EVENTS IN REYKJAVIK

There are many events taking place throughout the year in Iceland - why not come and experience some of the most traditional events of the calendar or an event that sparks a special interest! You can find detailed information about events at Visit Reykjavik.

January

Thorinn - End of January

Midwinter visitors to Iceland can hardly fail to notice the ancient Viking feast of Thorrablot, now a popular feature at many restaurants. In January and February, wander into any town or village and you will be invited to join the locals in sampling some of their more unusual culinary delicacies. An iron stomach and a strong constitution are useful - the feast usually involves of a lot of meat, but you won't be offered a nice slice of rump steak. Instead you'll be faced with the animal's head, complete with eyes to be plucked out and savoured, while the testicles are pleasantly pickled for your enjoyment.

Dark Music Days

The Icelandic Music Festival has been held annually in Reykjavik since its foundation in 1980. It plays an important role in the Icelandic music scene. For more information, visit Dark Music Days.

February

Food and Fun

World famous chefs from all other world come to Reykjavik to this culinary festival, to offer a specific menue in cooperation with Reykjavik´s best restaurants for one week. In this menue, only fresh and natural Icelandic ingredients are allowed and used. On the last day of the festival the chefs enter a competition, in which they have to produce three different dishes which only involve fresh Icelandic products. An event which you shouldn´t miss! Reserving a table is highly recommended. For more information visit Food and Fun Festival.

Winter Lights Festival

The festival is held annually and celebrates both winter and the brightening days after the long period of darkness. The programme consists of light installations throughout the city, as well as cultural and outdoor activities. 

Winter lights Festival ©Visit Reykjavik

March

The Annual Beer Festival - 1st of March

In the years 1915-1989, alcohol was banned in Iceland. When the ban was lifted after 74 years, Icelanders celebrated extensively. Since then, the festival has been celebrated every year on 1 March as "Beer day". Since 2012, it has even been a four-day festival. 
At the festival, you have the opportunity to taste different types of beer and meet the brewers.

Designmarch

Iceland's largest design festival usually takes place in March, but can also take place earlier or later. Various designs and innovations are exhibited and presented by different participants.

May

Stockfish Film Festival

The Stockfish Film Festival is a celebration of the Icelandic film industry. It was founded in 2015 as the successor to the Reykjavik Film Festival. It aims to give the Icelandic and international film community an opportunity to collaborate and the audience a chance to experience new films in a very special environment. 

Harpa Concert Hall

June

Reykjavik Arts Festival

First held in 1970, the Reykjavik Arts Festival celebrates the arts with a vibrant mix of national and international performances throughout the island. This season, the festival offers a wide variety of events, please consult the festival's website for more information.

Festival of the Sea

All the fishermen of Iceland - and there are lots of them - take this first Sunday in June off as a holiday. Officially known as Sjomannadagur (Seafarers' Day), it's a time for rowdy parties, parades and speeches. The fishermen compete in swimming and rowing races and other tests of strength including the ever-popular tug-of-war. In Reykjavik the fun is all part of a Festival of the Sea weekend.

National Day - 17th of June

Crowds flock onto the streets throughout Iceland on 17 June every year to commemorate the birthday of national hero Jón Sigurdsson (1811-1879). The day tends to start off on a solemn and patriotic note, but by the afternoon the mood changes and it's time to party! Everyone takes the day off to be entertained by street performances, theatre and fire-eaters and to enjoy the real festival atmosphere.

Midsummer - 21st of June

Visitors are welcomed by Icelanders as they gather around Reykjavik and across the country to celebrate the magic of the midnight sun on the longest day of the year. The solstice is the apex of a long month of endless sunshine, during which the sun remains constantly in the sky, never setting. Unlike some other Scandinavian countries, formally organised events are rare, but visitors will find plenty of family get togethers with bonfires, feasting and parties.

Arctic Open

A game of midnight golf seems an unlikely prospect to many enthusiasts and few golfers have experienced this delight. But now you have a novel opportunity to participate in an event which features round-the-clock golf in midsummer at high latitudes. The Akureyri Golf Club hosts this tournament which is known as The Arctic Open Golf Championship.

august

Reykjavik Pride

The second week in August is the focal point for Iceland's biggest LGBTQ pride celebration, with parties, parades and theatre shows throughout the capital of Reykjavik. The Icelandic LGBTQ community is small and centres on its capital. As a result it is intimate and friendly, but welcomes input from abroad. Hotels are usually fully booked around the celebrations, so make yout bookings well in advance.

Reykjavik Marathon and Culture Night

The Reykjavik Culture Night has become an essential part of the city's cultural scene. Usually held in August when the midnight sun still keeping things light for almost 24 hours, Reykjavikites fill the streets to celebrate Iceland's vibrant culture.

The marathon livens up the streets of downtown Reykjavik every August and hundreds of visitors from around the world take part alongside thousands of locals. For many, the famously fresh air is a welcome change from the pollution of the big city streets abroad.

Started in 1984 by two travel agents wanting to encourage visitors to discover Iceland, there were 214 participants in the first run. Two decades on and, since since the late 1990s tied to the annual - and popular - Reykjavik Culture Night - the marathon attracts over 3,500 runners in all events, including around 500 from abroad.

Reykjavik Pride 2022 ©Visit Reykjavik

September

RIFF - Reykjavik Inernational Film Festival

The film festival takes place every year in late September and mainly shows films by new and unknown filmmakers from over 40 countries. There are also photo exhibitions, concerts and many other events during the festival. More information about the Reykjavik International Film Festival.
 

Reykjavik Jazz Festival

The festival for jazz lovers starts with the opening ceremony in the City Hall in Reykjavik. There are many events around the theme of jazz in the capital.

 

October

Imagin Peace Tower

The Imagine Peace Tower is an art project created by Yoko Ono in memory of John Lennon. The installation is located on Viðes Island in Reykjavik. The tower is lit from one hour after sunset until midnight on the following dates each year: 

  • 9th October - 8th December
  • 21st - 31st December
  • 18th February
  • 20th - 27th March

 

 

Imagine Peace Tower

November

Iceland Airwaves

The amazing multi-venue city festival will takes place in Reykjavik in the beginning of November. Dubbed “the hippest long weekend on the annual music festival calendar” by David Fricke of Rolling Stone, Airwaves celebrates music, featuring cutting edge acts in one of the most unique settings on earth, the eclectic and intimate venues throughout Reykjavik’s charming city centre. Airwaves will continue to attract a large crowd from the UK and is not to be missed by any music enthusiast. Tickets can be purchased on Tix.