HAFNARFJÖRÐUR

Þorrinn

Every winter, Icelanders celebrate the annual Þorrablót, a lively festival celebrating the Icelandic heritage. There’s singing, dancing, and, of course, the consumption of traditional Icelandic food: smoked lamb, singed sheep heads, and fermented shark, all topped off with Brennivín (Icelandic schnapps).

Winter Lights festival

February This event is intended to stimulate and enliven city life in midwinter. It celebrates both the winter and the growing light after a long period of darkness. All the major cultural and educational institutions participate, and clubs, galleries, artists, shops, restaurants and many more join in the fun.

Museum Night

February Reykjavík’s museums stay open past midnight and offer special events, including theatre, street performances, dance, and visual arts. A special Museum Night bus travels between the museums and entrance is free of charge. (Isn’t this just part of the Winter Lights festival?)

Reykjavík Cocktail Weekend

February The Icelandic Bartender Association, in cooperation with many bars and restaurants in Reykjavík, hosts the annual Reykjavík Cocktail weekend. There are several events such as concerts, live music and offers on drinks. union for peace on earth. Every voice in the world is asked to join and sing John Lennon’s song Love.

DesignMarch

March DesignMarch is a festival celebrating Icelandic design in all its forms. From fashion to furniture, architecture to food design, the festival presents the best of the local design scene alongside exciting international names. Due to the pandemic, DesignMarch has been taking place during the month of May, so adjust your calendars!

Reykjavík Folk Music Festival

March A three-day musical feast celebrating the diversity and breadth of the Icelandic folk music scene. The festival showcases artists of all ages; you can listen to musical outpourings of woe and wonder from contemporary bands, but then be transported back in time to listen to the wonderful soundtrack and musical stories of times gone by.

Stockfish Film Festival

March 24-April 3 The festival screens some of the most up-and-coming arthouse films in the world and invites international filmmakers to discuss the state of filmmaking, the industry and the community.

German Film Days

March The German Film Days are organised by Bíó Paradís in cooperation with the Goethe Institut Denmark and the German Embassy in Iceland.

SPRING

Reykjavík Blues Festival

March/April Blues artists from around the world perform together in some of the most unique jam sessions in the northern hemisphere along with young and promising blues artists of the future.

Icelandic Music Experiments

April Iceland’s version of Battle of the Bands, this grassroots music event has produced some of Iceland’s most popular musicians through the years, including the indie darlings Of Monsters and Men.

Reykjavík International Literary Festival

April 19-23 International novelists, poets, and all types of writers gather in Reykjavík every two years for a stimulating literary festival that celebrates not only Iceland’s rich literary heritage but also the most exciting contemporary literature produced from all over the world.

Iceland Writers Retreat

April This retreat features small workshops and panels by renowned authors, focusing on the art and craft of writing. First Day of Summer

April 25 This optimistic summer celebration (set in April) is celebrated with parades, family events and smiles all around, regardless of whether it snows or not.

Children’s Culture Festival

April Children’s culture, culture for children and culture with children. These are the three main aspects of this festival. The festival features plenty of events aimed at children up to 16 years of age.

Reykjavík Horse Festival

May The Reykjavík Horse Festival is the city’s celebration of the unique Icelandic horse, bred in isolation for a millennium. The focus is on the Icelandic horse and its unique features.

Art without Borders

May The festival celebrates the diversity and participation of people with disabilities. The festival crosses over mixed media of art, music and theatre.

Heima Music Festival

April A music festival held in private homes centrally located in Hafnarfjörður. Guests stroll from house to house to enjoy live music and meet up with locals at their own homes. The aim of Bright Days is to provide entertainment for locals and visitors and to promote Hafnarfjörður arts and artists. The varied programme offers something for everyone.

Raflost

May The festival’s main aim is to boost grassroots Icelandic electronic arts by introducing the youngest generation and the general public to the past, present and future of electronic arts. It aims to present the newest in electronic art technology, creation and performance, and therefore be an inspiration for further creativity.