Events

Calendar

Festivals and events

There are festivals, carnivals and cultural events happening somewhere in Iceland almost every day of the year. Here’s a summary of a few of the more prominent and popular ones, as well as a couple that aren’t as widely known, but we think should be! We’ve also included some key cultural dates, such as those relating to Icelandic customs around Christmas time.

When What

January 6 Þrettándinn, the Twelfth Night, when elves and trolls come out and everyone gathers around bonfires. Where

All around Iceland check local tourist information for bonfire locations

Late January to late February

MidFebruary

February/ March

March Þorrablót is a traditional winter festival coinciding with the old Icelandic month of Þorri. It involves a lot of traditional Icelandic food, so don’t be surprised if restaurant menus during this time list dishes such as sour ram’s testicles (súrsaðir hrútspungar), singed sheep’s head (svið) or liver and suet pudding (lifrarpylsa).

The Reykjavík Winter Lights Festival features northern lights tours, dances, winter sports exhibitions, and a Museum Night during which many museums staying open until late, and a free bus service to shuttle people from one museum to the next. All over Iceland In homes and some restaurants

Reykjavík vetrarhatid.is

The Food and Fun Festival attracts top chefs from around the country and around the world. A very good time to be eating out! Reykjavík foodandfun.is

Reykjavík Folk Festival - Listen to folk musicians of all agest at a three-day feast of folk music. Festival is at the beginning of March Reykjavík folkfestival.is

When What

March Design March - Hönnunarmars Iceland’s most important annual design festival. From fashion to furniture, architecture to food design, the festival showcases the best of the local design scene alongside exciting international names. Note: Design March 2021 will be held in May 2021 because of COVID-19 restrictions. Where

Reykjavík designmarch.is

Monday before Ash Wednesday Bolludagur, or ‘bun day’, is the day for eating Icelandic cream puffs. All around Iceland

Tuesday before Ash Wednesday Sprengidagur, ‘bursting day’, is for eating salted meat and pea soup – to bursting point. It’s a welcome relief after all the cream puffs from the day before. All around Iceland

Ash Wednesday Öskudagur Ash Wednesday. Öskudagur Ash Wednesday is originally a Catholic holiday but nowadays it is Iceland’s answer to Halloween. Children dress up in fancy costumes, and visit shops and companies where they sing in exchange for candy. All around Iceland

Easter weekend Aldrei fór ég suður (‘I never went south’) contemporary music festival of established and up-and-coming musicians. Ísafjörður aldrei.is

Thursday between April 19 & 25 The official first day of summer. Communities hold fun, family-oriented outdoor activities. All around Iceland national holiday

Mid-May to early June The Reykjavík Arts Festival promotes Icelandic and international culture in all fields of art. Reykjavík artfest.is

1st weekend in June Sjómannadagur, Seafarer’s Day salutes the lives and work of fishermen and anyone else working at sea. Parades, cultural events, competitions and plenty of tasty seafood. All around Iceland

When What

June, July & August: Sundays 4pm Musical Moments at Gljúfrasteinn. Weekly concerts in an intimate setting, ranging from folk songs to classical violin.

June to August

June to August Hóladómkirkja Cathedral concert series – *the schedule is posted on the website listed, but not always in English.

Summer Arts Festival is a seasonal celebration in Akureyri, focused on culture and the arts, with concerts, exhibitions, dancing, theatre, literature and more. Where

Gljúfrasteinn Laxness Museum gljufrasteinn.is

Hólar kirkjan.is/holar*

Akureyri listak.is

Mid-June

June 17

Late June

July & August: Tuesdays 8.30pm The Viking Market – a festival of Viking culture, attracting Viking enthusiasts from all around the world, some in full Viking costume. Highlights include markets, dances, music and wrestling.

Iceland’s Independence Day, or National Day – Þjóðhátíðardagurinn. On this day in 1944, the Republic of Iceland was formed. June 17 was the birthday of Jón Sigurðsson, a major figure of the 19th century Icelandic independence movement. Festivities in most towns. Parades in Akureyri and Reykjavík, plus street theatres, dancing and other performances.

