjoy it. 

^{The couple, Jóhanna Guðrún and Davíð Sigurgeirsson, performed a song for guests and passers-by at the start of the week. .}

An attractive park for outdoor activities and socialising with the „Christmas Balloon“.“

During this unusual Advent, with no open events or organised programme on offer, it was decided to bring and extend the Christmas spirit, Christmas light and Christmas joy of the Christmas Town and Christmas Village in Hafnarfjörður to Hellisgerði. Thus, the town authorities and staff wanted to find a way to create a different and unique experience and an attractive venue for outdoor recreation and spending time with the immediate family, or the „Christmas bubble“ as the trio calls it. Design and concept work began in November, and the team enlisted the artist and Hafnarfjörður resident Anthony Bacigalupo, who was born and raised in California. The team, along with other professionals, has been working on the installation for the past few days and weeks.

^{A true Christmas wonderland has risen in Hellisgerði. Numerous council employees have been involved in the design and installation, with the assistance of consultants and other professionals. A collaboration that is yielding excellent results.} 

^{Here you can see the Mayor of Hafnarfjörður, Rósa Guðbjartsdóttir, with the artist couple Jóhanna and Davíð, and Anthony Bacigalupo, who was involved in the project as a consultant.}  

The perfect garden for a picnic with cocoa and cakes

It is safe to say that the project is attracting well-deserved attention and delight, and footfall in the garden has been high so far this December, particularly in recent days. Many people make their way through the garden on their walk around the Christmas town, and you can also see families on a picnic with hot chocolate and Christmas biscuits, children doing some light lava climbing and caving, and ice-skating on the pond at the bottom of the garden. Some have been on an adventure, searching for elves and fairies, as the story goes that a great many of them live there. The Elf Shop in Hellisgerði is open every weekend in Advent from 12 pm to 5 pm, where you can buy beautiful handicrafts and design, and treat yourself to elf cocoa and gingerbread. This beautiful garden holds many stories and memories for the people of Hafnarfjörður and friends of the town, and will undoubtedly create new and fond memories this Advent.

^{The Elf Cottage in Hellisgerði is open on weekends throughout Advent from 12 pm to 5 pm. Wearing a mask is required in the cottage.} 

Our garden for all

Hellisgerði is a park and a shared resource for all residents of Hafnarfjörður, and it is hoped that everyone will actively participate in protecting and looking after this beautiful natural gem, as well as the splendour of lights that is open to all this Christmas season. Securitas will also be assisting the residents of Hafnarfjörður with surveillance. Visitors are asked to observe all social distancing measures in the park (as well as on their other visits around the Christmas town) and to wear masks if it is not possible to maintain a 2-metre distance.

Take part in a light-hearted and clever treasure hunt around Hellisgerði.