festivals

Reykjavík City is a hotbed of activity all year round with a remarkable number of annual

festivals and seasonal events attracting countless festivalgoers and media attention

from around the world.

Apart from the city’s superb official events, such as the Winter Lights Festival and

Culture Night, there’s also a diversity of critically acclaimed art festivals, film festivals,

design events, fabulous fan-fests and music festivals, celebrating everything from the

arrival of summer, to the city’s wealth of fascinating culture.

Be it art, music, theatre or sport, there’s always a hip or wholesome event happening in town!

For more information on festivals or venues in Reykjavík check www.visitreykjavik.is

It’s all happening in Reykjavík City - the world’s most northerly capital!

#reykjavikloves

festivals

www.darkmusicdays.is

The Dark Music Days festival is one

of the highlights of the winter season

and an increasingly popular event on

the Icelandic festival calendar. Hosted

by the Society of Icelandic Composers

in collaboration with Iceland’s finest

performers, the festival showcases the

best contemporary music Iceland has

to offer.

Be captivated by new Icelandic compositions at the Dark Music Days festival!

Dark Music Days

Late January 2015 heralds the start of

the 4th annual Rainbow Reykjavik LGBT

Winter Festival in Reykjavik. The program

offers a mixture of nature, activities,

culture, cuisine, music & nightlife.

Rainbow Reykjavik - colourful, cool & charismatic!

www.rainbowreykjavik.com

Rainbow Reykjavík

JAN

FEB

www.rig.is

The Reykjavik International Games, invites athletes from all over the world to participate

in a variety of different sporting events and competitions in Reykjavík’s superb Valley of

Sports in Laugardalur.

Catch a healthy dose of sports fever at the next Reykjavík International Games

JAN

www.vetrarhatid.is

Winter Lights FestivalThe Winter Lights Festival is an annual celebration of light and culture, with a special

emphasis on illuminating those long days of darkness with a collection of sparkling

and visually stunning events. The entire city radiates with life, light and energy during

this spectacular festival, which each year features a number of sensational new light-

art installations.

Be amazed by the dramatic interplay of darkness and light at the next Winter Lights Festival!

Reykjavík International Games

Sónar Music FestivalSónar Reykjavík is intimate. The festival portrays how a prestige brand can redefine itself

in smaller locations and venues. The concert house, Harpa, and the joy of music are a stark

contrast against the Icelandic winter and the arctic darkness outside. Major Lazer, James

Blake, Jon Hopkins, Ryuichi Sakamoto, GusGus, Ásgeir and Ólafur Arnalds are just a few

of those who have have performed at Sónar Reykjavík so far - where you’ll find established

& up and coming talent from Iceland’s vibrant music scene take stage amongst the

international headliners.

Do not miss over 60 bands, solo artist and DJs take stage at one of Europe’s most unique concert venues.

www.sonarreykjavik.com

FEB

www.bioparadis.is

Iceland’s professional filmmakers’ associations are pleased to introduce Stockfish –

Reykjavík World Cinema Festival. A wide array of the most prominent, award-winning

films from around the globe will be introduced to Icelandic audiences, and a special

focus will be given to contemporary Icelandic cinema. Stockfish is the main platform

where the domestic and international film communities come together, fostering a

co-operation and collaboration between all key institutions within the Icelandic film

industry.

“Our aim is offer opportunities to connect with the creative community in Iceland, which has been quite successful internationally for years now. By bringing high quality films and guests to the festival, we can create an international dialog and a strong platform in Reykjavik for such exchanges.” – Friðrik Þór Friðriksson, filmmaker.

Stockfish

FEB

DesignMarch is Iceland’s most significant annual design festival. From fashion to furniture,

architecture to food design, the festival showcases the best in Icelandic design, alongside

some exciting international names too. For four days, Reykjavík is transformed into a venue

for numerous shows, talks, exhibitions and other events. 

Discover Iceland’s innovative design scene at the DesignMarch event!

www.designmarch.is

DesignMarch

HOMA 176

2014

MAR

www.foodandfun.is

With extraordinary culinary talent, a selection of quality Icelandic ingredients combined with

countless adventures in the great outdoors and the chance to experience Reykjavík’s world

famous nightlife, the Food and Fun festival mixes a variety of exciting elements to create the

ultimate recipe for fun. The essential component of the festival involves world-renowned

chefs collaborating with Reykjavik’s finest restaurants, and as an extra serving of food and

fun, chefs compete to create a three-course meal using Icelandic ingredients exclusively.

