Reykjavik Events

Held every other year at Vindheimamelar in Skagafjordur in northern Iceland, the Icelandair Horse Festival is the biggest equestrian event in the country. Known locally as 'Landsmot', the event features international riders competing in a number of different disciplines including racing, breeding and dressage. The Icelandair Horse Festival attracts enthusiasts, riders and breeders from all over the world.

Presenting a varied programme of cultural events, this annual festival is a real treat for locals and visitors, young and old alike. Many of the country's most distinguished art establishments participate in the event, including the Iceland Symphony Orchestra, the Icelandic Opera, the National Theatre of Iceland, the Reykjavik City Theatre, the Iceland Dance Company, the Reykjavík Chamber Orchestra and the Caput Ensemble. Held biennially since its inception in 1970, the festival became an annual event in 2004.

Reykjavik hosts various Independence Day parades and there is a whole lot of street theater, sideshows and dancing to keep everyone entertained.

A game of midnight golf in Iceland is an unusual delight. The sun barely dips below the horizon and it's possible to pay golf round the clock. The Arctic Open is an international event which attracts over 100 players from around the world.

The biggest gay and lesbian event of the year, the city's annual Gay Pride brings a carnival of colour and celebrations to the streets, bars and clubs of Reykjavik. Events take place at various venues and locations throughout the city as up to 50,000 revellers - including many straight people - attend parties, parades and club nights scheduled as part of the four-day festival. Parties begin early on Thursday night before the official Pride Opening Ceremony on Friday evening. On Saturday, a colourful and noisy parade makes its way down the Laugavegur main shopping street after which there is a fun open-air party that is open to all. On Sunday there is usually a well-supported sporting event before the fun comes to an end at the official Farwell Party in the evening.

An annual event in the city since 1996, Reykjavik Culture Night has become an essential part of cultural life in Iceland, with thousands of people strolling the streets of the city on a single night to enjoy a variety of activities ranging from guided tours, traditional shows and exhibitions to more unusual happenings. A number of galleries, shops, bars and restaurants open til late on the night.

Each year thousands of professional and amateur runners travel to the world's most northerly capital to participate in the Reykjavik Marathon. Attracted by the pleasant climate, incredibly fresh air, great scenery and good running conditions, runners can choose to compete in the marathon, half-marathon, or the easier 10km and 5km fun runs. Marathon day was moved to coincide with the city's popular Cultural Night (see separate entry) which provides runners with some great evening entertainment ranging from museum exhibitions and live music to city walks and culinary events.

Dedicated to the vibrant dance style that originated in 19th-century Argentina, Iceland's annual Tango festival is a fun event that includes a live tango show, classes by international teachers, and tango bands. Also awaiting you are workshops, nightly milongas (a universal term for a tango club) and a whole host of other events that trumpet tango as not just a dance, but a way of life.

First held in 2004, this festival has fast established itself as Iceland's biggest and most important film festival. Visitors to the event are given the opportunity to see the cream of the latest releases from around the world as well as shorts and animations from up and coming directors from the international scene. Directors, cinematographers and producers are on hand to talk about their films at a series of seminars and workshops.

Hosted in disused warehouses, airplane hangers, clubs, bars and an assortment of other unusual venues around Reykjavik, this annual music festival has a cool urban flavour and is a popular event among the city's young and trendy folk. Since it was first held in 1999, the event has grown from just being a stage for local DJs to become an international music festival that attracts bands and performers from all over the world. With performances, DJ sets and aftershow parties often continuing through until dawn, this is not a festival for the fainthearted.

New Year’s Eve is traditionally a major excuse to party in the city. Shops and restaurants open in the morning and visitors can take a New Year's Eve tour or make their way to one of the city's large bonfires. Just before midnight, there is a spectacular fireworks display watched by huge crowds at Hallgrímskirkja church, Perlan (The Pearl) and Landakotskirkja church.

Icelanders celebrate the old feast of Thorrablot, with singing, dancing, and the consumption of traditional Viking food, topped off with brennivin (Icelandic spirit). Traditional Viking food includes: smoked lamb, singed sheep heads, stockfish, rye bread steamed in hot ground, delicious "skyr" amongst other things.

Dedicated to the theme of light and energy, and really just to cheer everyone up after a long dark winter, the Winter Lights Festival is an exciting public festival centered around Laugardalur park in Reykjavik. It entails a mix of events celebrating arts and crafts, environment and history, sports and culture.

A tantalising treat for the taste buds, this annual festival sees visiting chefs from around the world travel to Iceland for a programme of food and culinary events. Using locally sourced ingredients, local chefs team up with their international counterparts to create some gastronomic treats including traditional lamb dishes and seafood specialities.

Beer Day in Iceland marks the abolition, on 1 March 1989, of a 75-year long prohibition of beer. Making up for lost time, the citizens of Reykjavik indulge in a beer spree on the same day each year. Highly festive celebrations are held at pubs, restaurants, and clubs all around Reykjavik and the festivities continue long into the night. A runtur (bar crawl) is a popular way of getting to know the various bars and beers in this city famous for its hedonistic nightlife. Many bars and nightclubs are open until 0400. Suggestions that 2 March should be declared National Hangover Day have apparently been strongly resisted. Icelandic beers include Viking Gylltur, a strong lager with a bitter taste, Viking Dimmur, Sterkur, Thule and Ice Bjor. Take your pick.