Reykjavik Winter Lights
February
Held to celebrate winter and the emergence of light after the darkness of the year’s end, the Winter Lights Festival combines a whole host of events, from late-night museum shows and poetry readings to live music and child-friendly workshops.
National Day
17 June
Celebrated every year since 1944, this annual gathering is a chance for street parades, live music and theatrical performances, as well as a wealth of associated side shows and dances. It marks the date of the formation of the Republic of Iceland.
Midnight Sun Run
June
The Midnight Sun Run is a chance to make the most of the long, long nights of the Icelandic midsummer by jogging the city streets at midnight. It’s made even more unusual by the prospect of a dip in a geothermal pool near the finish line. There’s a half-marathon, a 10km run and a 5km run.
Reykjavik Culture Night
August
Serving up a rich programme of tours, shows, exhibitions and concerts, Reykjavik’s annual culture night (which actually also takes place during the day) gives the opportunity to join thousands of locals in wandering the streets and visiting the myriad different event venues.
Iceland Airwaves
November
Now something of a fixture on the international music festival scene, Iceland Airwaves has over the years drawn rock and dance artists from across the planet, as well as local musicians such as Sigur Rós and Björk.