Events in Reykjavík

Reykjavík, despite its small size, sustains a year-round programme of festivals, music, exhibitions and street parties that would look ambitious in a capital ten times the size. Read all about it here. The event calendar below is updated continuously and covers all kinds of events: music, movies, art and everything else. 

Summer: the long-daylight months

The long-daylight months carry the biggest events: Verslunarmannahelgi (“shop workers’ weekend”), when much of the country decamps to outdoor festivals; Reykjavík Pride; the Reykjavík Marathon; and Menningarnótt (“culture night”), when the city centre becomes one open venue and closes with fireworks over the harbour. The street food festival rounds out the season.

Autumn and winter

Iceland Airwaves fills November venues downtown. From late November the city shifts into Christmas mode — markets, concerts and thirteen Yule Lads — before New Year’s Eve, less a fireworks display than a citywide amateur artillery exercise.

Beyond the calendar

Not everything worth doing is scheduled. Harpa has something on most nights — music, theatre and everything in between. The city’s museums and geothermal pools run year-round, and there’s more free and cheap to do here than Reykjavík’s reputation suggests.

What’s On has been Reykjavík’s event guide since 1994, in print and online. If you’re in town, pick up the magazine from almost any stand, or stop by our tourist information desk for a chat.