Events
Menningarnótt
Menningarnótt or "cultural night" is a yearly event held in Reykjavík, the capital of Iceland, usually on the first Saturday after the 18th of August. It was created by the Reykjavík city council, and has now become one of the largest festivals in Iceland, rivalling the celebration of Iceland's national day on June 17th. It is estimated that as many as 100,000 people attend the annual concerts and festivities conducted in central Reykjavík, a staggeringly high percentage of Iceland's total population of 315,000 and Reykjavík's population of nearly 118,000. The festival often consists of a main stage in the city centre and many smaller events mostly in the city's centre but also spread over the city. The highlight of the festival is often an outside concert on the main stage by 3-4 of the most popular musicians in Iceland followed by a rather glamorous fireworks show. Great night to be in Reykjavík.
Icelandic National Day
17.June, is a holiday in Iceland and celebrates the day in 1944 that The Republic of Iceland was formed. The date of 17 June was chosen because it is the birthday of Jón Sigurðsson, a major figure of Icelandic culture and the leader of the 19th century Icelandic independence movement. Great night to be in Reykjavík.
Iceland Airwaves
Iceland Airwaves is probably Scandinavia's largest music festival in October. The Iceland Airwaves Festival is a major annual event taking place in Reykjavík. Make sure not to miss a big part of the Iceland Airwaves Festival - the official Saturday night party in the Blue Lagoon! Amazing weekend that you are going to remember all your life.
Gay Pride
The Reykjavik Gay Pride is one of the fastest growing pride events in the world, with over 85,000 visitors each August. This annual event in Iceland always takes place in the second week of August.
New Year's Eve
New Year's Eve is big, or it´s huge.. in each quarter of the city, neighbours meet at a large bonfire to celebrate the new year in Reykjavik, while watching the numerous fireworks displays over the city.
Later, locals meet in Reykjavik's small downtown area for the party - after all, Reykjavik's nightlife is famous. On this last day of the year in Reykjavik, there is one rule: the colder the temperatures, the hotter the nightlife!
Iceland Food & Fun Festival in March
This week long festival of special promotions at restaurants and bars throughout Reykjavik brings to light the achievements of chefs and brew masters, as well as manufacturers of Icelandic gourmet products such as caviar, shrimp, lamb and cheese. Internationally renowned chefs visit the capital and are paired with a restaurant to create a special menu for the week. Make sure to reserve a table well in advanced as seats sell out quickly! www.foodandfun.is
DesignMarch - March 22th - 25th 2012
DesignMarch offers a diverse and exciting programme. A wealth of events, interesting lectures and exhibitions reflect the diversity of Icelandic design. DesignMarch is a four day feast for designers, businesses, design aficionados, the general public and tourists alike which brings a splash of colour to the city of Reykjavik and the country. It heralds the coming of spring, bright and joyous and throws light on new opportunities.
Reykjavík Blues Festival March 31st - April 5th 2012.
International Reykjavík Blues Festival will be held at Hilton Reykjavík Nordica. Watch blues artists from Europe, Iceland and North America perform together in some of the most unique jam sessions in the Northern Hemisphere. Also catch performances from young and promising blues artists of the future.
Reykjavik Gay Pride - Every year the second weekend in August
Reykjavík Gay Pride is our pride and joy. We, the owners of Pink Iceland, have been involved with the Gay Pride planning committee for many years now and it's always our favourite time of the year, it is always the second weekend in August every year. The parade is just amazing and the biggest part of gay pride, it gets more and more entries every year and the floats are inventive, crazy, intimate, fun, party trucks and marching p-flaggers. It starts at Hlemmur bus stop and goes all the way down Laugavegur and ends in Lækjargata where the outdoor concert is. An amazing feeling ascends to your every nerve as you feel the beat fill you and thousands of smiling faces waving rainbow flags and sharing in on your pride. Attended by about 100.000 people in a country with roughly 300.000 inhabitants gay pride is one of Iceland's biggest and most popular festivities. The festivities last from Wednesday through Sunday and there are many exciting events like the Opening festival, queer cruise, queer dances, family festival, literary walk, gay history walk, numerous concerts and more. On the website you will find more detailed information about this darling festival of ours. What makes Reykjavík Gay Pride so special is that the crowd is so diverse; grandparents, children, politicians, priests, party people, moms and dads, people from all walks of life.
Airwaves
Icelandic Airwaves is a great, awesome and international music festival held at various venues in Reykjavik's city centre from October 12th -October 16th. Each year more and more bands play and more and more tickets are sold. The city centre is a musical paradise this time of year. Check out the set up for this year on their website.
Culture Night
An annual event since 1996, the streets of Reykjavík city vibrate with culture in late August. Cultural night is a festival that the people of Reykjavík create and experience together, as guests and hosts. A number of cultural institutes such as museums, galleries, ateliers, churches stay open longer. Thousands of people stroll the streets and the schedule is always jam-packed with events from noon until midnight, ending with a firework display by the harbor. The immensely popular Reykjavik Marathon takes place on the same day.
See this years schedule at their website.
The Reykjavik marathon
A very popular marathon that grows bigger every year and is becoming more and more popular with both Icelanders and foreign travellers.
We urge to get to know the marathon better via their website and intergrate it with your holiday in Iceland if you happen to have the marathon fever.The date for 2012 is the 18th of August and for 2013 24th of August
Arts Festival
Reykjavík Arts Festival is held every year in May with the purpose to promote Icelandic and international culture of all artforms. The programmes offer a range of concerts, theatre performances, exhibitions, dance and opera. It's popularity is growing with each year. Visit their website.
Food & Fun
The name really says it all. "Reykjavik Food and Fun Festival" is an event which combines outstanding culinary skills, fresh natural ingredients, Icelandic outdoor adventure and the world-famous Reykjavik nightlife to create the ultimate recipe for fun. The festival is held annually the last week of February and now 2010 is the ninth anniversary. It has become very popular and bookings start months in advance. Read more about the Food and Fun festival on their website.
Book your trip to Iceland and have fun with us !
