Iceland Festivals

What: International Annual Viking Festival
Where: Hafnarfjör
When: 6 – 17 June
The Viking Village in Hafnarfjör, hosts this annual festival celebrating Iceland’s wild and adventurous first settlers. Enthusiasts from around the world dress in Viking costume ready to display their battle skills to whoever challenges them! Arts and crafts, games and a traditional Viking feast are also on the schedule.

What: Independence day
Where: All over Iceland
When: 17 June
Icelanders take to the streets in the world’s biggest block party to celebrate independence from the Danish crown in 1944. Festivities include colourful ceremonies, parades, street theatre, sideshows and dancing in the midnight sun.

What: Summer Solstice Festival
Where: All over Iceland
When: 21 June
A magical event when Icelanders gather throughout the country to celebrate the midnight sun on the longest day of the year. Some believe that if you roll naked in the dew on this day, all your dreams will come true! Get-togethers often involve bonfires, a feast and merriment throughout the night during which the sun never sets.

What: Mývatn Midnight Sun Marathon
Where: Lake Mývatn
When: 21 June
Amid the stunning scenery of Lake Mývatn in North Iceland, runners of all abilities take part in the 13, 10 or three km races.

What: Arctic Open Golf Tournament
Where: Akureyri
When: 26-28 June
In Akureyri, just south of the Arctic Circle, tee off at midnight in golden sunlight and play through the night in a marvellous natural setting. Open midnight-sun tournaments are also held in Reykjavík and the Westman Islands (Vestmannaeyjar). Visit www.arcticopen.is and www.golf.is.

What: Ultra Marathon
Where: Laugavegur
When: 10-14 July
From Landmannalaugar in the Highlands to Thorsmork nature reserve in the South Highlands, this 55 km race is not for the faint hearted. The route through beautiful scenery and challenging terrain, comprising sand, gravel, snow and ice, the race is the ultimate endurance test.

What: Verslunarmannahelgi / Shopkeeper’s holiday
Where: Þjóðhátíð Í Eyjum/ End of eruption, Wesfman Islands
When: 1-3 August
On the first weekend of August, Icelanders celebrate their annual “shopkeeper's” holiday all over the country with numerous parties and festivals. The best known and biggest is Þjóðhátíð, located on the Westman Islands.

The outdoors festival programme includes music and entertainment during this weekend of 24/7 partying and camping. The event culminates in a spectacular fireworks display symbolising volcanic eruptions for which these islands are famous. www.visitwestmanislands.com

What: Reykjavik Gay Pride
Where: Reykjavik
When: 7 - 9 August
Dress to impress at this boisterous celebration in Reykjavík. The colourful event brings tens of thousands of people together in the city centre every year. The event has expanded to become the second biggest festival in Iceland, after Reykjavik Cultural Night. The Parade and open air show down town, features local and international performers. For further information see: www.gaypride.is

What: Reykjavik Cultural Night
Where: Reykjavik
When: 23 August
Cultural Night in Reykjavik is the pinnacle of the cultural calendar in Iceland. Cultural Night offers the chance to enjoy a variety of eclectic events and activities ranging from traditional shows and one-off exhibitions. Galleries, shops, cafes, churches, restaurants and bars in downtown of Reykjavik stay open until late and the event ends with a spectacular fireworks show at midnight! The immensely popular Reykjavik Marathon takes place on the same day.

What: Reykjavik Marathon
Where: Reykjavik
When: 23 August
This annual event involves thousands of participants from Iceland and abroad. Raves include a full marathon, half marathon and a fun run (4.3 miles). www.marathon.is

What: Sequences 2008
Where: Iceland
When: 11-17 October
First held in 2006, Sequences is an annual independent arts festival, which celebrates cutting edge visual time-based art such as performance, video and music. With a special emphasis of art in public and urban spaces, the festival showcases dynamic young Icelandic and international artistic talent and overlaps with the Iceland Airwaves festival. www.sequences.is

What: Iceland Airwaves
Where: Reykjavik
When: 15-19 October
This ultra cool annual festival first hit Reykjavík in 1999 and has since attracted an impressive list of international performers. In 2008, the following artists were announced: Foreign: CSS (Brazil), Yelle (France), Final Fantasy, Crystal Castles, Simian Mobile Disco, These New Puritans, Handsome Furs, Dirty Projectors, White Lies, Young Knives, Junior Boys and Familjen. Icelandic: Gus Gus, Reykjavík!, FM Belfast, Ghostigital, Hjaltalín, Steed Lord, Dýrðin, Dikta, Borko, Retro Stefson, Dr. Spock, Seabear, Skakkamanage, Glutus Maximus and Sprengjuhöllin. www.icelandairwaves.com

16 May 2008