Summer Festivals in Iceland

Summer in Iceland is a magical season. The midnight sun shines bright throughout the night, so that summer days never seem to end. What’s more, better weather and warmer temperatures make it even easier to enjoy the outdoors. The long days and good weather mean that many Icelanders are in a celebratory mood. As a result, many summer festivals take place across Iceland. Keep reading to learn about some festivals in the area near Hotel Rangá luxury hotel.

Festivals close to Hotel Rangá

What brings people together more than good food? At the Töðugjöld and Kjötsúpuhátíðin festivals in the towns of Hella and Hvolsvöllur, residents work together to prepare traditional Icelandic delicacies in the spirit of celebration.

At both festivals, townspeople open their homes and share delicious dishes with the public. Walk between households and chat with locals over plates of traditional foods. You might even be offered a glass of Icelandic schnapps to sip. Enjoy your tipple while the local troubadour sings folk songs late into the evening.

If you are looking to try a traditional Icelandic meal, make sure to stop by the Kjötsúpuhátíðin festival in Hvolsvöllur. This festival is specifically dedicated to Icelandic meat soup. This hearty meal featuring lamb, potatoes, and turnips has been prepared by Icelanders for centuries. At the Kjötsúpuhátíðin festival, locals put their own twist on the classic soup.

Both the Kjötsúpuhátíðin and Töðugjöld festivals are also wonderful activities for families. During at least one day of the weekend festival, there will be bouncy castles and live performers. Kids of all ages play together in the center of town fueled by good weather and maybe a few candies.

Before you visit our neighboring towns, learn how to pronounce the names of towns in Iceland.

Reykjavík Pride Festival

Reykjavík Pride always takes place in August. It is one of the most popular festivals in Iceland with over 100,000 guests in attendance from many corners of the globe. The festival promotes visibility for the LGBT community and celebrates the right to live and love as you choose.

Events include drag shows, discussions about the ongoing fight for equality, open-mic nights, and more. The festival culminates with the fantastic Reykjavík Pride Parade. Filled with spectacularly decorated floats, amazing fashion ensembles, and a welcoming atmosphere, the Pride Parade is a sight worth seeing.

Reykjavik Pride Parade

Verslunarmannahelgin – Tradesmen’s Weekend

Iceland’s biggest travel weekend of the year, Verslunarmannahelgin or Tradesmen’s Weekend, takes place on the first weekend of August. This public holiday originally negotiated by labor unions for trade workers has evolved into a long weekend filled with outdoor festivals all around the country.

The largest festival known as Þjóðhátíð takes place in the Westman Islands, just a short distance from Hotel Rangá. Featuring long days filled with celebratory bonfires, fireworks, and live music, this is one party that you don’t want to miss. The final Sunday night celebration includes an epic hillside sing-along, as over 10,000 festival-goers join in song under the night sky.

Every year Icelandic musicians create a new song for the festival. Ástin á sér stað was the song of Þjóðhátíð 2016, by Sverrir Bergmann, Friðrik Dór and Albatross.

Menningarnótt – Culture Night

Reykjavík’s Menningarnótt or Culture Night is a day-long celebration of the arts that always takes place in August. This festival offers a fantastic selection of cultural events spread throughout the city center. Walking through downtown Reykjavík, you might stumble across an art installation, a live concert or even a piece of theatre being performed on the city’s streets.

With the slogan “Come on in!” you are more than welcome to partake—all events are free and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to explore, and the city bus Strætó is free of charge during the festival. The night always ends with a glorious fireworks display over the harbor.

The fireworks at The Reykjavík Culture Nights:

Websites for all the festivals

• Verslunarmannahelgin: first weekend of August, see website
• Gay Pride in Reykjavík: mid August, see website
• Töðugjöld in Hella: mid August, see website
• Culture Nights in Reykjavík: late August, see website
• Kjötsúpuhátíðin in Hvolsvöllur: late August, see website

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