What do they have in common? Appearances in Reykjavik today, December 13.
Gully Gawk (top left) with some of his brothers at The Little Christmas Shop on Reykjavik's main street, Laugavegur.
The 2nd Yuletide Lad arrived during the wee hours of this morning. His name is Gully Gawk (Giljagaur) and when he’s not sneaking a little present through the frosty window into Icelandic children’s shoes, he generally hangs out in the cowshed, looking to steal the cream from the top of the milk bucket.
Gully Gawk is sometimes known as Gully Oaf, and there are a few translations for all the Yuletide Lads; yesterday’s Sheep-Cote Clod is sometimes called ‘Sheep Worrier’ for instance, and tomorrow’s Stubby is also known as Shorty.
At this time of year, there are a myriad of concerts, performances and special events at music venues, theatres, museums and churches. Winter is the time when Icelandic theatres run back to back performances, and Harpa concert hall also has an especially busy and diverse programme.
Fríkirkjan church by Reykjavik's Pond (Tjörnin).
Today, if you happen to celebrate St Lucia’s Day (observed most prominently in Sweden), Fréttabladid reports that there will be a St Lucia procession at Reykjavík’s Seltjarnarnes Church, beginning at 6.30pm, with the choir led by a local girl chosen as this year’s Lucia. The Swedish children’s choir in Iceland also performed this morning at the Nordic House, lighting up the pitch-darkness of 8am with candles and song.
At Fríkirkjan Church, right in the centre of Reykjavík, the Reykjavik Wind Quintet (RWQ) will be performing a selection of Beethoven and Mozart pieces at 8pm, including the signature composition from The Magic Flute. The RWQ was established 30 years ago and has performed to great acclaim all over the world – from the Sydney Opera House to Carnegie Hall.
But if you don’t want to do anything in particular, it’s also a lovely time of year to simply stroll down the streets, enjoying the Christmas cheer and seeing the advent candles and other festive lights adorning every other window 
Leif Eriksson steps out onto the Christmas tree in front of Reykjavik's Hallgrímskirkja church, dazzled by the Christmassy reflection of today's afternoon sun.
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