Iceland Festivals and Holidays 2026: The Ultimate Self-Drive Calendar with Zero Car

Quick Summary

Iceland’s festivals and public holidays in 2026 span the entire year, from deep winter traditions to peak summer celebrations and a rare total solar eclipse in August. This guide is written specifically for travelers planning a self-drive trip, focusing on how events affect road conditions, accommodation demand, and daily logistics.

Before locking any itinerary, review driving rules and road conditions in Iceland to understand seasonal risks and realistic driving times. Vehicle choice matters as well. Winter and shoulder-season trips often benefit from 4x4 rental cars for winter driving in Iceland, while summer travelers on paved routes may prefer electric car rental for summer road trips.

January 2026

January 1: New Year’s Day (public holiday, closures)

January 6: Þrettándinn, the Thirteenth Day of Christmas, marked by bonfires and fireworks in some towns

Mid-January to mid-February: Þorri season, rooted in Iceland’s old Norse calendar

January 21 to 26: Reykjavík International Games

January 29 to 31: Dark Music Days, Reykjavík

January has short daylight and fast weather swings. Use winter driving rules in Iceland as a daily reference. If you plan to leave the capital area, a 4x4 rental for icy and windy roads adds a meaningful safety margin.

February 2026

February 5 to 8: Reykjavík Winter Lights Festival

February 16 to 18: Carnival period with Bun Day, Blast Day, and Ash Wednesday traditions

February combines strong cultural experiences with full winter conditions. Wind exposure is often the main challenge outside Reykjavík. For realistic pacing ideas, follow an off-season self-drive itinerary in Iceland.

March 2026

March: Late winter cultural season with food and music events that vary by year

Daylight improves, but storms remain possible. Travelers combining Reykjavík events with the South Coast should review Reynisfjara black sand beach safety rules before adding it to a winter or early-spring route.

April 2026

April 2 to 6: Easter weekend, including Maundy Thursday through Easter Monday, with widespread closures

April 3 to 4: Aldrei Fór Ég Suður music festival in Ísafjörður, Westfjords

April 15 to 16: Reykjavík Blues Festival, dates to be confirmed

April 21 to 26: Children’s Culture Festival, Reykjavík

April 24: Sumardagurinn fyrsti, the First Day of Summer public holiday

April is true shoulder season, and conditions vary sharply by region. If you want a quieter but still rewarding route, plan around a flexible off-season self-drive plan rather than fixed daily distances.

May 2026

May 1: Labor Day, public holiday

May 6 to 10: DesignMarch, Reykjavík

May 14: Ascension Day, public holiday

May 24 to 25: Whit Sunday and Whit Monday closures

May 30 to June 14: Reykjavík Arts Festival, held in even years

May is one of the easiest months for Ring Road travel. EVs become a practical option on paved routes, especially if you follow practical tips for renting an electric car in Iceland and choose from electric cars suited to Iceland’s Ring Road.

June 2026

June 1 to 7: Reykjavík Fringe Festival, dates to be confirmed

June 7: Fishermen’s Day with Festival of the Sea celebrations nationwide

June 12 to 17: Viking Festival in Hafnarfjörður, dates to be confirmed

June 17: Icelandic National Day, public holiday with parades and events

June 18 to 20: Arctic Open golf tournament in Akureyri

June marks the start of peak self-drive season. First-time visitors often combine festivals with a Golden Circle self-drive itinerary and scenic days based on the best waterfalls to visit by car.

July 2026

July 1 to 5: Siglufjörður Folk Music Festival

July 5 to 12: Landsmót, the Icelandic horse convention, held in even years at rotating locations

July 31 to August 3: Þjóðhátíð National Festival in the Westman Islands

July offers the easiest driving of the year but also the highest traffic. Early starts and fewer stops per day improve the experience. Many travelers build summer routes around waterfall-focused self-drive days.

August 2026

August 3: Commerce Day, public holiday on the first Monday of August

August 4 to 9: Reykjavík Pride

August 7 to 9: Innipúkinn Music Festival, dates to be confirmed

August 12: Total Solar Eclipse visible across large parts of Iceland

August 22: Culture Night, Menningarnótt, in Reykjavík

August 25 to 30: Reykjavík Jazz Festival

August 2026 will be exceptionally busy due to the eclipse. Route planning should focus on short driving distances and backup viewing locations. For logistics and positioning, follow where to see the 2026 solar eclipse in Iceland by car.

September 2026

September: Réttir sheep roundup season across rural Iceland

September 24 to October 4: Reykjavík International Film Festival

September combines lighter crowds with returning darkness. Travelers planning aurora evenings alongside city events should use Northern Lights self-drive routes in Iceland to choose locations safely.

October 2026

October 9: Imagine Peace Tower lighting begins on Viðey Island

October weather is more volatile, especially along the coast. If your itinerary includes longer drives, 4x4 cars suited to autumn driving reduce fatigue and risk.

November 2026

November 4 to 7: Iceland Airwaves, Reykjavík

Late November: Christmas markets and seasonal events begin

Airwaves creates a sharp demand spike in Reykjavík. Travelers arriving at KEF benefit from knowing how to survive at Keflavík Airport before arrival.

December 2026

December 23: St. Þorlákur’s Day

December 24: Christmas Eve, with early business closures

December 25 to 26: Christmas Day and Second Day of Christmas, closures

December 31: New Year’s Eve, with bonfires and fireworks nationwide

December requires conservative planning and minimal late-night driving. Use Iceland road rules and winter safety tips as your baseline and choose 4x4 rental cars for winter roads if leaving Reykjavík.

Last reviewed and updated for 2026 travel planning.