Iceland (Lonely Planet, 7th Edition) - Fran Parnell [6]
DJASSHÁTÍÐ EGILSSTAÐA 3rd weekend in Jun
In eastern Iceland, Egilsstaðir’s annual jazz festival (www.jea.is) takes place at various venues in the area.
MIDSUMMER around 24 Jun
The longest day of the year is celebrated with solstice parties, although the Icelandic midsummer isn’t as major an event as in the rest of Scandinavia. Some superstitious souls roll naked in the midsummer dew for its magical healing powers.
Á SEYÐI mid-Jun–mid-Aug
Seyðisfjörður’s cultural festival teems with exhibitions, workshops and gigs. Its renowned Wednesday-evening concerts are held in the distinctive Blue Church.
LISTASUMAR AKUREYRI late Jun-late Aug
The northern capital of Akureyri’s 10-week annual arts festival attracts artists and musicians from around Iceland, with concerts, theatre performances, street parties and a parade Click here.
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JULY
DÝRAFJARÐARDAGAR 1st weekend in Jul
This festival celebrates the area’s Viking heritage and the saga of local man Gísli Súrsson.
HUMARHÁTÍÐ early Jul
Höfn in southeast Iceland honours the lobster each year with a funfair, flea markets, dancing, music and lots of alcohol.
SUMARTÓNLEIKAR Í SKÁLHOLTSKIRKJU Jul-early Aug
This free, five-week classical-music festival draws international musicians to the church at Skálholt, in southwest Iceland.
ÞJÓÐLAGAHÁTÍÐ Á SIGLUFIRÐI mid-Jul
The tiny but perfect five-day folk-music festival (http://festival.fjallabyggd.is) in Siglufjörður welcomes Icelandic and foreign musicians.
EISTNAFLUG 2nd weekend in Jul
Punk and metal festival, held in the eastern-fjord town of Neskaupstaður.
BRÆÐISLAN 3rd weekend in Jul
The Bræðislan pop/rock festival is earning itself a quality reputation, with big names coming to play in out-of-the-way Borgarfjörður Eystri.
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AUGUST
VERSLUNARMANNAHELGI 1st weekend in Aug
A bank-holiday long weekend when Icelanders flock to rural festivals, family barbecues, rock concerts and wild campsite parties.
ÞJÓDHÁTÍÐ VESTMANNAEYJAR 1st weekend in Aug
This earth-shaking event occurs in Heimaey on the August bank holiday, commemorating the day in 1874 when foul weather prevented the islanders partying when Iceland’s constitution was established. More than 11,000 people descend to watch bands and fireworks, and drink gallons of alcohol.
HERRING FESTIVAL 1st weekend in Aug
On the August bank holiday, one of Iceland’s most enjoyable local festivals takes place, celebrating Siglufjörður’s former days of glory with dancing, feasting, drinking and fish cleaning.
SKAGASTRÖND COUNTRY-MUSIC FESTIVAL 3rd weekend in Aug
A two-day country music festival in Skagaströnd, organised by Hallbjörn Hjartarson, the eccentric self-styled Icelandic Cowboy.
MENNINGARNOTT mid-Aug
On Culture Night Reykjavík turns out in force for a day and night of art, music, dance and fireworks (www.menningarnott.is; Click here).
REYKJAVÍK MARATHON mid-Aug
This race takes place on the same day as Culture Night, with full and half-marathons for the fabulously fit, as well as children’s runs and fun runs. See www.marathon.is for application details and a route map.
REYKJAVÍK JAZZ FESTIVAL mid-Aug
This five-day festival (www.reykjavikjazz.is) attracts international names as well as Iceland’s leading jazz musicians Click here.
GAY PRIDE 3rd weekend of Aug
Merriment and wild costumes as thousands parade carnival-style through the streets of Reykjavík to an open-air stage show featuring live music and entertainment (www.gaypride.is).
DANSKIR DAGAR 3rd weekend of Aug
Stykkishólmur celebrates its Danish roots with bridge dancing and live bands at the Danish Days festival.
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SEPTEMBER
NIGHT OF LIGHTS early Sep
Keflavík’s Ljósanótt í Reykjanesbæ festival (www.ljosanott.is) has a particularly lovely finale, when waterfalls of fireworks pour over the local sea cliffs.
RÉTTIR Sep
Farmers ride into the highlands to round up their sheep for winter. The annual ritual is accompanied by rural celebrations when the sheep are safely home.
REYKJAVÍK INTERNATIONAL FILM