Perlan museum at winter
  • Home
  • Winter in Reykjavik

Winter in Reykjavik

There’s never a dull day in Reykjavík during the wintertime, even if the days are dark!

Apart from the occasional fall of luminous snow and regular displays of Northern Lights, there’s also a full calendar of cultural events with festivities galore, concerts, plays and many seasonal exhibitions.

Compiled below are various activities, which are sure to make your winter experience in Iceland memorable.

 

Dark Music Days
Dark music days logo

January 25th - 28th 2024

Dark Music Days is an annual music festival that has lit up the darkest period of the Icelandic winter in Reykjavík for over 40 years. It offers an exciting environment that caters to the curious mind with high-quality music and world-class performers

Winter Lights Festival
Hallgrímskirkja lid up at a Winter Lights Festival

February 1st - 4th 2024

The long winter days of darkness in Reykjavík will be illuminated magnificently at the city’s next annual Winter Lights Festival.

Food and Fun Festival
Food

March 6th - 10th 2024

With extraordinary culinary talent, a selection of quality Icelandic ingredients combined with countless adventures and the chance to experience Reykjavík’s world-famous nightlife, the Food and Fun festival mixes a variety of exciting elements to create the ultimate recipe for fun.

 

Iceland Airwaves
band playing at airwaves

2.- 4. November 2023

Iceland Airwaves is a critically acclaimed international music festival showcasing the hottest new international bands and the best up-and-coming Icelandic artists.

Bláfjöll
Man skiing

Iceland’s number one skiing area, Bláfjöll Ski Resort, is just a half-hour drive away from Reykjavík.  It's both very popular with tourists as well as Icelanders and is especially known for its spectacular views and varied landscapes. It´s open when there's snow and weather permitting.

Geothermal Pools & Spas
Geothermal pools

Swimming pools in Iceland are nothing like in most European Cities. If you truly want to follow in the footsteps of the locals, you should visit one of Reykjavík's 18 swimming pools.

The Northern Lights
The northern lights over Reykjavík skyline

Iceland is renowned for its otherworldly illuminations, the Northern Lights being one remarkable example. Also known as the Aurora Borealis, the Northern Lights can be experienced in Iceland during winter, where they appear in a variety of colours and forms.

Lighting of the Oslo Christmas Tree
The Oslo Christmas tree

For decades the lighting of the Oslo Christmas tree has marked the beginning of our Christmas preparations in the city.

December in Reykjavík
christmas tree

Our wonderful Holiday season, crowned regularly with displays of enchanting Northern Lights, is one of the city’s main winter attractions; however, it’s not just those otherworldly illuminations and extravagant decorations getting all the attention.

New Year's Eve in Reykjavík
Fireworks over Hallgrímskirkja

Join 200,000 people on New Year's Eve as the city's population unleashes an unforgettable epic display of fireworks! This legendary night is very much created by the people of Reykjavik who collectively do an amazing job.

10 Free Things To Do In Reykjavík
Harpa concert hall

Who doesn't love free stuff? Reykjavík can easily be enjoyed on a budget. Here are the top things to do in Reykjavík that don't cost a thing.

Museums & galleries

National Gallery of Iceland
Ásmundarsafn
Water in Icelandic Nature | Icelandic Museum of Natural History
Asmundarsalur
Sigurjón Ólafsson Museum
Ásgrímur Jónsson collection
Árbær Open Air Museum
Gerðarsafn Art Museum
Reykjavík Art Museum - Kjarvalsstaðir
Hafnarborg - the Hafnarfjörður Centre of Culture and Fine Art
Grófin City Library
Nesstofa Medical History Museum
Perlan Museum
Gljúfrasteinn
Saga Museum
The National Museum of Iceland
The House of Collections
Viðey Island
Hafnarfjörður Museum
The Einar Jónsson Sculpture Museum

#visitreykjavik