Festivity in
a Distinctive Setting

WHATEVER TIME of year you’re in Iceland, there’ll be something going on that will take your fancy. Sometimes it’s a familiar festivity in a distinctive Icelandic setting, and sometimes it’s a charming local custom that will grab your imagination. Then there are regular cultural and leisure events, indoors and outside, to keep you entertained and busy for the whole of your stay.

Check out these regular features on the Icelandic calendar:

January-May
Cultural season. After the Xmas break, the music, art and theater scene gets back into full swing with programs for all interest groups.

Jan. 18-Feb. 16
Midwinter feast (Thorrablot). An ancient Viking tradition — feasting on “delicacies” such as boiled sheep head and rotten shark meat as well as more edible goodies. Be brave just once a year.

Feb. 12-14
Bursting time. Fill up before Lent, with all the cream buns you can eat on “Bun Monday” and oversized helpings of salted meat and mushy peas on “Bursting Tuesday.” Then on Ash Wednesday, watch the children dressed up in the streets, singing and playing pranks.

Feb. 25-March 3
Festival of Light in Reykjavik. Dedicated to the theme of light and energy, an exciting public festival centered around Laugardalur Park.

Feb. 26-March 3
Food Festival in Reykjavik. A week of special events and promotions at restaurants, giving you a taste of the best in Icelandic cuisine.

March 1
Beer Day. Beer was only legalized in Iceland in 1989 and people celebrate the big day in suitable style on the anniversary every year.

Easter
One of the peaks of the musical year, with diverse concert programs. Plus chocolate eggs of huge proportions, smoked lamb and a time for families to relax together.

April-September
Trout fishing season in lakes and rivers around the country.

April 25
First Day of Summer. Icelanders still welcome the end of winter and start of summer — a national holiday — with colorful parades and entertainment in the streets.

May-September
Whale watching season. With thousands of whales just off its shores, Iceland offers more chances of sightings than just about anywhere else in the world.

May
Bird time. Puffins, Arctic terns and rarer migrant birds zoom in from the south, bringing summer with them.

May
Miss Iceland beauty contest. One look at Miss Iceland and you’ll definitely miss Iceland when you leave!

May 11-31
Reykjavik Arts Festival. Biennial international culture bonanza, with highlights this time around including Wagner’s Flying Dutchman.

June-August
Marathon time. Fresh air and scenery that’ll take your breath away, including: Myvatn Midnight Sun Marathon (north Iceland, June 21); Highland Marathon (34 miles of uninhabited landscapes between Landmannalaugar and Thorsmork nature reserves, south highlands); and Reykjavik International Marathon (several distances around the city, August 17).

June-September
Salmon fishing season. Clean air and rivers make Iceland one of the best places in the world for anglers. Make sure to book your rods well in advance.

June-September
Festival time. Communities all around the country stage fun celebrations on local themes.

June 2
Seamen’s Day. First Sunday in June, with fun and games at every harbor in this country of fishermen and seafarers.

June 17
National Day. Icelanders take to the streets to celebrate independence (since 1944). Colorful ceremonies followed by parades, street theater, sideshows and outdoor dancing in the midnight sun, all over the country.

June 21
Summer solstice. Gatherings to celebrate the magic of the midnight sun on the longest day of the year.

June 26-29
Arctic Open International Golf Tournament. In Akureyri just south of the Arctic Circle, tee off at midnight in bright sunshine and play through the night in a marvellous natural setting.

July 26-28
Reykholt Music Festival. “Classical music in a classic environment” in the beautiful church at the west Iceland site where saga writer Snorri Sturluson lived.

July
International Festival of the Icelandic Horse. Annual event, camping with riding displays featuring the unique pedigree Icelandic horse.

August
Bank Holiday weekend. On the first weekend in August, almost everyone goes off to camp at festivals around the country — everything from family events to wild rock festivals.

August
Flight of the Puffling. A sight not to be missed in Westman Islands off the south coast, when millions of baby puffins leave their nests and take to wing for the first time.

August 10
Gay pride. Gays and lesbians come out in force and style to parade and party in Reykjavik.

August 17
Reykjavik Cultural Night. To mark Reykjavik’s anniversary on August 18, bookstores and museums stay open into the closest Saturday night and artistic events are staged in the streets and at cafés, bars, and restaurants all over the capital, culminating in a massive fireworks display.

September-December
Cultural season. Concerts, opera, ballet, drama, visual arts — you name it, it’ll be on the season’s agenda somewhere in Reykjavik.

September-March
Northern Lights season.

September
Culture festival time. Every year Reykjavik hosts a Jazz Festival and Film Festival — both of them international events with plenty of celebrated guests. Actually, September is not the only time for jazz and film lovers, since Egilsstadir in the East stages an annual international jazz festival in August too, and there’s a festival of short films in Reykjavik every spring.

September
Sheep round-up. Colorful and lively time with plenty of song and merriment all around the countryside. Held at pens where farmers herd in the sheep they have rounded up from summer grazing in the wilds.

October
Iceland Airwaves, a special music event in Iceland. Hear the airwaves come alive in Reykjavik as the hottest bands and DJ´s from Iceland and Europe meet for a sizzling concert event.

Christmas
Icelanders go in for Christmas in a big way, with 13 separate Santa Clauses who play pranks and sing in the beautifully lit streets. Check out the delicious Christmas buffets and traditional festive season delicacies such as smoked lamb, ptarmigan and venison.

December 31
New Year’s Eve goes off with a bang with the biggest firework display you’ll probably ever see, everyone takes part. There are public bonfires and the merrymaking lasts right through to the following year.