A comprehensive guide to the biggest annual events all across Iceland.

If there's one thing all Icelander have in common it's their deep, unconditional love for outdoor festivals. Our shared interest in grouping together at various places across the country has become rather appealing to foreign visitors who wish to experience these things in person as a local might.

This guide is a summary of all the major events and festivals held annually across the country, categorized into the months in which they take place. Let's start...

Quickly navigate to a month of your choosing

January

Dark Music Days

I know what you're thinking. Death metal? Not exactly. The name simply refers to the time in January when the typical Icelandic days are nearly completely shrouded in darkness. The lineup is actually more in tune with contemporary music from different backgrounds.

Founded in 1980, Dark Music Days is held these days in the Harpa Music & Conference Hall with one extra concert hosted in the Reykjavík Cathedral.

www.darkmusicdays.is

February

Reykjavík Winter Lights Festival

Another festival during the darkest days of the year, the Winter Lights Festival is a cultural event where on Friday around 40 museums in the Capital Area of Reykjavík open their doors free of charge for all to behold. There are even special museum buses that run between the museums free of charge.

On Saturday the geothermal pools take charge, with over 10 local pools in the city waiving their entry fee, allowing everyone entry free of charge.

www.winterlightsfestival.is

Food & Fun

It began in 2002 as a marketing effort sponsored by Icelandair, the Icelandic Hotel & Gastronomy School and the City of Reykjavík to increase tourism in the city during the low season months. Food & Fun is a competitive gathering that draws talented chefs and foodies from all over the world to cook and compete in the various restaurants dimpling downtown Reykjavík.

www.foodandfun.is

Sónar Reykjavík

Sónar is a franchise festival (yes, that's apparently a thing) with one of its branches taking place in Reykjavík in February. The Reykjavík Sónar is intimate, taking place on five stages and a parking lot garage that gets transformed into a booming nightclub, blasted by international DJs.

www.sonarreykjavik.com

Reykjavík European Film Festival

Hosted in Reykjavík's Bíó Paradís, the Stockfish Film Festival hopes to stimulate the Icelandic film industry by providing a venue for collaboration between both domestic and foreign filmmakers. Events include master classes, seminars, panels and lectures on various subjects in the film industry.

www.stockfishfestival.is

March

Reykjavík Folk Festival

Hosted in the intimate venue of Kex Hostel, the Reykjavík Folk Festival began in 2010 as a tribute to the 10 year anniversary of the South River Band. This small, homey festival is a venue where the working man's music can be heard and enjoyed throughout the night.

www.folkfestival.is

Design March

The biggest design event in Iceland, Design March is organized by Iceland Design Centre and hosts a wide variety of events for those in the fields of design whether it be clothing, sculptures, architecture and beyond.

www.designmarch.is

Reykjavík Horse Festival

Of course, there's a festival dedicated to the Icelandic horse, two even! We'll get to the other one down the line. The Reykjavík Horse Festival is held inside the capital city with events ranging from open horse stables, a horse parade and a demonstration of the strength of the Icelandic horse.

Reykjavík Horse Festival

Reykjavík Blues Festival

Held at the Hilton Reykjavík Nordica and various other venues, the Reykjavík Blues Festival is the foremost event in Iceland for lovers of blues. What better way to celebrate the coming spring than with some blues?

www.blues.is

Iceland Winter Games

In Iceland's northern capital of Akureyri, the Winter Games are held every year with diverse events like a volcanic-themed free ski and snowboarding competition, "Peak to Surf" ski tours on the troll peninsula, arctic horseriding, snowmobile competitions and much more.

www.icelandwintergames.com

Aldrei Fór Ég Sudur (Never Did I Venture South)

It labels itself as the People's Festival of Rock, Aldrei is held in the westfjords, in the town of Ísafjörður to be precise. Best of all, there are no entry fees to any of the venues and no sound checks!

www.aldrei.is/lang/en

April

AK Extreme

Prepare for mayhem if you plan on paying a visit to Iceland's number one snowboarding event. AK Extreme takes place over the course of 4 days with varyingly extreme events taking place in the ski resort of Mt. Hlíðarfjall and in downtown Akureyri. The main event is a heart-pounding big jump that takes place in the middle of town where shipping containers have been stacked on top of each other to create the ultimate jump.

