Culture Night in Reykjavik: The Ultimate Guide

What to Know About Culture Night

As one of the biggest events in Iceland, Culture Night serves an integral role in the Icelandic art and music scene by celebrating artists and performers. For many, it's the most anticipated day of the year and here's what you need to know when taking part!

History of Culture Night

Photo taken from the Menningarnott Reykjavik website. People gathered on Arnarholl hill.

Culture Night is held yearly on the first Saturday after August 18th, the "birthday" of Reykjavik city. The first one took place in 1996 to celebrate the 210 years of Reykjavik city, with the goal of offering fun cultural events for the whole family.

The idea of Culture Night centered around museums, galleries, restaurants, cafés, and more locations being open from the late evening until dawn, where guests could enjoy all sorts of interesting, family-friendly events and activities. It was inspired by similar celebrations in other European cities, and organizers wanted to create a night where everyone could enjoy Reykjavik's rich culture for free.

This first Culture Night was a great success, drawing enthusiastic crowds, and since then, it's become an integral part of the yearly calendar. It's only grown in size, and today, events aren't only limited to the evening but go on throughout the whole day.

The entire city center comes alive with music, art installations, performances, and even street food. It formally ends just before midnight with a huge fireworks show, followed by a night of partying. It's a fantastic way to experience Icelandic culture and the friendly spirit of Reykjavik!

Where to Go on Culture Night

Photo from Flickr, Creative Commons, by mike.

On Culture Night, the whole downtown Reykjavik area will be buzzing with life, but there are a few key places where you can expect to find people gathered to enjoy the festivities. The schedule changes every year, but you'll find that most people gather around the streets of Laekjargata and Austurstraeti, along with Ingolfstorg square, and Arnarholl hill.

The charm of the day, however, lies in simply wandering around the Reykjavik center, discovering surprising activities, and taking in the atmosphere! Most museums and cultural institutions are open and free to access, so make sure to use the opportunity to visit.

You can find the event schedule on the Reykjavik Culture Night website. Make sure to check it out and plan your day ahead of time to make sure you don't miss out!

• Check out the Ultimate Guide to Downtown Reykjavik
• Learn more about the Best Museums in Iceland

Culture Night During the Day

Photo from Reykjavik City website. Dancers in front of the Harpan Concert House on Culture Night.

While it's called Culture Night, there are plenty of fun, family-friendly activities that take place during the day! The earlier events generally start around lunch, so it's a great idea to begin the day with a tasty breakfast or brunch in Reykjavik before checking out all the activities.

You can expect events at most museums, galleries, and even libraries in Reykjavik, many of which center around art exhibits or creative workshops. It's also common to see guided tours of cultural institutions on the schedule, such as the Harpa Concert Hall and the National Museum of Iceland, though they're generally only offered in Icelandic.

Photo from Flickr, Creative Commons, by Sævar Helgi Bragason. Astronomical photography exhibition by Hallgrimskirkja church on Culture Night, 2009.

There are usually exhibitions and performances on the city streets, along with flea markets and garage sales. Some locals even open their homes and offer waffles and coffee in the afternoon!

Wherever you go in Reykjavik, you're sure to find things going on, so take the time to explore. If you feel lost, just follow the crowds or check out the Culture Night schedule.

• Try the Best Brunch in Reykjavik to fuel your day
• If you're an early bird, check out the Best Breakfast Places in Reykjavik!

 What to Do With Kids on Culture Night

In 2023, the National Museum of Iceland hosted a market with the Rimmugygur Viking reenactment group. Photo from the National Museum of Iceland.

During Culture Night, Reykjavik transforms into a giant playground for curious minds. With so much to see and do, it's the perfect time to explore the city with your little ones!

Many museums offer special activities geared towards kids, like face painting, arts and crafts workshops, or even interactive exhibits and events. Also, keep an eye out for scavenger hunts and silent discos, which have been very popular in recent years.

As you walk around Reykjavik, you may also see jugglers, magicians, and street musicians keep everyone entertained, though this will depend on each year's schedule. Most cafés and restaurants also stay open, so grab a warm drink and a delicious treat to fuel your adventures. If luck is with you and the weather is nice, you can even enjoy an afternoon coffee break in one of the parks in Reykjavik!

