Of course, people crowd the streets of Höfn during the annual Lobster Festival! Photo: Þorvarður Árnason

Iceland’s summer is a vibrant tapestry of festivals, celebrating everything from the nation’s rich cultural heritage and eccentric events to its natural resources and artistic innovation.

Throughout June, July, and August, the country hosts various events, from music and arts festivals to town celebrations and outdoor activities. These festivals take place all around Iceland, offering unique glimpses into local culture and traditions. Whether honoring fishermen, showcasing heavy metal, or featuring car races and hiking adventures, Iceland’s summer festivals provide an unforgettable experience for everyone.

June

• Sjóarinn síkáti / Festival of the Sea (June 2): A diverse town festival in Grindavík honoring Icelandic fishermen and their families. Due to current circumstances, it will be held at Grandi in Reykjavík.
• Sátan (June 6-8): A three-day heavy metal festival in Stykkishólmi.
• Akureyri Motor Events / Bíladagar (June 13-17): A festival for car enthusiasts featuring races and car displays.
• Viking Festival Hafnarfjörður (June 13-18): A lively celebration of Iceland’s Viking heritage featuring reenactments, traditional crafts, music, and authentic Viking cuisine.
• Berjadagar (June 14-17): A three-day music festival in Ólafsfjörður.
• The Great Forest Day / Skógardagurinn Mikli (June 22): Annual forest festival in Mörkinni, Hallormsstaðaskógi.
• Fjarðabyggð Hiking Week / Á fætur í Fjarðabyggð (June 22-29): A family-friendly week with hikes and activities.
• Brák Festival / Brákarhátíð (June 27-29): Family festival in Borgarnes held in memory of the bondswoman Thorgerdur Brák.
• The Lobster Festival / Humarhátíð (June 27-30): Held in Höfn, featuring lobster soup and various events.

July

• Landsmót - National Icelandic Horse Competition (July 1-7): Iceland’s largest outdoor sporting event showcasing top horses and riders, held biannually since 1950.
• Folk Festival in Siglufjörður (July 3-7): Featuring dances, workshops, and concerts.
• Irish Days / Írskir dagar in Akranes (July 4-7): A town festival in Akranes with concerts, a marketplace, barbecue, and more to celebrate the first settlers in Akranes are believed to have come from Ireland.
• Goslokahátíð in Vestmannaeyjar (July 4-7): A town festival celebrating the end of the 1973 volcanic eruption in Westman Islands.
• Hátíðni Art Festival (July 5-7): An annual summer arts festival in Boðeyri, northern Iceland, celebrating all forms of art-making under the ethos of DIT (Do It Together).
• Heim í Búðardal / Home to Búðardalur (July 5-7): A festival in Búðardalur with concerts, children’s entertainment, dancing and more.
• Bryggjuhátíð á Stokkseyri (July 5-7): A town festival in Stokkseyri with concerts, family fun and more. 
• Bolungarvík Market Weekend / Markaðshelgin (July 5-7): A family festival that combines market, music, and family fun.
• Kótelettan Music Festival (July 11-14): A music festival in Selfoss with farmer’s produce and entertainment.
• Sandara- og rifsaragleði in Hellissandur (July 12-14): A Family-friendly festival. 
• Hríseyjar Festival (July 12-14): Features island tours, beach trips and campfires.
• LungA Art Festival (July 15-21): Art festival in Seyðisfjörður, featuring workshops and concerts. NOTE: 2024 will be the final year.
• Húnavaka Festival in Blönduós (July 18-21): Family entertainment and concerts in Blönduós.
• Running Festival / Hlaupahátíð (July 18-21): Includes races, cycling, swimming, and triathlon in the Westfjords. 
• Bryggjudagar in Þórshöfn (July 19-20): Features concerts, fishing competitions, and family activities.
• French Days on Fáskrúðsfjörður / Franskir Dagar (July 24-28): A cultural festival with a French twist.
• Mærudagar in Húsavík (July 25-28): A town and family festival where the town is divided into three districts with different colors.
• Eldur í Húnaþing (July 24-28): Youth arts festival in Húnaþing.
• Reykholt Chamber Music Festival / Reykholtshátíðin (July 26-28): Music festival focusing on 18th and 19th-century classical music.
• Grundarfjörður Festival (July 26-28): Family- and town festival with concerts, dancing, entertainment and more.
• Bræðslan Festival (July 27): A musical party held yearly in an old abandoned fish factory Borgarfjörður Eystri.
• Trilludagar in Siglufjörður (July 27): Family days in Siglufjörður. 

August

• Verslunarmannahelgi / Commerce Day Weekend (August 2-5): Every year, the first Monday in August is a commerce day holiday and a long holiday weekend filled with outdoor festivals and live music nationwide. Discover the festivities!
• Act Alone - Theater Festival (August 8-10): An annual drama festival in Suðureyri.
• Hamingjan við hafið / Happiness by the Sea (August 6-11): A family festival in Þorlákshöfn celebrating joy and happiness.
• Reykjavík Pride (August 6-11): An annual LGBTQ+ celebration featuring parades, parties, and cultural events to promote diversity and equality.
• Sumar á Selfossi / Summer in Selfoss (August 8-11): A town and family festival that is the biggest town festival in South Iceland.
• Danskir dagar / Danish Days in Stykkishólmi (August 16-18): One of the oldest town festivals in the country. This year it is celebrating its 30th anniversary.
• Blómstrandi Dagar / Blooming Days in Hveragerð (August 17-20): A town festival celebrating the local flora.
• Menningarnótt / Culture Night in Reykjavík (August 24): Culture Night occurs across central Reykjavik, with celebrations in the streets, squares, museums, businesses, and even residential gardens.
• Mosfelssbær Town Festival (August 29 - September): The town festival of Mosfellsbær.
• Hvalfjörður Days (August 16-18): A regional celebration in Hvalfjörður.
• Akureyri Cultural Night (August 30 - September 1): A cultural festival in Akureyri.

Photos: Blooming days festival in the town of Hveragerdi, people walking through the Akureyri Botanical Gardens, and the closing concert during Reykjavik Culture Night.