Get your fill of great food and fantastic fun at the next Food & Fun Festival!

Food & Fun

FEB MAR

The Icelandic Music Experiments festival

has been the main musical outlet for new

bands in Iceland since 1982. The festival

takes place over five nights, with four

semi-final events followed by a grand

finale. Throughout the years, I.M.E. has

proven to be a milestone event for many

promising new bands in Iceland.

See the best new bands battle it out at the Icelandic Music Experiments!

The Reykjavík Folk Festival is a three-day

musical feast celebrating the diversity

and breadth of the Icelandic folk music

scene. The festival showcases artists

of all ages, where you can listen to the

spellbinding musical outpourings of con-

temporary bands and also be transport-

ed back in time to listen to the wonderful

soundtrack of times gone by.

Listen to spellbinding musical tales of woe and wonder at the Reykjavík Folk Music Festival!

The Icelandic Music Experiments

www.musiktilraunir.iswww.folkfestival.is

Reykjavík Folk Music Festival

MAR APR

www.rff.is

The Reykjavík Fashion Festival is a four-day extravaganza of Icelandic fashion design, with

impressive seasonal collections, introduced by Iceland’s most prominent, provocative and

skilled designers. The new home of the festival is Harpa - the award winning music hall and

conference centre in the heart of Reykjavík City.

Step into our creative scene and be a part of Iceland’s biggest fashion event!

Reykjavík Fashion Festival

MAR

The annual Tectonics Reykjavík

Festival is cutting edge when it comes

to new music. It is presented by the

Iceland Symphony Orchestra and

curated by conductor Ilan Volkov at

Harpa Concert Hall. The festival brings

together local and international artists

and features programs with diverse

new music as well as explorations

of improvisation, interdisciplinary

collaboration and experimental

performance. The festival, which is also

held in Glasgow and Adelaide, takes

over four halls in Harpa and invades

many of the informal public spaces of

the state-of-the-art concert hall.

Give your senses a pleasant surprise by sampling the amazing breadth of new and exciting music.

The Reykjavík Blues Festival gives

young and promising blues artists the

chance to perform with legends from

both sides of the Atlantic in some of

the most unique jam sessions in the

Northern Hemisphere.

Let those emotive blue tones of music move you at the Reykjavík Blues Festival!

www.tectonicsfestival.comwww.blues.is

Tectonics Reykjavík Festival

Reykjavík Blues Festival

APR

www.shortsdocsfest.com

Voted by readers of Movie Maker

Magazine as one of Top Five Coolest

Short Film Festivals in the World

2013, Reyjavík Shorts&Docs Festival

is Iceland’s main film festival devoted

to short features and documentaries.

The festival allows guests to get

acquainted with a range of exceptional

documentaries and short films. See you

at the Reykjavík Shorts&Docs Festival

3.–9.th April 2014 in Bíó Paradís.

See you at the Reykjavík Shorts&Docs Festival at Bíó Paradís!

Reykjavík Shorts&Docs

www.listin.is

Art Without Borders is one of the biggest

outsider art festivals in Europe and is

held annually around the country. It

celebrates diversity and promotes the

art of those with disabilities. The festival

emphasizes on the breaking down of

barriers between different people, by

facilitating cooperation amongst artists

with different backgrounds. 

See the power of art in action at the Art Without Borders Festival!

Art Without Borders

APR

EVE Fanfest is an exciting annual weekend event inviting countless fans from across the

world to celebrate and share their passion for EVE - the largest science fiction multiplayer

online game in the world.

Taking place in Reykjavík’s award winning concert hall, Harpa, the event offers fans

the opportunity to meet each other in the real world and take part in some fantastic

tournaments, attend keynote speeches, parties, round tables, concerts and multiple thrilling

reveals. Created by CCP Games in Reykjavík, EVE is a game of discovery and adventure, set

in an epic virtual universe 35,000 years in the future.