• See more: What to Do with Young Kids in the Reykjavik Area
• See also: What to Do with Older Kids in the Reykjavik Area

 The Reykjavik Marathon on Culture Night

Photo taken from Reykjavíkurmaraþon Íslandsbanka, by Bjarki Jóhannsson.

One event has become an integral part of Culture Night, and that is the Reykjavik Marathon! It has taken place yearly since 1984 (except in 2020 and 2021), and there are four different categories you can participate in.

For those in it for the good times, there's the short and family-friendly Fun Run, which covers a distance of either 1 mile (1,7 kilometers) or 1.8 miles (3 kilometers). It leads through Reykjavik's winding streets and is a great way to explore some of the city if you're in an extreme hurry!

The most popular lengths are the 6,2-mile (10-kilometer) run and the half marathon (13,11 miles/21,1 kilometers). They lead all the way to Seltjarnarnes, with the half marathon also going past most of the Reykjavik coastline.

Photo from Flickr, Creative Commons, by Helgi Halldórsson.

For those who want to truly challenge themselves, take on the full 26,2-mile marathon (42,2 kilometers). It goes around a large part of Reykjavik and reaches all the way to Ellidaardalur valley!

If you choose to race, you can expect enthusiastic cheers from spectators and a contagious city vibe. You can easily register for the run on the Reykjavik Marathon website. If you prefer to take it easy, participate in the fun with the onlookers.

You can also show your support directly, as many participants of the Reykjavik Marathon run in support of a specific charity. People can choose a runner to support with donations, and all money goes to the runner's chosen charity.

Every year, many organizations receive a great deal of funding from runners and their supporters. In 2023, a new record amount was raised, with a total of 199,932,170 Icelandic Krona being donated, which is approximately 1,433,925 USD!

Culture Night During the Evening

Photo taken from the website of Reykjavik City. The free open-air concert on Arnarholl hill in 2023.

The evening is the time Culture Night really amps up. There are concerts all around the Reykjavik center, but the biggest one by far is on Arnarholl hill where a huge crowd gathers to enjoy music by popular Icelandic artists for free! The line-up changes yearly, but it's always the biggest event of Culture Night, with people of all ages attending.

There are also smaller concerts going on in cafés, bars, and galleries if you want a more intimate atmosphere. Some exhibitions and activities also stretch on to late in the evening if you prefer something different.

If you're planning on grabbing dinner at a restaurant, make sure to book with good notice, as they tend to be packed on Culture Night. In recent years, there has also been a food truck celebration called the Street Bite or "Götubitinn," which is a lot of fun and goes on throughout the day and evening. Just make sure to check the current schedule to see if it will be on offer when you're taking part!

• Enjoy a dinner at one of the Best Restaurants in Reykjavik!

Photo from Flickr, Creative Commons, by Finnur Malmquist.  

As the evening progresses, the mood shifts and the famous Reykjavik nightlife takes over! The Culture Night formally ends with a huge fireworks show in the Reykjavik harbor, which starts at 11 PM. Everyone gathers in the city center or around high points around the Capital Region to take in the splendor. Afterward, the night of partying can really begin.

Along with New Year's Eve, Culture Night is one of the biggest party nights of the year in Iceland, so you should definitely stay downtown if experiencing it is on your bucket list. Just know that the bars and clubs will be very crowded!

• Check out the Reykjavik Nightlife Guide: The Best Bars and Clubs in Iceland
• Learn more about New Year's Eve in Iceland

Photo from Flickr, Creative Commons, by Rog01. The concert on Arnarholl hill is the biggest event of Culture Night.

Culture Night is one of the best times to be in Reykjavik, as there are so many great events and activities to try! Get to know different Icelandic artists, listen to local music, learn about the culture, try tasty food, and much more.

Make sure to plan a weekend in Reykjavik if you're visiting Iceland around the first Saturday after August 18th. You're sure to have a great time taking in the lively atmosphere among the locals, with no risk of running out of fun things to experience!

Will you take part in Culture Night this August? Are there any specific events you wouldn't want to miss out on? Have you taken part in an Icelandic festival before? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!