Top Annual Events in Iceland

Looking for the top annual events in Iceland? Wondering when these fantastic happenings take place? We’ve compiled a list of the most exciting events throughout the year, starting from January to December, to provide you with an overview of what to expect during your visit.

Þorrablót

In January or February, Icelanders partake in the ‘Þorrablót’ festival, a traditional midwinter celebration rooted in Icelandic history. During this time, friends and family gather in a cozy setting to indulge in the national delicacies, some of which may not be for the faint of heart.

Historical manuscripts suggest that the feast of ‘blót’ has ancient origins, although the exact customs of the festivities remain somewhat shrouded in mystery. Nevertheless, accounts indicate a festive gathering with an abundance of food and drink.

Back in the day, Icelanders preserved their food through salting, smoking, burying, or fermenting, leading to the consumption of unique ‘delicacies’ during modern-day Þorrablót celebrations. Popular dishes include sour ram testicles, boiled sheep-heads, and the infamous fermented shark. Welcome To Iceland introduces visitors to this intriguing culinary tradition.

Icelandic Traditional Foods and Brennivín

To indulge in these authentic Icelandic dishes is a testament to the country’s cultural robustness. Nevertheless, even the most daring may opt for a shot of Brennivín (Icelandic schnapps) to cleanse their palate.

The Food and Fun Festival

In February or March, a yearly event offers the perfect opportunity to savor exquisite dishes—the Food and Fun Festival. Renowned chefs from around the globe gather in Reykjavík to collaborate with the city’s top restaurants, creating innovative culinary experiences for eager attendees.

Each chef partners with a local restaurant to design a menu highlighting Icelandic ingredients and drawing inspiration from their diverse culinary backgrounds.

Reykjavík Food and Fun Festival

The Reykjavík Food and Fun festival showcases unique fusions of foreign talent with local ingredients. One of the highlights of the event is a competition held on the final day, where chefs compete by preparing three-course meals. After the competition, the city comes alive with a vibrant celebration.

For those who appreciate fine dining and love to explore new flavors, the Food and Fun Festival in Reykjavík is a must-attend event.

The Reykjavik Art Festival

From May 18th to June 3rd, the capital of Iceland, Reykjavik, welcomes the Reykjavik Art Festival. Established in 1970, this event celebrates various art forms such as music, visual arts, dance, literature, and design, with a particular emphasis on innovation.

Over its history, the festival has showcased numerous renowned artists including Vladimir Ashkenazy, Led Zeppelin, Nina Simone, Andy Warhol, Bob Dylan, and many others. This diverse lineup attracts art enthusiasts of all kinds to partake in the cultural offerings present during the festival.

Independence Day in Iceland
Icelanders held a referendum from May 20th to 23rd in 1944 and voted decisively to establish their independence as a sovereign nation. The country celebrates Independence Day on June 17th, the birthday of the leader of the independence movement, Jón Sigurðsson.

Independence Day festivities typically feature parades across Iceland, with horses and a grand brass band leading the way. Various speeches are delivered in public spaces, often including one by Fjallkonan, a mythical representation of Iceland known as the Woman of the Mountain.

Welcome To Iceland Celebrations

Events all over Iceland offer a mix of music, culinary delights, and an atmosphere of joy. As the night falls, the sky lights up with colorful fireworks, setting the stage for lively celebrations.

Summer Solstice in Iceland

June 21st marks the summer solstice in Iceland, a day when locals and tourists come together to celebrate the longest day of the year following ancient traditions. The uniqueness of this event in Iceland lies in the phenomenon of the midnight sun, where the sun remains visible throughout the night. The period surrounding the summer solstice is characterized by the midnight sun, lasting for about a week before and after June 21st, with the sky illuminated from May to August.

During this time, people gather around bonfires, partake in fascinating guided walks, and individuals adhering to the Old Norse Faith (Ásatrúarfélagið) celebrate one of their main festivals at Þingvellir National Park.