Join countless Capsuleers at the top of the world, for a weekend of real-life fun and adventure!

fanfest.eveonline.com

EVE Fanfest

APR

www.barnamenningarhatid.is

Children’s culture, culture for children and culture with children. These are the three main

aspects of Reykjavík Children’s Culture Festival, taking place around the first day of summer.

During this week-long celebration schools, kindergartens, music and art schools, libraries,

museums, theatres and other cultural institutions open their doors and offer various exciting

programmes of glittering events, performances, concerts and exhibitions, all free of charge

for children and their families.

The festival also places an emphasizes on participation, focusing on the child as the artist

taking part in theatre workshops, circus, visual arts, storytelling, music, film, puppetry,

creative sustainability, dance activities and more.

Be inspired by the imaginative power of youth and marvel at their vibrant creations!

Children‘s Culture Festival

APR

Reykjavík Arts Festival is an international, multi-disciplinary festival with a special focus

on new commissions and the creative intersection of the arts. For two weeks every year

it presents performances and exhibitions of contemporary and classical works to the

widest possible audience in major cultural venues and unconventional space throughout

the city. Since its inception in 1970, Reykjavík Arts Festival has invited artists from all

parts of the globe to perform and exhibit their work at the festival, becoming a catalyst

for the creation of new works and a major force in the development of cultural diversity

in Iceland.

The festival takes place in late May and early June each year.

Reykjavík Arts Festival

www.artfest.is

MAY JUN

The RAFLOST Festival of Electronic Arts provides an annual boost to the grassroots of

both Icelandic and foreign electronic arts. It also introduces the past, present and future

of electronica.

The RAFLOST festival is aims to stimulate the Reykjavik electronic art scene, students of

the Art Academy, the DIY computer and electronics hacker community and experimental

organisations like S.L.Á.T.U.R. and LornaLab. Also, international artists and students

have participated in the festival from the beginning, creating a valuable link for global/

local developments.

The festival is dedicated to those using electricity and electronic equipment in their artistic creations, regardless of style or genre.

www.raflost.is

Festival of Electronic Arts

MAY

Since 1944, the National Day of Iceland has been celebrated annually on June 17th 

to commemorate Iceland’s declaration of independence from Denmark and the

formation of the Republic of Iceland. This date became the official holiday because it’s

the birthday of Jon Sigurdsson, Iceland’s prominent leader in the historical Icelandic

Independence Movement.

The National Day celebrations are an outdoor festival in the city centre. The programme

starts in the morning with the Icelandic government´s National Day ceremony but in

the afternoon and evening there is family oriented entertainment, parades, concerts,

outdoor play sets, variety shows and street happenings.

Celebrate the spirit and nature of Iceland at the National Day festivities on June 17th!

www.17juni.is

17th of June – National Day

JUN

www.hatidhafsins.is

The Festival of the Sea is an important celebration of Icelandic cultural heritage and serves

as an annual reminder of how integral the fishing industry is to the history, economy and

people of Iceland. Offering lots of fun for the whole family, the festival invites everyone to

join in and take part in a diverse and entertaining programme of events down at Reykjavík’s

West Harbour in Grandagarður.

Get an insight into Iceland’s maritime past at the Festival of the Sea!

Festival of the Sea

JUN

Secret Solstice is an Icelandic music festival that‘s being held for the first time on the 20th-

22nd of June 2014. The festival features over a hundred artists both local and international

from a various array of genres. It showcases both established artists as well as exciting

up-and-coming talent over the course of three days in the 24 hour midnight sun during the

summer solstice.

Among the artist playing are the legendary Bristol trip hop duo Massive Attack and French indie star Woodkid. On top of the already impressive lineup there are more artists to be announced so stay tuned!”

www.secretsolstice.is

Secret Solstice

JUN

During this festival, countless modern day Vikings from different nations get together

with hoards of Icelandic Vikings for a weekend of merrymaking, traditional crafts and

staged Viking battles. Since 1995 the Viking Village in Hafnarfjörður (a beautiful district

of Reykjavík) has been the annual playground of this festival, which celebrates various

aspects of Viking culture.

