It's the perfect time of year to take in some contemplative and contemporary music.

Dark Music Days (Myrkir músíkdagar in Icelandic) is a contemporary Icelandic music festival held annually in January in Reykjavík, Iceland. Established by the Society of Icelandic Composers in 1980, the festival emphasizes premiering new and often experimental pieces reflecting contemporary music's ever-growing diversity and creativity.

Although the festival's main focus is new Icelandic works, Dark Music Days presents both Icelandic and international contemporary music in the renowned Harpa Concert Hall and other prominent venues in the Capital Area. Among the highlights are Gyða Valtýsdóttir, Ragga Gísla, GROWL POWER - The music of Bára Gísladóttir, Cantoque Ensemble´s portrayal of Thorkell Sigurbjörnsson through his choral works and Iceland Symphony Orchestra's premiere of The Wanderer Symphony—a true feast for both eyes and ears. With over 20 events on the 2024 program, Dark Music Days will host prominent Icelandic composers and artists as well as international guests who are excited to both perform and experience world-class performances, along with exchanging views with colleagues and like-minded contemporary music enthusiasts at talks and gatherings during the festival's delegate program. Dark Music Days are held in collaboration with Iceland Music, Reykjavik Music City, and Harpa Concert Hall with generous support from the Icelandic National Music Fund.

The full program for Dark Music Days 2024 is available at Dark Music Days, with information on individual events also available on the festival's Facebook page.

Tickets are sold at tix.is.

(L to R) Flutist Björg Brjánsdóttir, Jónas Ásgeir Ásgeirsson, and Ragga Gísla and Cauda Collective. Photos: Myrkir músíkdagar.