www.akx.is

Reykjavík Tectonics

It takes place in the Harpa Concert Hall, Tectonics is a glorious ensemble of international musicians and the Icelandic Symphony Orchestra.

www.tectonics.is

Reykjavík Shorts&Docs Festival

Shorts&Docs is a festival for those with keen interests in filmmaking and documentation. It gives you an opportunity to lay your eyes on some highly interesting short films and documentaries that all seem to provide different inspirations and perspectives.

www.shortsdocsfest.com

May

Reykjavík Arts Festival

Started in 1970, the Reykjavík Arts Festival is an annual multidisciplinary event with a wide range of events and displays from various artists in culturally significant venues as well as other unconventional spaces.

www.listahatid.is

June

Festival of The Sea

Taking place during Iceland's Sailor's Day Weekend, the Festival of The Sea officially starts when a fleet of ships in Reykjavík Harbour blow their horns in a chorus that fills the downtown area.

During the Sailor's Day Weekend, most Icelandic towns have events of their own but the Festival of the Sea is the largest of those events. If you have a deep, profound love of seafood or fascination with traditional Icelandic seafaring, then this festival is a must-see.

www.hatidhafsins.is

The Viking Festival

Speaking of tradition, the Viking Festival stretches back to the very roots of Icelandic culture, giving guests a true insight into the way things were before the arrival of Christianity.

You'll get to see real Vikings battle it out in duels, merchants arriving from ships in the docks, peddling their wares in stalls and of course a feast of food and ale so great the tables bend beneath their weight.

www.fjorukrain.is

Secret Solstice

Named by some international websites and magazines as one of the top music festivals in Europe, Secret Solstice takes places over the course of three days during the time of year when the sun remains in the sky for the entire circle of the clock.

It carries a Norse mythological theme and hosts several side-events such as a party inside a glacier and a chill in the warm waters of the Secret Lagoon, with the main events taking place on the big stage in Laugadalur.

www.secretsolstice.is

The Arctic Open

Not exactly a festival, but the Arctic Open is a golden opportunity for golf enthusiasts to experience a game of golf under a midnight sun. The tournament draws players from all over the world and takes place at the Jadarsvöllur golf course in Akureyri.

www.arcticopen.is

July

Eistnaflug

In the isolated fjord of Neskaupsstadur, there takes place a festival of non-stop rock and heavy metal called Eistnaflug. It's four days long and carries a schedule packed with metal, hardcore, punk, rock and indie bands from Iceland and beyond.

www.eistnaflug.is

Braedslan Music Festival

Braedslan is a charming little festival that takes place in Borgarfjördur Eystri with appearances by several Icelandic talents as well as a few international names. It's important to note that this festival takes place in Bordarfjördur Eystri, and not Borgarfjördur. Yes, they are two places.

www.braedslan.is

Medieval Trading Days

11 km north of Akureyri, in a little village called Gásir, the Medieval Trading Days take place during one weekend in the middle of July. Guests can experience the practices of archery, rowing, weaving, cooking and rope-making as they were done in the middle ages.

www.gasir.is

All Tomorrows Parties

The ultimate mix tape festival, All Tomorrows Parties takes place in an abandoned US air force hangar in Keflavík with the majority of its lineup hailing from overseas, including names like John Carpenter and Fabio Frizzi.

www.atpfestival.com

August

Swamp Soccer

The European Championship in Swamp Soccer takes place during the first weekend of August, during the nation bank holiday known as Verslunarmannahelgin. Ever wanted to play football in a field of wet mud? Well here's your chance.

The tournament itself abides by most of football's regulations with the additions of pink and black cards. The pink card is awarded for inflicting minor hurt upon another player and you must, as a penalty, kiss the owy place. For severe fouls then you're hit with the black card and must play for two minutes with a black bag on your head.