Join in the Viking fun and celebrate our fascinating cultural heritage!

www.fjorukrain.is/en

Viking Festival

JUN

www.visitreykjavik.is/ingolfshatid-viking-festival

For three days in July Reykjavík’s Hljómskálagarður Park is impressively transformed

from modern to medieval as the Einherjar Vikings of Reykjavík host, in great spirit and

authenticity, the new annual Ingólfshátið Viking Festival.

Join Vikings from all over the world to enjoy a weekend of wonderful festivities and to celebrate the fascinating cultural heritage of the Vikings!

Ingólfshátíð Viking Festival

JUL

The Reykjavik Bacon Festival is held

annually in the heart of Reykjavík City

in cooperation the Blue Ribbon Bacon

Festival in Des Moines, Iowa – the

hosts of the biggest bacon fest in the

world. On this tasty day, fans of bacon

are invited to follow their noses to

Skólavörðustígur High Street (home of

the Reykjavík Bacon Festival) and

sample a wide variety of bacon and

bacon inspired treats.

Join a small army of Icelandic pork fans and sample a feast of delightful bacon treats!

www.reykjavikbeikonfestival.is

The Reykjavík Bacon Festival

The annual Reykjavik Jazz Festival is fast

becoming one of the most prestigious

events on the international jazz scene.

The festival hosts performances in a

variety of styles including contemporary,

traditional, and the avant-garde,

and features a number of acclaimed

international artists as well as the best

from Iceland’s pool of jazz talent.

Get all jazzed up at the next Reykjavík Jazz Festival!

www.reykjavikjazz.is

Reykjavík Jazz Festival

AUG

www.menningarnott.is

Culture Night is a spectacular annual event on the city calendar and marks the start of the

cultural year, when museums, theatres and other cultural institutions launch their annual

programme of events. Each year thousands of residents and guests share in a delightful day

of fun, food and festivities, all topped-off with a sensational evening of music and fireworks.

Experience an exciting variety Icelandic arts and culture on Reykjavík Culture Night!

Reykjavík Culture Night

AUG

This colourful event brings tens of thousands of people into the city centre to show solidarity

and have fun with the gay community in Reykjavík. People of all genders: friends, relatives,

and a fast growing number of tourists, all come together, to celebrate and support universal

human rights. The event, takes place annually in early August, is and features a number of

spectacular events, ranging from concerts, dances and exhibitions, all of which culminate

at the great Pride Parade - the festival’s crowning event.

Enjoy a sensational day out in Reykjavík at the largest-small-Pride in the world!

www.reykjavikpride.com

Reykjavík Pride

AUG

A major independent film event designed to enrich local cinema culture with international

ground-breaking films, and to present Icelandic filmmaking to a larger audience. Now in its

11th edition, RIFF is one the highest attended festivals in the country, a showcase for new

talent and the home of the Golden Puffin.

“My experience was fantastic. I am very happy to have had this experience and to have met so many cool people interested in films, music, literature, elves, and the many mysteries of human nature. Thank you!” - Jim Jarmusch

www.riff.is

Reykjavík Int’l Film Festival

SEP

www.lokal.is

The festival presents quirky, stripped-

down, edgy performances complimented

with storytelling and the use of both out-of-

date and state-of-the-art technology. With

performances by up-and-coming theatre-

makers from Norway, Finland, Canada,

Belgium and Iceland, the festival introduces

cutting-edge drama to local audiences.

For further information on the programme and tickets, please visit the festival’s official website.

Lókal Int’l Theater Festival

Reykjavík Dance Festival is a staging

of new approaches to dance and choreo-

graphy, created with choreographers

from both here in Iceland and abroad.

RDF is a choreography of people, a

festival of dancing just as much as it

is a festival of spectating.

Dance. Make. Say. Think. Dance is what it does.

www.reykjavikdancefestival.is

Reykjavík Dance Festival

AUG SEP

Unglist - The Young Art Festival plays a

major role in expanding and boosting

various aspects of art and youth culture in

Iceland. The event combines a diversity

of activities including dance competitions,

music, drama, improvisation, fashion

exhibitions and uninhibited works of visual

art and poetry.

Bring your friends and family to experience the thriving diversity of youth art and culture!