The Secret Solstice music festival takes place over a long weekend at Laugardalur Park in Reykjavík, right in the heart of the city. The festival has seen performances by renowned artists such as Radiohead, Foo Fighters, Massive Attack, Chaka Khan, and Die Antwort.

Viking Festival in Hafnarfjörður

Another popular event is the Viking Festival in Hafnarfjörður, which showcases Viking-style costumes, music, jewelry, crafts, and sword fighting demonstrations by professional Vikings. Visitors also have the opportunity to dine at the Viking-themed restaurant Fjörukráin.

Celebrating Summer Solstice in Iceland

Embracing the Old Norse traditions, Icelanders have a unique way of celebrating the summer solstice – by rolling naked in the morning dew. For an authentic experience, mark your calendars for June 24th, as early Icelanders observed this tradition three days later than the actual solstice.

Top Midnight Sun Tours

The Folk Festival in North Iceland

In early July, the fishing town of Siglufjörður hosts its annual Folk Festival, showcasing Icelandic culture to visitors and introducing foreign culture to locals. Despite Iceland’s small size, cultural events like this festival prove that Reykjavík is not the only hub for cultural experiences.

Aside from concerts, the festival also offers courses and lectures covering various musical styles and traditional Icelandic art forms like handicrafts, making it a diverse cultural experience for attendees.

Music Festivals in Iceland

There are numerous fantastic outdoor and indoor music festivals in Iceland. While it’s impossible to list them all here, one of the most renowned is the outdoor festival called Þjóðhátíð í Eyjum, which takes place annually in the Westman Islands during the first weekend of August.

Travelers from around the globe flock to this event to enjoy camping and festivities. The festival is known for its group-singing traditions and showcases many popular local bands. It kicks off on Thursday with the ‘pick-up ball’ event, where people meet, continues with a bonfire on Friday night, and concludes with a spectacular firework display on Saturday.

During the weekend, other notable music festivals in Iceland include Innipúkinn in Reykjavík, which showcases both local and foreign bands, and Neistaflug in Neskaupstaður.

Aldrei fór ég suður in Ísafjörður in April, Eistnaflug in Neskaupstadur in July, and Sónar in Reykjavík in February are also must-visit music festivals in Iceland.

Reykjavík Pride

LGBTQ+ rights in Iceland have made significant progress in the last forty years, championed by organizations like Samtökin ’78.

Today, Iceland stands out as a leader in LGBTQ+ rights globally, being the first country to elect an openly gay prime minister in 2009 and passing marriage equality legislation unanimously in 2010. Furthermore, the country allows same-gender adoption and permits legal gender changes for trans individuals.

Reykjavík Pride, held in August, honors these rights and celebrates queer culture. This vibrant event attracts a diverse crowd, from children to the elderly, with tens of thousands gathering in the city center to participate.

Enjoyable Nights Out in Iceland

It is anticipated that the evenings in Iceland will offer some of the most enjoyable experiences throughout the year.

Culture Night in Iceland

Menningarnótt, known as Culture Night, is a significant event in Iceland’s calendar, taking place in mid-August. The city comes alive with cultural celebrations in parks, galleries, bars, and streets, where thousands of people participate, collaborate, and perform, while many others come to enjoy the festivities.

Whether you enjoy theatre, music, art, cabaret, or other performances, this festival combines them all into a vibrant day of cultural immersion. Visitors to Iceland during the summer months, seeking to experience the midnight sun and natural beauty, should set aside the evening to immerse themselves in the cultural richness of Culture Night.

Following the festivities, Icelandic tradition calls for a wild night out to cap off the celebrations.

The Reykjavík Literary Festival

In September, Welcome to Iceland organizes the Literary festival in Reykjavík, showcasing Icelandic and international authors. This event features free seminars, interviews held in English at various locations across the city, along with readings by renowned authors, making it a prominent literary celebration in Europe.

Enthusiastic readers and aspiring writers can enjoy a range of activities and even the chance to meet their literary idols. Past editions of the festival have attracted notable figures such as Margaret Atwood, David Sedaris, Günter Grass, Hanif Kureishi, and Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o.