Aside from the tournament, the entire weekend is packed with events and concerts so even if you don't plan on playing, there's plenty to do.

www.myrarbolti.com

Reykjavík Pride

The happiest festival of them, Reykjavík Pride is the biggest celebration of LGBTQ+ people in Iceland and the third largest festival in the country. In 2015 over 100.000 guests paid a visit to the festivities downtown despite rainy conditions and 2016 promises to go even grander.

www.hinsegindagar.is

The Great Fish Day

Another fish festival? Well, this is Iceland, what do you expect? The Great Fish Day is essentially Iceland's biggest all you can eat buffet, and you don't have to pay a dime. You'll get a chance to eat all the Icelandic marine delicacies from the country's longest BBQ grill. Doesn't that sound like something you just have to try? FOR FREE?!

www.fiskidagurinnmikli.is

Reykjavík Culture Night

'Come on in!' is the slogan for Reykjavík Culture Night in reference to good old Icelandic hospitality. It's one of the biggest celebrations in Iceland with diverse events all throughout the streets of downtown Reykjavík, topped off with a massive fireworks display down by the Reykjavík Harbour.

www.culturenight.is

Westman Islands Celebration

The biggest celebration in Iceland that takes place outside Reykjavík, known locally as Thjodhatid, the Westman Islands Celebration draws around 15.000 people from the mainland to the island of Heimaey for a truly massive festival that spans the entire weekend. If you plan on experiencing any of Iceland's festivals and you love a good party, then this festival is one to try out.

www.dalurinn.is

September

The Festival of Lights

Every year, during the first weekend of September, the Festival of Lights takes place in the town of Keflavík, only about 5 minutes from KEF International Airport. The entire weekend is dimpled with all manner of cultural events including a street theatre, art exhibitions, vintage auto shows and several concert events throughout the town.

The Festival reaches its climax on Saturday evening as the cliffs in the bay are lit up with lights and the largest fireworks display in the country is set in motion. The Festival of Lights is a romantic, dramatic and culturally significant event that leaves guests with memories imprinted for a lifetime.

www.ljosanott.is

Reykjavík International Film Festival

The biggest film event in Iceland, RIFF is the absolute best place for filmmakers and filmography enthusiasts to come together, enjoy full feature films from all over the world and create connections for future projects. Not only does it run films from over 40 countries, but RIFF also opens up the world of Icelandic filmmaking to the public in the best possible way.

www.riff.is

Reykjavík Jazz Festival

Held at the Harpa Concert Hall, the Reykjavík Jazz Festival showcases several artists and performances from the jazz scene in Iceland and beyond. Enjoy smooth Jazz in one of Europe's grandest concert halls.

www.reykjavikjazz.is

October

Imagine Peace Tower

Conceived by Yoko Ono and unveiled in 2007, the Imagine Peace Tower on Videy is a popular tourist destination and a common stop for whale watching tours from Reykjavík. Every year the tower is lit on October 9th and remains lit for various times during winter. Yoko Ono usually makes an appearance at the lighting ceremony to watch as her work of art is thrust into the sky, channeling peace and love to all who look upon it.

November

Iceland Airwaves

The music festival of music festivals, Iceland Airwaves is, by far, the largest music event in Iceland. With venues all over downtown Reykjavík, the festival has a lineup consisting of over 200 artists, both domestic and international. This is the time of year when Reykjavík City gets crowded with foreign music-lovers and the streets get completely devoured by music.

www.icelandairwaves.is

December

Gamlárskvöld (New Year's Eve)

You think you've seen fireworks? You've seen nothing! Come to Iceland for New Year's Eve and you'll be left standing in the middle of the city, your jaw firmly planted on the ground as you watch the sky get devoured by lights, explosions and smoke. The traditional New Year's Eve for the Icelandic family goes like this:

We drink and eat dinner together, usually turkey or some kind of smoked meat, then we drink some more as we watch the annual Skaupid on channel 1, a comedy show that pokes fun at all the things that happened in Iceland through the year, finally when the clock hits... well, 23:30 as we are an impatient bunch, we take out our crates of explosives and start contributing to the epic fireworks display that spreads over the entire country. New Year's Eve in Iceland is a spectacular experience that you should definitely not let pass you by.

Happy festivities!