10 Festivals to Make Your Iceland Summer Unforgettable
There’s something truly magical about Iceland summer. Endless daylight, lively festivals, and landscapes that seem pulled from a dream.
Whether you’re grooving to live music under the midnight sun or exploring quiet village fairs, Iceland summer offers adventures for every kind of traveler.
Here’s your complete guide to the best festivals and celebrations during Iceland summer — with local tips to make your trip even more memorable.
June: Celebrate the Light
Viking Festival in Hafnarfjörður
📍 Hafnarfjörður, Southwest Iceland
📅 Mid-June
Step back into the Viking age at Hafnarfjörður’s legendary festival. Watch thrilling battle reenactments, browse artisan markets, and sample traditional Icelandic food — a true Iceland summer classic.
Local Tip:
Families love the Viking workshops and children can make their own shields!
📍 Reykjavík
📅 Around Mid June
Celebrate the longest days of Iceland summer at one of the world’s most unique music festivals. Secret Solstice brings together international artists and local talent for three days of pure energy — all under 24-hour sunlight.
Local Tip:
Tickets snag quickly so make sure to follow their socials!
📍 Nationwide
📅 June 17th
National Day marks Iceland’s independence — and it’s celebrated with pride across the island. Expect colorful parades, street food, concerts, and a joyful spirit that’s infectious.
Local Tip:
Join celebrations in smaller towns for a more personal and cozy Iceland summer experience!
July: Music, Food and Festivities
Lobster Festival in Höfn (Humarhátíð)
📍 Höfn, Southeast Iceland
📅 First weekend of July
Nothing says Iceland summer like feasting on fresh lobster by the sea. Höfn’s Lobster Festival combines food, music, and small-town charm in a perfect weekend getaway. As accommodations are rare on the south coast, staying in Höfn is perfect location to hike a glacier. The most epic glacier hikes are on Falljökull – the falling glacier.
Local Tip:
Try the lobster rolls — the freshest you’ll ever have!
📍 Seyðisfjörður, East Iceland
📅 Mid July
LungA Art Festival is one of the most creative highlights of Iceland summer. Held in the colorful town of Seyðisfjörður, this unique event brings together art, music, and workshops in a stunning East Iceland setting.
Visitors can join exhibitions, live performances, and community art projects during a week full of inspiration and connection. LungA is perfect for travelers looking to experience the artistic side of Iceland summer away from the crowds.
📍 Borgarfjörður Eystri, East Iceland
📅 Late July
Set in an old fish factory, Bræðslan offers a cozy, intimate concert experience during your Iceland summer. Artists and audiences gather under cliffs and beside puffin colonies for a festival that feels like a secret shared only among friends.
Local Tip:
Puffins are nesting nearby — the closest you can get to them in Iceland!
August: Iceland’s Big Summer Finale
The Great Fish Day (Fiskidagurinn Mikli)
📍 Dalvík, North Iceland
📅 First Saturday of August
Dalvík’s free seafood festival is a must for foodies. Enjoy endless tastings of Icelandic seafood, from grilled salmon to hearty fish stews — all served up with smiles and live music. Their all you can eat buffet is free for everyone!
Local Tip:
Get there early — the best dishes are gone by mid-afternoon!
Þjóðhátíð Festival in Vestmannaeyjar
📍 Heimaey, Westman Islands
📅 First weekend of August
The heart and soul of Iceland summer, Þjóðhátíð combines bonfires, fireworks, live music, and emotional group singing into one unforgettable island party. As the biggest multiday festival in Iceland, it is the place to be every year.
Local Tip:
Pack for all weather — rain or shine, the party never stops!
📍 Reykjavík
📅 Early to mid-August
Celebrate diversity and love during Reykjavík’s colorful Pride festival. Streets overflow with parades, concerts, drag shows, and family-friendly activities. Everybody is welcome to celebrate the biggest human rights festival in the city centre.
Local Tip:
The rainbow-painted crosswalks on Laugavegur Street make for great photos all year around!
Menningarnótt (Reykjavík Culture Night)
📍 Reykjavík
📅 Mid to late August
End your Iceland summer in style with Reykjavík’s biggest cultural celebration. Live performances, pop-up galleries, food markets, and a dazzling fireworks display light up the city. The streets are full so pay attention to closed roads and make use of free public transportation.
Local Tip:
Many museums offer free entrance — perfect for a quick culture fix between concerts!
Make Your Iceland Summer Legendary
Iceland summer is about more than just stunning landscapes — it’s a time when the whole country comes alive with music, food, laughter, and celebration.
Whether you’re dancing in the streets of Reykjavík or sharing seafood with strangers in a fishing village, Iceland summer creates memories you’ll never forget.
After the lights and music fade, there’s no better way to reconnect with Iceland’s raw beauty than by heading toward the glaciers.
In Freysnes, you’ll find the perfect base for a glacier hike on Falljökull, one of the most beautiful outlets of Vatnajökull, Europe’s largest glacier. Walking across brilliant blue crevasses and towering ice formations is the ultimate contrast to the energy of the festivals.
Combine your festival visit with an epic road trip along Iceland’s South Coast, and you’ll experience the best of both worlds — vibrant cultural celebrations and the pure, untouched power of nature.
Adventure is never far away if you spend your summer in Iceland!
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