1. Reykjavík Food and Fun Festival

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

One of the best events to catch when visiting Iceland is Food & Fun Festival right in the beautiful city of Reykjavik. The tourism industry in Iceland meets its off-season period during the late winter months of February and March. The significant decline of tourism during this time led to the founding of the Food & Fun Festival during the said months. It started as a competition between culinary experts from Iceland and other countries. The first festival happened in February 2002 and it has since become popular worldwide and is celebrated annually. The goal of the festival is to promote Iceland’s seafood and agricultural products.

Food and Fun Festival

Address: Reykjavik

Website: Food and Fun Festival

Takes place: March

2. The National Festival (Þjóðhátíð)

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

One of the oldest festivals in Iceland happens right in the picturesque municipality of Vestmannaeyjar, which is an archipelago on the country’s southern coast. Þjóðhátíð, or the National Festival in English, is an annual outdoor festival and was first celebrated in 1874. The turbulent weather prevented the islanders from attending the millennium of the Icelandic settlement which was held on the mainland. Today, guests gather for four days and various events like fireworks displays, bonfires, crowd singing, and concerts are held. The event that draws the most visitors is the crowd singing, which, in 2010, recorded almost 17,000 attendees.

The National Festival (Þjóðhátíð)

Address: Vestmannaeyjar, Iceland

Website: The National Festival

Takes place: August

3. Secret Solstice Festival

Since its inception in 2014, Secret Solstice Festival has become an annual celebration that takes place on the day when summer solstice occurs. It is an event that is usually eagerly awaited by both locals and tourists. As you know, Iceland can be cold for the most part of the year, and that’s why people are always excited about experiencing 96 hours of sunlight and fun. People gather at the capital to enjoy live performances from a variety of artists. It also gives you a good opportunity to explore the local culture and cuisine as well as socializing with the locals.

Secret Solstice Festival

Address: Engjavegur 7, Laugardalur, 104 Reykjavík, Iceland

Website: Secret Solstice Festival

Takes place: June

4. Viking Festival

Are you familiar with the TV series called Vikings? Well, Viking Festival might trigger some memories of that TV show. This is a cultural event celebrated every year in Hafnarfjörður, just a few miles from Reykjavík. Having started in 1995, this is the oldest and biggest festival that Iceland has ever witnessed. Starting the second week of June, this event makes Hafnarfjörður the center of attention for a spectacular four weeks. Travelers from all over the world come to be entertained by musicians, artists, storytellers, artisans, and blacksmiths. The festival comes to a climax with Vikings showing techniques of marksmanship.

Viking Festival

Address: Hafnarfjordur, Iceland

Takes place:2nd week of June

5. Reykjavik Winter Lights Festival

Winter is usually a mystical season that brings about a certain excitement and a fair amount of darkness with it. As the cold season comes to a close, many people gather to celebrate the end of long hours of darkness and to welcome the growing sunlight. Winter Lights Festival usually comes in three phases: Museum Night, Pool Night, and Winter Lights Walking Path. Museum Night attracts more crowds because of entertainment such as live music, dance, theater, and much more. Pool Night is all about experiencing thrills while swimming. The last event of this Iceland light festival sees people tour the city, admiring the charm of illuminated buildings.

Reykjavik Winter Lights Festival

Address: Reykjavik, Iceland

Website: Reykjavik Winter Lights Festival

Takes place: February

6. Saga Fest

If there’s a time of the year when Iceland sees many tourists, it’s during Saga Festival. In the month of May, people from all corners of the earth trickle to Iceland for this festival that is aimed at promoting creativity, resilience, and openness. This event nurtures the community through pure love and the positive energy of music, arts, workshops, and storytelling. During the lively nights, people gather around bonfires to enjoy delicious local cuisine and listen to interesting stories. Both local and traveling musicians delight the crowds with energetic performances. Artists with different plays entertain the audience at the theater.

Saga Fest

Address: Iceland

Takes place: Usually held in May

7. Reykjavik Pride

This past August, Reykjavik Pride celebrated its 20th anniversary since it started in Iceland. As things have changed from a more traditional, reserved manner to a digital and expressive way, perception of different cultures and traditions has also seen a shift in dynamics. Today, people can openly discuss the issue of being gay without fear of intimidation and stigma. This has been made possible by efforts made by movements like Reykjavik Pride. This is an LGBTQ parade that is usually geared toward enlightening the world and promoting visibility and courage. It is also filled with entertainment from concerts and performances.

