You might want to time your trip to events. See important events, celebrations, and festivals happening throughout the year.
January 1: Many grocery stores are closed. Stock up on food ahead of time.
3rd Friday in January: Men’s Day. Instead of Valentine’s day, there is a men’s day and a women’s day in Iceland. On men’s day, wives pamper their husbands and typically have a fancy dinner together.
3rd Sunday in February: Women’s Day. Instead of Valentine’s day, there is a men’s day and a women’s day in Iceland. On women’s day, husbands pamper their wives with flowers, gifts, and other heartwarming acts such as a fancy dinner.
May 18: International Museum Day. Many Icelandic museums welcome guests with free admission.
June 17: National Day of Iceland is celebrated with festivities in every town in the country to commemorate the establishment of a republic in Iceland in 1944.
First Monday after the weekend in August: Labor day. Stores are closed or have special business hours.
October 20: Icelandic Meat Soup Day is celebrated on Skólavörðustígur, the rainbow street that leads to Hallgrímskirkja in downtown Reykjavík. Local restaurants and shopkeepers participate by offering people walking by a free taste of this special soup.
December 24: Christmas Eve is one of the biggest holidays in Iceland. Many stores are closed as families get together for a Christmas dinner and open gifts later in the evening.
December 31: New Year’s Eve is spectacular. It’s celebrated with family and friends gathered together to eat good food, drink, watch the national TV broadcast, then see or light fireworks in the streets. Nowhere in the world are more fireworks used on this holiday so Iceland makes a great destination for a NYE celebration. Many stores are closed or have special business hours.
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