The Moorland International Children’s

Literature Festival is one of the city’s

trademark events for children. Taking

place every other year in the Nordic

House and other locations in Reykjavik,

the festival events include readings,

workshops, seminars and art exhibitions

for both adults and children. All events

are free of charge.

The festival has a diverse audience ranging from children and families to scholars and academics.

www.unglist.iswww.myrin.is

The Young Art FestivalMoorland

OCT NOV

www.icelandairwaves.is

Iceland Airwaves is a critically acclaimed international music festival showcasing the hottest

new international bands and all the best up-and-coming Icelandic artists. The event started

out as a one-off gig in an airplane hangar back in 1999, with only five bands performing, but

has now established itself as one of the hippest events on the international music festival

calendar, attracting thousands of visitors from around the world.

Add this musical adventure of a lifetime to your bucket list!

Iceland Airwaves

NOV

Imagine Peace TowerYoko Ono’s Imagine Peace Tower is an extraordinary dedication to John Lennon and his

vision of world peace. Installed on Viðey Island on the 9th October 2007, this stunning work

of art is lit annually on John‘s birthday. The powerful super beam of light generated reaches

approximately 400 metres into the sky on a clear night and continues to illuminates the

skies above Reykjavík each night until the anniversary of John’s death on December 8th.

Every year Yoko invites guests on a complimentary ferry trip to the island to take part in the

beautiful illumination ceremony.

Share in an extraordinary moment of PEACE in Reykjavík City. Tours of the Tower and Viðey Island are available from October 9th- December 8th

www.imaginepeace.com

Our wonderful Christmas season, crowned regularly with displays of enchanting

Northern Lights, is one of city’s main winter attractions, but it’s not just those other

worldly illuminations and extravagant decorations getting all the attention. The fact that

Iceland has not one, but thirteen Santa Clauses (Yule Lads) is a little gem of cultural

knowledge that’s been celebrated and promoted as part of the Reykjavík Christmas

City initiative since the year 2010. In addition to the Christmas markets and various

traditional Christmas events, such as the annual lighting of the Oslo Christmas Tree and

the wonderful concerts, a number of beautiful locations across the city are transformed

every year into dedicated Advent areas, where the majority of culture-inspired events

and activities take place.

Come on over, be inspired and get all wrapped up in a magical Reykjavík Christmas!

christmas.visitreykjavik.is

December in Reykjavík

NOVDEC

OCT DEC

GarðabærAPRILGarðabær Jazz Festival A music festival for young people.

JUNEMidsummer Day Festival Garðabær A local association of visual arts exhibits visual art out-doors, along with musical performances and all kind of happenings.

NOVEMBERMidwinter Music Evening Garðabær A pop/jazz musical concert indoors at Garðatorg center in Garðabær and local artists exhibit visual art.

HafnarfjörðurAPRILBright Days Annual Art and Culture Festival.

JUNEViking Festival Annual festival with famous Viking market and festivities.

Annual Seamen‘s Day Annual festivities dedicated to Icelandic seamen.

DECEMBERChristmas Village A Christmas market in the heart of Hafnarfjordur.

KjósJULYJoy in Kjos A family festival where farmers offer guests to their home, history and cultural tours and more.

SEPTEMBERFood festival in Kjos Chefs conjure a delicious meal with ingredients straight from the farms in Kjos.

KópavogurMAYThe first day of summer A celebration of summer with a parade and various entertainment.

Children‘s Culture Festival A whole week of cultural events for children of all ages.

Kópavogur Culture Festival A week of diverse cultural events where guests can enjoy the harvest of the winter’s cultural work.

JUNEThe Kópavogur Jazz & Blues Festival A local music festival with international and Icelandic jazz & blues musicians performing.

NOVEMBERThe Kopavogur Crafts & Design Day Local galleries display crafts & design.

MosfellsbærJUNEMúsMos Mosfellsbær A music festival for young people.

AUGUSTÍ túninu heima Mosfellsbær A town festival with music, markets, art exhibitions and sport activites.

Can’t Find the Venue?Or do you need tips on what to explore in Reykjavik? Come visit us!

The Official Tourist Information Centre in Reykjavik. Visit Reykjavik, Adalstraeti 2, 101 Reykjavik.

For more information: www.visitreykjavik.is

the neighbourhood festivals

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