Reykjavik Pride

Address: Reykjavik, Iceland

Website: Reykjavik Pride

Takes place: August

8. Iceland Airwaves Music Festival

Are you a music addict and looking for a wonderful vacation destination to visit during November? Iceland is the ideal location for you. It is during this time of year that the famous Iceland Airwaves Music Festival is really lighting up the mood. This Icelandic music festival takes place for four days each year and sees musicians, both local and international, come to entertain the public. The main idea of this celebration is to allow musicians, both upcoming and mainstream, to showcase their new music. Artists are given the opportunity to present their wonderful creations. Truly this festival gives you the opportunity to have a spellbinding musical experience.

Iceland Airwaves

Address: Reykjavík, Iceland

Takes place: November

9. Reykjavík Fringe Festival

Reykjavík Fringe Festival is a combo festival that goes beyond all expectations to ensure an unmatched festive mood. It is an annual event that takes place in Reykjavik in the month of July, offering the most refreshing and out-of-the-box acts in the fringe realm. This is a very special occasion that combines all forms of entertainment harmoniously in one pot. Dance, music, poetry, and theater shows are among the events highlighting this affair. Educational movies and stand-up comedies are some of the things that make this gathering even livelier and more vibrant. No wonder people come from all over the world to Iceland for this festival.

Reykjavík Fringe Festival

Address: Reykjavík, Iceland

Website: Reykjavík Fringe Festival

Takes place: June to July

10. Dark Music Days

The Dark Music Days festival is like lighting a matchstick in the dark because it takes place during the dark days of the Icelandic winter. The festival, which has been in existence since 1980, brings locals and tourists together at the Harpa concert hall on the Reykjavik harbor. People with a deep passion for music come here to enjoy both new and contemporary sounds at the grandest of stages. Both local and international musicians come here to showcase their God-given talents. As winter threatens to take every light out of Iceland, this festival comes and lights up the whole place again.

Dark Music Days

Address: Austurbakki 2, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland

Website: Dark Music Days

Takes place: January to February

11. Design March

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

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This is an annual festival that is meant to promote fashion and design. During the month of March, Icelanders and tourists gather at Iceland Design Centre to celebrate a collection of new, attractive, exotic, and out-of-the-box design ideas. Apart from showcasing the best local talents, the event also features talks for aspiring designers and a day of lectures from local and world-renowned experts. The exhibits comprise of food design, architecture, furniture design, and fashion. Even though this festival does not include a lot of partying like other events, it is a magical gathering full of passion.

Design March

Address: Aðalstræti 2, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland

Website: Design March

Takes place: Usually held in March

12. Siglufjörður Folk Festival

Siglufjörður Folk Festival is hosted in the historic village of Siglufjörður every year. Even though it’s held in Iceland, it draws its inspiration from Icelandic and Scandinavian folk music. It is a four-day event that brings folk dancers and musicians from all over the world to come and entertain—and also to inspire people with folk music. The event organizes workshops on folk music and vintage handicrafts. Different lectures are held on a variety of topics about the local perceptions of the genre and foreign ideas. Apart from these, guests also get to enjoy a laid-back atmosphere and admire the breathtaking scenery.

Siglufjörður Folk Festival

Address: Siglufjörður, Iceland

Website: Siglufjörður Folk Festival

Takes place: July

13. Reykjavík International Film Festival

Founded in 2004, this festival is one of the iconic and most diverse cultural events in the country. Hosted annually in Reykjavik, Reykjavik International Film Festival is an 11-day event that strives to promote the local film scene to the international stage. Before its inception, Iceland wasn’t a popular place with filmmakers, but that has changed over the years. This Iceland festival recognizes original works by artists and features things like panel talks, lectures, and debates. Documentaries are also incorporated as a part of the ceremony. Even more significantly, there are always awards for directors who have done outstanding jobs in their productions.

Reykjavík International Film Festival

Address: Reykjavík, Iceland

Website: Reykjavík International Film Festival

Takes place: September to October

14. Iceland Noir

Are you someone who loves crime fiction movies or books? The mystery behind a certain crime and the steps in solving the puzzle always arouse a certain curiosity. Iceland Noir is an annual festival that is bound to answer the questions you have about crime fiction. This is always a special treat for those filled with the spirit of adventure. This is an event that is geared to promoting and encouraging local authors to venture into mystery fiction. It attracts international, best-selling authors to come and give motivational talks and insights on how best to navigate the world of crime fiction.

Iceland Noir

Address: Reykjavik, Iceland

Takes place: November

15. Fiskidagurinn Mikli

There are some people that start to salivate when they hear fish meat. Well, if your appetite puts you into that category, then this festival might be just for you. Check out Fiskidagurinn Mikli, which is a special four-day occasion that celebrates and appreciates the local fishing industry. Every August, Dalvik becomes a wild seafood paradise as tourists and locals trickle down here to have a taste of different mouthwatering seafood. There are a lot of refreshments to accompany your meals. This event features vibrant music performances, fish exhibitions, art shows, and street theaters. If you’ve never tasted sushi, just visit Dalvik.

