Iceland’s best-known holidays are Þorrablót in midwinter, National Day on 17 June, Reykjavik Pride in August, Christmas with the thirteen Yule Lads, and New Year’s Eve. Add festivals like the Winter Lights Festival, Culture Night and Iceland Airwaves and there is something to plan a trip around in every season.
Iceland’s holidays and festivals at a glance
| When | Holiday or festival | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Late Jan–Feb | Þorrablót | Midwinter feast of traditional food |
| February | Winter Lights Festival | Reykjavik’s light installations and events |
| 8–10 Feb 2027 | Bun Day, Bursting Day, Ash Wednesday | Cream buns, salted meat and children in costume |
| 22 Apr 2027 | First Day of Summer | Public holiday and parades |
| 17 June | National Day | Parades and concerts |
| Late Jul–2 Aug 2027 | Þjóðhátíð in the Westman Islands | Iceland’s biggest outdoor festival |
| August | Reykjavik Pride and Culture Night | Parade, concerts and fireworks |
| Late Sept–Oct | Reykjavik International Film Festival | Films and events |
| November | Iceland Airwaves | Music festival |
| 12–24 Dec | The Yule Lads | Christmas folklore |
| 31 Dec | New Year’s Eve | Bonfires and fireworks |
What is Þorrablót?
A midwinter feast held during the old Norse month of Þorri, which in 2027 begins on Friday 22 January. Icelanders gather for traditional food — hákarl (fermented shark), svið (sheep’s head), lifrarpylsa (liver sausage) and dried fish — with music, dancing and plenty of brennivín.
The feast revives an old midwinter tradition but took its modern form in the 19th century. Visitors can try the food at restaurants in Reykjavik during Þorri.
What happens on Bun Day, Bursting Day and Ash Wednesday?
Three days before Lent: on Bolludagur (8 February 2027) bakeries sell cream buns, on Sprengidagur (9 February) families eat salted meat and pea soup “until they burst”, and on Öskudagur (10 February) children dress up and sing in shops for sweets — the closest thing Iceland has to Halloween.
What is the Winter Lights Festival?
A festival in Reykjavik each February that lights up the dark season with art installations, museum evenings and pool nights. It is a good reason to visit in winter, when you can combine the city with northern lights trips into the countryside.
When is Iceland’s National Day?
17 June, the day Iceland became a republic in 1944 and the birthday of independence leader Jón Sigurðsson. Towns across the country hold parades and concerts, and Reykjavik’s celebrations fill the city centre.
What are Iceland’s biggest summer festivals?
- First Day of Summer (22 April 2027) — a public holiday with parades, celebrated whatever the weather.
- Þjóðhátíð — a huge outdoor festival in the Westman Islands over the August bank-holiday weekend (ending Monday 2 August 2027), with a giant bonfire and fireworks.
- Reykjavik Pride — one of the country’s largest events, held in August, with a parade through the city.
- Culture Night (Menningarnótt) — a Saturday in late August when Reykjavik’s streets, galleries and homes open for free events, ending with fireworks.
What festivals are on in autumn?
The Reykjavik International Film Festival runs from late September into October, and Iceland Airwaves fills the city’s venues with Icelandic and international bands in November. Autumn is also the start of northern lights season.
How does Iceland celebrate Christmas and New Year?
From 12 December, children put a shoe on the windowsill each night. One of the thirteen Yule Lads — mischievous characters from Icelandic folklore — leaves a small gift, or a potato if the child has misbehaved. The main celebration is dinner on the evening of 24 December, followed by the Jólabókaflóð (“Christmas book flood”) of reading new books.
New Year’s Eve brings neighbourhood bonfires, a much-watched comedy show on television and fireworks across Reykjavik at midnight. Christmas ends on 6 January with more bonfires.
What is Seamen’s Day?
Sjómannadagurinn, or Seamen’s Day, honours Iceland’s fishing heritage and is usually held on the first Sunday in June. Harbour towns around the country celebrate with boat rides, rowing and swimming contests and family events, and Reykjavik’s Old Harbour hosts a festival of the sea.
What should you know before planning a trip around an Icelandic festival?
Book early for the big events. Reykjavik hotels fill quickly for Culture Night in August and Iceland Airwaves in November, so reserve as soon as your dates are set. On public holidays such as National Day on 17 June, and on 24 and 31 December, many shops and some restaurants close early or keep shorter hours, so plan meals and tours around them. Festivals are also a good reason to travel outside the busiest weeks: a winter festival pairs well with a chance of the northern lights.
Which Icelandic festivals suit a first trip?
National Day in June and Culture Night in August are easy introductions: free, outdoors and centred on Reykjavik. In winter, the Winter Lights Festival in February pairs well with a chance of the northern lights.
Plan a trip around an Icelandic festival
See our guides to the best Iceland tours, the best time to visit Iceland and northern lights tours. Then explore our Iceland tours or book a free consultation.
Planning a trip to Iceland
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