Arctic Open, an international golf tournament hosted by the Akureyri Golf Club in North Iceland, where golfers get to play under the midnight sun. Hafnarfjörður fjorukrain.is

All over Iceland A national holiday

Akureyri arcticopen.is

The Sigurjón Ólafsson Museum summer concert series featuring classical and jazz performers. Reykjavík lso.is

When What

July Siglufjörður Folk Festival is a lively musical celebration of traditional Icelandic folk music. Where

Siglufjörður folkmusik.is

Mid-July LungA Arts Festival, a celebration of art, with workshops, concerts and fashion shows in Seyðisfjörður. Seyðisfjörður lunga.is

July to early August Skálholt Summer Concerts Festival, a free classical music festival. Skálholt Church sumartonleikar.is

2nd weekend in July Irish Days in Akranes festival, celebrating the town’s Irish origins with dancing, Irish music and contests including the “reddest redhead competition”. Akranes irskirdagar.is

Late June Secret Solstice Music festival in Reykjavík.

Late June Reykholtshátíð Music Festival, an international (mainly classical) music festival with a growing reputation and in a unique setting at the historic Reykholt. secretsolstice.is

Reykholt reykholtshatid.is

1st weekend in August Verslunarmannahelgi Bank Holiday Weekend During this long weekend there is a quirky music festival in Reykjavík called “Innipúkinn. More info at https://www.facebook.com/Innipukinnfestival All over Iceland A national holiday on the Monday

1st week in August The Herring Festival a nostalgic celebration of Siglufjörður’s boom-town herring days, with fish preparation, music and family entertainment. Siglufjörður fjallabyggd.is

Thursday to Monday 1st week in August Ein Með Öllu (‘One With Everything’) is a family festival in Akureyri - and also a popular type of hotdog in Iceland. Akureyri, visitakureyri.is

When What

2nd weekend in August The Gay Pride Festival is a hugely popular celebration characterised by music, color and joy. Unusual among worldwide Gay Pride festivals in that it is first and foremost a family event. More than 100,000 people attend. Where

Reykjavík gaypride.is

3rd or 4th Saturday in August Menningarnótt, Reykjavik Culture Night – arguably Reykjavík’s biggest cultural event of the year. Concerts, exhibitions, happenings, and downtown residents opening their houses to offer Icelandic waffles and café. Always the same day as the popular Reykjavik Marathon where over ten thousand participants flock to Reykjavík to compete in the various events. Reykjavík menningarnott.is marathon.is

August/ September Reykjavík Jazz Festival Reykjavík, reykjavikjazz.is

1st weekend in September Ljósanótt, Night of the Lights Festival, featuring local performers, family events, street markets and the lighting of cliffs facing Reykjanesbær.

September/ October Reykjavík International Film Festival Reykjanesbær ljosanott.is

Reykjavík riff.is

September to early October Icelandic sheep roam free in the summer until the sheep farmers round them up on foot and on horseback. Réttir, sheep round-ups, take place all over Iceland and are a lot of fun – volunteers welcome! All around Iceland - try the local tourist information center for details of tours or opportunities to participate.

When What

October/ early November Iceland Airwaves. The country’s biggest music festival, and one of the world’s coolest. Airwaves gains in popularity and reputation every year, attracting an excellent range of local and international musicians and holding the city in a state of musical bliss for five days and nights. Where

Reykjavík icelandairwaves.is

October 9 to December 8.

December 12 The Imagine Peace Tower at Viðey Island is lit, marking the anniversaries of John Lennon’s birth and death. The beam of light can be seen from all over Reykjavík. Viðey Island

Christmas in Iceland begins. The first yuletide lad arrives from the mountains this day, to the delight of children who receive a little something in their shoe every morning now until Christmas. Imagine a country with 13 Santas! A lovely time of year if you happen to be visiting. All around Iceland

December 23 Þorláksmessa, the Mass of Saint Þorlákur. Shops are open late, and restaurants smell of ammoniainfused fermented skate. All around Iceland

December 24 Christmas Eve, the main day of celebration for Christian Icelanders. All around Iceland

December 31 New Year’s Eve, Iceland’s crowning winter event, when the capital city kicks-starts the new year with an incredible fireworks display. The event now attracts thousands of visitors from abroad who join in the fun as the city’s residents set off around 500 tons of fireworks. Reykjavík inspiredbyiceland. com