Fiskidagurinn Mikli

Address: Hafnartorgi 620, Dalvík, Iceland

Website: Fiskidagurinn Mikli

Takes place: August

16. Réttir

Iceland is a country that has a rich agricultural background, and it’s because of reasons like this that events such as Réttir are organized. You would be forgiven to think that farmers don’t have the time to attend public events, but this is the complete opposite. During the month of September, tourists come to Iceland to see amazing breeds of sheep rounded up in a wooden sheepfold. The locals together with their family members expertly sort out the sheep to separate herds. You can see small kids riding on sheep’s backs. Afterward, farmers and tourists socialize over a cup of coffee.

Réttir

Address: Iceland

Takes place: September

17. Reykjavik Jazz Festival

Are you a fan of Jazz music? Then the month of September is the perfect time for you to go on a vacation in Iceland. This is the time of the year when the locals host Reykjavik Jazz Festival—an event that gathers the best international jazz musicians and brings them to the Icelandic music scene. It includes live performances featuring contemporary jazz, Latin, and gospel categories. Big bands keep the guests on their feet all night with their lively, energetic performances. Also, there are special programs for kids and people who might be interested in jazz.

Reykjavik Jazz Festival

Address: Rauðagerði 27, 108 Reykjavík, Iceland

Website: Reykjavik Jazz Festival

Takes place: August to September

18. Reykjavík Blues Festival [Last event in 2019]

Are you an aspiring blues artist or just a die-hard fan of blues music? Well, Reykjavík Blues Festival is meant for you. This is an annual event that is aimed at promoting raw talents entering the music scene and also entertaining people. It gathers the best jazz performers from Europe, North America, and even locally to showcase their skills. Apart from the exciting performances, guests are also treated to a variety of delicious local dishes. Furthermore, young artists are given the platform to impress at this celebration. This creates a kind of jam session that can’t allow any music fan to be blue.

Reykjavík Blues Festival

Address: Reykjavík, Iceland

Website: Reykjavík Blues Festival

Takes place: April

19. Sonar Reykjavik [Last event in 2019]

Sonar Reykjavik is a romantic music festival that defies time and distance to bring the music world together. It’s an annual event that takes place simultaneously in different venues across the land. Some of the main features of this event include live performances by various artists, both local and international, and conferences circling the theme of music and culture. The main focus of this sonar festival in Iceland drives to enlightening guest creators and innovators outside of the limelight. It combines music, art, and technology harmoniously in one place. In the month of March, it’s usually cold and people are not as jumpy, but this festival brings about a warm vibe.

Sonar Reykjavik

Address: Reykjavík, Iceland

Takes place: April

20. Reykjavík Folk Festival [Last event in 2018]

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Iceland might be an island, but it’s a paradise with endless surprises all throughout the year. One of the pleasant wonders of this Nordic island is Reykjavík Folk Festival—a three-day music extravaganza celebrating passion in the Icelandic folk music scene. The event takes place every year in the month of March and brings people, locals, and tourists together for a special jam session. Throughout the occasion, there are different activities like dancing, live performances, and talks centered on local folk music. A part of the celebration also includes dining where tourists get to sample a variety of local dishes.

Reykjavík Folk Festival

Address: Reykjavík, Iceland

Website: Reykjavík Folk Festival

Takes place: March

21. First Day of Summer Festival

As the winter season nears the end, Icelanders always welcome the much-anticipated summer in fashion and style. After long, dark days of freezing, summer always comes with excitement and a lot of fun fare. This vibration starts with First Day of Summer Festival, which is celebrated annually, usually on the first Thursday after April 18. All around the country, people come out to the streets in large numbers to celebrate the end of cold days. The event comes with live performances, DJ music, and a lot of dancing by the fans. People gather at different venues to socialize as they wine and dine.

First Day of Summer Festival

Address: Iceland

Takes place: April

22. Drangey Music festival [Event has passed]

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Named after the Drangey Island, Drangey Music Festival is a magical celebration held annually after the summer solstice. The Nordic island boasts a variety of festivals, some with a mighty reputation and other small ones, but none as magical as this one. Literally, the festival takes place where the road ends, just on the foot of Tindastóll Mountain. At this point, you enjoy the magical views of Drangey Island surrounded by the calm blue waters of the Atlantic. Guests enjoy swimming in the natural pool and having fun for 24 hours of sunlight. Musicians and other artists do their best to ensure the crowd is thrilled.

Drangey Music festival

Address: Sauðárkrókur, Iceland

Takes place: June

Enjoy a vibrant Nordic atmosphere

If you like to party, then there’s no better way to enjoy a vacation than celebrating. With a myriad of festivals running throughout the year, Iceland promises to be an intriguing vacation destination. With all these events, you get to enjoy magical moments in Northern Atlantic.