The Reykjavík International Film Festival

Reykjavik International Film Festival, also known as RIFF, occurs annually in late September over eleven days, firmly establishing itself globally. Featuring a diverse selection of fiction and non-fiction films from more than 40 countries, the event showcases works that challenge the norm, emphasizing independent filmmaking over mainstream blockbusters.

The festival includes screenings held throughout the city, industry interviews, seminars, and networking opportunities for aspiring filmmakers. In addition to film-related events, attendees can enjoy concerts, exhibitions, and performances, creating a vibrant and celebratory atmosphere.

Iceland Airwaves

During October, Iceland hosts its biggest music showcase known as the Iceland Airwaves festival. Widely praised by music critics, it has been described by Rolling Stone magazine as ‘the hippest long weekend on the annual music-festival calendar’, attracting increasing international interest each year.

The festival features events both ‘On Venue’ and ‘Off Venue’, with the former being exclusive to Airwaves ticket holders in select venues like Harpa and Gaukurinn. These venues have limited entry throughout the weekend, while ‘Off Venue’ events take place in various locations such as bars, clubs, cafés, restaurants, record shops, streets, and even private homes.

Iceland Airwaves has seen performances by renowned international artists like Florence and the Machine, Mumford and Sons, and Flaming Lips, as well as acclaimed Icelandic musicians such as Björk, Sigur Rós, FM Belfast, and Of Monsters and Men. The festival also showcases top DJs from around the world.

Christmas in Iceland

Jól/Yule has been traditionally observed as the period when daylight increases following the shortest and darkest day, typically on December 21st according to the Christian calendar.

In the year 1000, following Iceland’s conversion to Christianity, yule festivities were adapted to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ.

Irrespective of religious beliefs, Icelanders typically use this time to exchange gifts, gather with family and friends, and celebrate themes of peace and goodwill.

For a festive experience in Reykjavík, it is recommended to stroll along the main street, Laugavegur, on Þorláksmessa, which falls on December 23rd. The street buzzes with activity, offering a warm and welcoming atmosphere (provided you’re not too frazzled by your last-minute shopping), with solo performers, brass bands, and carol singers contributing to the festive ambiance.

Celebrating Christmas in Iceland

In Reykjavík, Akureyri, and Ísafjörður, locals gather to light candles, sing carols, and march for peace at 6 pm. The walk in Reykjavík starts at Hlemmur and continues down Laugavegur.

During Þorláksmessa, many Icelanders partake in the unique tradition of eating buried, fermented skate.

Icelandic Christmas Folklore

Christmas in Iceland is steeped in local folklore, featuring creatures like the Yule Cat, said to devour children who do not receive new clothes for the holidays, and the troll woman Grýla, known for eating misbehaving children. Grýla’s offspring, the jólasveinar (Yule-lads), were known for pulling pranks on farmers and causing mischief on the farmland.

Icelandic Christmas Tradition

Traditionally, Icelandic Christmas traditions involved tricksters and trolls, but over time, these traditions have evolved to include a mix of Santa Claus from the American version. While Christmas tricksters and trolls are not exclusive to Iceland, the country stands out for its unique tradition of having thirteen troll Santas.

Celebrating New Year’s Eve in Iceland

On New Year’s Eve, Icelanders come together for a family dinner followed by festivities with friends that last until the early morning hours.

At around 10 pm, most people tune in to Áramótaskaupið, a satirical comedy show recapping the year’s events, sparking discussions throughout the night.

As the clock strikes midnight, the sky in Iceland lights up with fireworks as almost every household participates in this tradition, creating a spectacular sight.

Bonfires dot the landscape, providing warmth and a gathering place for locals and neighbors before the night’s celebrations commence.

Similar to Christmas, New Year’s Eve in Iceland is steeped in folklore, where tales of cows speaking, seals transforming into humans, the dead awakening, and Elves relocating add to the festive spirit.