Iceland Short Break

Reykjavik has more than its fair share of festivals and special events, with new ones popping up almost yearly - here are details of some of the more popular.

FOOD & FUN (March 2012) top international chefs create special gourmet menus in some of the best restaurants in town, and compete for the Chef of the Year Award. Menus are made available to diners at a very reasonable fixed price (table reservations essential).

WINTER LIGHTS FESTIVAL (Feb 2012- Exact date TBA) this celebrates the Nordic winter world and welcomes the ‘growing light after a long period of darkness.’ Events for all the family will entertain visitors and locals alike and many shops, galleries and restaurants also join in the fun.

REYKJAVIK BLUES FESTIVAL (31 Mar-5 Apr 2012) join the 6th Anniversary of the festival which in the past has seen the talented legends of Clapton, Beck and Page perform along side The Yardbirds and other international artists.

REYKJAVIK ARTS FESTIVAL (20 May-5 Jun 2012) the festival is held annually and promotes Icelandic, Scandinavian and International culture through art exhibitions, concerts, theatre, dance and opera performances.

FESTIVAL OF THE SEA (4-5 June 2012) this festival honours people whose lives are or have been linked with the sea. It includes local parades, arts and crafts activities for kids, food fairs and sailing competitions.

INDEPENDENCE DAY (17 June 2012) the National Day, to mark when independence was declared from Denmark in 1944. The greatest celebrations are in Reykjavik with parades, street theatres and music and dancing.

SUMMER SOLSTICE (21 June 2012) local festivals mark the longest day of the year, as authentic as they would have been in the Viking age with people demonstrating arts and crafts, food, song and dance etc.

GAY PRIDE (4-7 Aug 2011) the second biggest festival in Iceland brings tens of thousands of people to Reykjavik to show solidarity. Tourists and locals join in and watch the colourful Grand Parade.

REYKJAVIK JAZZ FESTIVAL (14 – 29 Aug 2011) a 5-day festival presenting live performances of traditional and contemporary jazz in venues around the city, featuring international stars and up-and-coming local talent.

CULTURAL NIGHT (20 Aug 2011) thousands of people converge on the streets and enjoy a night of traditional plays, performance art, special events at galleries, cafés, bars and an impressive fireworks display.

REYKJAVIK MARATHON (20 Aug 2011) participants from all over the world run either a full or half marathon, or a 4.3 mile ‘fun run’. The official programme starts at noon and continue into the early hours.

ICELAND AIRWAVES (13-17 Oct 2011) what started as a showcase for local DJs has evolved into an international music festival across downtown Reykjavik which presents the hottest new bands from the USA, Europe and Iceland.