Jól, or Yule, was celebrated in Iceland well before the advent of Christianity, but as very few contemporary accounts give any detailed description, very little is known about what religious practices were connected to Yule and what form celebrations took in the Saga era. Even the exact date of Jól isn't certain, though it would be logical to assume it was probably connected with the nearest full moon to the winter solstice.

Numerous references to Yule celebrations are sprinkled throughout the Sagas, and although they are very sparing in detail, it's evident (and totally unsurprising!) that feasting and the drinking of large amounts of Yule Ale were common features. Chieftains might hold large feasts that lasted several days and give gifts to their guests on their departure. In Egils saga Skallagrímssonar, Egil's friend Arinbjörn throws a sumptuous Yule feast:

"Arinbjörn held a great Yule-feast, to which he bade his friends and the neighbouring landowners. There was there much company and good cheer. Arinbjörn gave Egil as a Yule-gift a trailing robe made of silk, and richly broidered with gold, studded with gold buttons in front all down to the hem. Arinbjörn had had the robe made to fit Egil's stature. Arinbjörn gave also to Egil at Yule a complete suit newly made; it was cut of English cloth of many colours. Friendly gifts of many kinds gave Arinbjörn at Yule to those who were his guests, for Arinbjörn was beyond all men open-handed and noble." (1)

In the Grœnlendinga saga, Eiríkur rauði, was worried that he could not prepare for Yule as well as he knew he should. But Þorfinnur Karlsefni, just back from America, saved the day: "'We have in our ship, both malt and corn; take as much as thou desirest thereof, and make ready a feast as grand as thou wilt!' This Erik (Leif) accepted, and now preparation was made for the feast of Yule, and this feast was so grand that people thought they had hardly ever seen the like pomp in a poor land." (2)

No doubt farms and homesteads had their own less splendid feasts for folk to "drink Yule" together.

Yule feasts continued into early Medieval times. Powerful chieftains and clergy alike held large feasts at Yule which lasted for several days and included dancing, games and sports and other entertainment. In some areas the local folk gathered together and held a joint feast at Yule, which was called Jólagleði, Yule Joy. Sadly, the Reformation lacked any tolerance for Yule celebrations, and after the last Catholic Bishop at Hólar, Jón Arason, was beheaded in 1550, feasts and dancing were not allowed for a couple of centuries.


Main source: Yule in Iceland
(1) Egils saga Skallagrímssonar, trans W. C. Green 1893
(2) Saga of Thorfinn Karlsefni, trans 1906