Iceland is famous for having 13 Santa-like figures , known as the Yule Lads.

Quick Scoop

  • In Icelandic folklore, children don’t wait for one Santa Claus but for 13 Yule Lads who arrive one by one before Christmas.
  • These Yule Lads are often described in English as Iceland’s “13 Santas,” each with a distinct name, personality, and favorite mischief.
  • Traditionally they were quite naughty (even scary), but in modern times they are portrayed more like quirky gift-bringing Santas who leave small presents in children’s shoes.

So if you’re wondering how many Santas does Iceland have – the fun, folklore-based answer is: 13.

TL;DR: Iceland doesn’t have just one Santa; its Christmas folklore features 13 Yule Lads , commonly called “13 Santas of Iceland.”

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.