Festivals and cultural events Iceland

What could be better than a festival dedicated to lobster to enjoy this local dish in the best conditions? Organised every year at the end of June or beginning of July in Höfn. On this occasion, you will be able to discover lobster in all its forms, as the town's restaurants offer lobster-based menus and street vendors serve lobster snacks! Numerous concerts and events are planned on site and attract locals and tourists alike.

The Skálholt Music Festival is the oldest music festival in Iceland. This festival of classical and religious music, with a slight inclination towards baroque, takes place for five weeks in the heart of summer in Skálholt, about an hour's drive from Reykjavík. During this time you can attend concerts, rehearsals, workshops and other events. Whether you like classical music or just want to have a good time, treat yourself.

This festival dates back to 1938, but Icelandic fishing culture goes back centuries. Anyone who comes to Iceland knows how intimately connected fishing is to the everyday life of Icelanders. To pay homage to its many fishermen, the Fishermen's Day (Sjómannadagur) brings together locals and tourists every year. On this occasion, all fishermen return to port and many sea-related activities are organised in the country's ports. As Iceland's largest fishing port, Reykjavík is ideal for enjoying the moment.

The Listasumar is an eclectic arts festival that takes place in Akureyri every year; it lasts two months and includes concerts, exhibitions, dance, theatre, literature... It is an opportunity to discover Iceland's vibrant art scene and meet locals in an entertaining setting.

It takes place in July, so it is likely to interest you if you are planning a visit to northern Iceland in the summer. You will also be able to enjoy the long days and midnight sunshine of Iceland.

Want to discover the capital in a different way? If you're in Reykjavík at the end of August-beginning of September, don't hesitate to go to one of the performances that take place during the Reykjavík Jazz Festival. A church, public library, hotel, independent theatre or cafe are among the many different venues that house the musicians performing at this festival, which began in 1990. An unusual way to (re)discover some of the venues and enjoy the music in a friendly atmosphere.

Since 1874, this festival has been celebrated on Heimaey, the largest island of the Vestann Islands, in late July and early August. For several days, more than ten thousand Icelanders and foreigners transform the island into a large campsite to party in the open air to the rhythm of rock concerts and fireworks. Remember to book well in advance if you want to stay in a hotel on the island during this event.

Every year in eastern Iceland, in Seyðisfjörður, the LungA Art Festival takes place. This popular festival aims to bring visitors together around creation, culture and art. You will be able to discover young artists in the field of plastic art, design and music with a fashion show and concerts by Icelandic artists, some of whom are sometimes known as Sóley or the women's rap group Reykjavikurdaetur. A local event to discover if you travel to Iceland's fjords in the summer.

If you walk around Faskrudsfjördur, you will surely be surprised to find signs in English! The city has indeed welcomed dozens of French ships from the 19th century onwards. At the end of July, there is a three-day French Days festival at the end of July, which is a good-natured family festival. And of course, a few days earlier (July 14), the French national holiday is celebrated through Flag Day. Don't hesitate to take a look at the former French hospital, as well as at the museum of the French in Iceland.