Reykjavík - Events

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Reykjavík

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Overview

Events The guide was updated: 2025-06-18

Lovers of arts and culture are in for a real treat in Reykjavík. From the Icelandic sagas to contemporary art, Reykjavík has a buzzing cultural scene. A constant flow of innovative musical happenings, theatrical performances and cultural events keeps locals and visitors entertained all year round.

English is taught as a second language from an early age in Iceland, and pretty much every Icelander is a fluent English speaker. You'll find it easy to make new connections since the language barrier is virtually nonexistent.

Iceland National Day — June 17th

Iceland National Day — June 17th

The celebrations for the Iceland National Day take place all over the capital area. The programme includes family-oriented entertainment, concerts, outdoor play sets, variety shows and street happenings.

Iceland Airwaves

Iceland Airwaves

The festival is regarded as the biggest celebration of music in Iceland and boasts an unrivalled line-up of established and up-and-coming artists.

Reykjavik International Film Festival (RIFF)

Reykjavik International Film Festival (RIFF)

A major independent film event designed to enrich local cinema culture with international ground-breaking films, and to present Icelandic film making to a larger audience. By the way, have you ever watched a film from a pool? This is your chance!

Food & Fun

Food & Fun

Every year, world-renowned chefs collaborate with Reykjavík’s finest restaurants where they compete to create a three-course meal using exclusively Icelandic ingredients.

Reykjavik Pride

Reykjavik Pride

This colourful event brings tens of thousands of people into the city centre to show solidarity and have fun with the LGBT community in Reykjavík.

Reykjavik Culture Night

Reykjavik Culture Night

Each year thousands of residents and visitors share a delightful day of fun, food and festivities, all topped-off with a sensational evening of music and fireworks.

Winter Lights Festival

Winter Lights Festival

The festival celebrates both the winter world and the growing light after a long period of darkness. The programme is a mixture of art and industry, environment and history, sports and culture.

Design March

Design March

Iceland's most important annual design festival, covering all fields of design: architecture, graphic design, fashion, furniture and product design.

Children’s Cultural Festival

Children’s Cultural Festival

One of the largest festivals held by the City of Reykjavík, with around 150 free events for children. The festival places emphasis on participation, focusing particularly on the child as an artist.

Festival of the Sea

Festival of the Sea

The Festival of the Sea honours the sea and fishery in Iceland, with a diverse programme of events from Saturday morning until Sunday afternoon.

Hafnarfjörður Viking Festival

Hafnarfjörður Viking Festival

The oldest and largest event of its kind in Iceland. Hafnarfjörður has been a playground for Vikings demonstrating through the years most aspects of Viking culture.

Secret Solstice

Secret Solstice

An Icelandic music festival showcasing both established artists and exciting up-and-coming talent over three days in the 24-hour midnight sun of the summer solstice.

Reykjavík Marathon

Reykjavík Marathon

The race consists of six different distances, enabling people of all age groups and fitness levels to find a suitable run for them. Register early, the entry fee will increase as it comes closer to the race.

Illumination of the Imagine Peace Tower on Viðey Island

Illumination of the Imagine Peace Tower on Viðey Island

Every year Yoko Ono invites guests on a complimentary ferry trip to the island to take part in a beautiful illumination ceremony on John Lennon's Birthday. Imagine Peace Tower is lit annually: • 9th October – 8th December • 21st – 31st December • 18th February • 20th – 27 March

Lighting of the Oslo Christmas Tree

Lighting of the Oslo Christmas Tree

For decades, the lighting of the Oslo Christmas Tree has marked the beginning of our Christmas preparations and has become an important tradition for Icelanders.

Advent Festival

Advent Festival

A Christmas season with displays of enchanting Northern Lights, thirteen Santa Clauses (Yule Lads), Christmas markets, and culture-inspired events and activities, including concerts at Hallgrímskirkja.

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