The National Broadcasting Service compiled a list of events and festivals taking place all over the country during Verslunarmannahelgin, the businessman’s holiday in Icelandic, which takes place this coming weekend. Traditionally, businesses give their personnel the first Monday in August off, a custom that continues to this day.
1. The biggest festival is without a doubt Þjóðhátíð in the Vestmannaeyjar islands, South Iceland, which begins tonight with the Húkkaraball dance. Highlights include a massive bonfire on Friday night, a mind-blowing fireworks show on Saturday night, and, most impressive of all, an eruption of red torches that light up the valley and represent the Island’s volcanic flames.
2. In Neskaupsstaður, East Iceland, people celebrate Neistaflug. The family event offers a variety of children’s entertainment and activities, concerts, brunch, and a bonfire, among other things. The weather forecast for the Eastfjords is dry but cold.
3. Ein með öllu takes place in Akureyri, known as the capital of the north. The family festival includes a funfair, bubble ball soccer, a muffin market in the botanic gardens, and numerous concerts at Græni hatturinn. The IMO predicts rain in the northern regions, so pack your rain gear.
4. Not far from Akureyri, you’ll find Siglufjörður and the Síldarævintýrið, or The Great Herring Adventure, packed with entertainment for the whole family. The festival builds on the fact that herring was the first fish Icelanders caught and exported. In 1969, the herring vanished due to over-fishing, which meant that families in small towns across the country had lost their main source of income. Rainshowers are to be expected in Siglufjörður during the weekend.
5. The World Championship in Swamp Soccer takes place in Ísafjörður town in the Westfjords during the weekend. The game was recently named the second weirdest form of football played anywhere in the world. Heavy rainfall is expected in the area during the weekend.
6. Innipúkinn music festival will be held in downtown Reykjavík over the bank holiday weekend. Innipúkinn 2015 takes place simultaneously at two neighboring music venues: Húrra and Gaukurinn, in Naustin street. This year‘s line up features acts such as Amaba Dama, Maus, Retro Stefson, Úlfur Úlfur, and Crespo's Gang, to name only a few. Tickets and festival passes can be bought through Midi.is. The weather in Reykjavík is supposed to stay mostly dry.
The National Broadcasting Service compiled a list of events and festivals taking place all over the country during Verslunarmannahelgin, the businessman’s holiday in Icelandic, which takes place this coming weekend. Traditionally, businesses give their personnel the first Monday in August off, a custom that continues to this day.
1. The biggest festival is without a doubt Þjóðhátíð in the Vestmannaeyjar islands, South Iceland, which begins tonight with the Húkkaraball dance. Highlights include a massive bonfire on Friday night, a mind-blowing fireworks show on Saturday night, and, most impressive of all, an eruption of red torches that light up the valley and represent the Island’s volcanic flames.
2. In Neskaupsstaður, East Iceland, people celebrate Neistaflug. The family event offers a variety of children’s entertainment and activities, concerts, brunch, and a bonfire, among other things. The weather forecast for the Eastfjords is dry but cold.
3. Ein með öllu takes place in Akureyri, known as the capital of the north. The family festival includes a funfair, bubble ball soccer, a muffin market in the botanic gardens, and numerous concerts at Græni hatturinn. The IMO predicts rain in the northern regions, so pack your rain gear.
4. Not far from Akureyri, you’ll find Siglufjörður and the Síldarævintýrið, or The Great Herring Adventure, packed with entertainment for the whole family. The festival builds on the fact that herring was the first fish Icelanders caught and exported. In 1969, the herring vanished due to over-fishing, which meant that families in small towns across the country had lost their main source of income. Rainshowers are to be expected in Siglufjörður during the weekend.
5. The World Championship in Swamp Soccer takes place in Ísafjörður town in the Westfjords during the weekend. The game was recently named the second weirdest form of football played anywhere in the world. Heavy rainfall is expected in the area during the weekend.
6. Innipúkinn music festival will be held in downtown Reykjavík over the bank holiday weekend. Innipúkinn 2015 takes place simultaneously at two neighboring music venues: Húrra and Gaukurinn, in Naustin street. This year‘s line up features acts such as Amaba Dama, Maus, Retro Stefson, Úlfur Úlfur, and Crespo's Gang, to name only a few. Tickets and festival passes can be bought through Midi.is. The weather in Reykjavík is supposed to stay mostly dry.