Most public holidays in Iceland are based on Nordic and Christian traditions. Some of these holidays are celebrated during spring and summer, including the national holiday, and Commerce Day. Here’s a list of public holidays fast approaching.
5 May, Ascension Day (Uppstigningardagur)
Ascension Day commemorates the bodily ascension of Jesus into heaven and is celebrated on a Thursday, the 40th day of Easter. It has been one of the most important holidays of the Icelandic Church since 1200, however, no specific traditions or customs surround this day in Iceland.
16 May, Whit Monday (Annar í hvítasunnu)
Whit Monday is celebrated the day after Pentecost. In Iceland, the day is called “the second Whitsun”.
17 June, National holiday (Lýðveldisdagurinn)
Icelanders celebrate the country’s national holiday on the 17th of June. The day commemorates Iceland’s independence from Danish rule and the republic’s foundation. The date was picked to coincide with the birthday of the independence movement’s leader Jón Sigurðsson.
Along with the usual festivities, the day is celebrated across the country with parades and a speech from Fjallkonan (The Lady of the Mountains), the female personification of the island.
1 August, Commerce Day (Frídagur verslunarmanna)
The first weekend of August is known as “Verslunarmannahelgi” in Iceland. Traditionally, businesses give their personnel the first Monday in August off, a custom that continues to this day. The three-day-long bank holiday is celebrated all over Iceland with massive outdoor festivals and concerts.
Most public holidays in Iceland are based on Nordic and Christian traditions. Some of these holidays are celebrated during spring and summer, including the national holiday, and Commerce Day. Here’s a list of public holidays fast approaching.
5 May, Ascension Day (Uppstigningardagur)
Ascension Day commemorates the bodily ascension of Jesus into heaven and is celebrated on a Thursday, the 40th day of Easter. It has been one of the most important holidays of the Icelandic Church since 1200, however, no specific traditions or customs surround this day in Iceland.
16 May, Whit Monday (Annar í hvítasunnu)
Whit Monday is celebrated the day after Pentecost. In Iceland, the day is called “the second Whitsun”.
17 June, National holiday (Lýðveldisdagurinn)
Icelanders celebrate the country’s national holiday on the 17th of June. The day commemorates Iceland’s independence from Danish rule and the republic’s foundation. The date was picked to coincide with the birthday of the independence movement’s leader Jón Sigurðsson.
Along with the usual festivities, the day is celebrated across the country with parades and a speech from Fjallkonan (The Lady of the Mountains), the female personification of the island.
1 August, Commerce Day (Frídagur verslunarmanna)
The first weekend of August is known as “Verslunarmannahelgi” in Iceland. Traditionally, businesses give their personnel the first Monday in August off, a custom that continues to this day. The three-day-long bank holiday is celebrated all over Iceland with massive outdoor festivals and concerts.
