Reykjavík Folk Festival returns on May 1-3, 2025 to mark the 15th anniversary of the first festival. The festival is set up according to an international model where the joy of playing is in the foreground and non-electrified instruments play a central role. The first festival took place in 2010. Originator and first director of the Reykjavik Folk Festival was Ólafur Þórðarson, a beloved musician in Río Trio and other bands, as well as a sponsor of numerous musicians and entertainers through his agency, Thúsund þjalir. Folk music has sometimes been defined as music or musical influences that comes from the common folk, a musical heritage that has been passed down from person to person, from generation to generation. More often than not, this can be attributed to friends or family getting together, singing and playing togeather. The main program of the Reykjavík Folk Festival takes place in Iðnó on Friday May 2nd and Saturday May 3rd. The opening night and of the festival will take place at RVK Bruggfélag in Tónabíó on Thursday, May 1st. Sponsors and collaborators are City of Reykjavík, FÍH, Rás 2, RVK Bruggfélag Tónabíó, Iðnó, Hildiberg, Luxor and Tónastöðin. FESTIVAL PROGRAM Thursday May 1st - RVK Bruggfélag Tónabíó - Free Entry 7:00 pm - Festival opening 8:00 pm - Snorri Helgason 9:00 pm - BREK + Hank & Pattie Friday May 2nd - RVK Bruggfélag Tónabíó - 5:00 pm - MÍT (music college showcase) - Free Entry Birta Dís & HáRún - Iðnó - 7:00 pm - Doors open / Margrét Arnar plays the accordian 8:00 pm - Jelena Ciric 9:00 pm - Pétur Ben 10:00 pm - Salsakommúnan Saturday May 3rd -Tónastöðin music store- 3:00 pm - Roots of the fiddle and banjo - workshop by Hank Smith og Pattie Hopkins Kinlaw, free entry - RVK Bruggfélag Tónabíó - 4:30 pm - Bluegrass jam session - Free Entry. Interested bluegrass pickers welcome to join - Iðnó - 7:00 pm - Doors open/ Reykjavík Trad Sessions jam 8:00 pm - Blood Harmony 9:00 pm - Markéta Irglová 10:00 pm - Júníus Meyvant 11:00 pm-01:00 pm - Reykjavík Trad Sessions jam More information at facebook.com/reykjavikfolkfestival and instagram.com/reykjavikfolkfestival Tickets available at Tix.is https://tix.is/event/19158/reykjavik-folk-festival-2025