Merchants’ Weekend Festivals

The biggest travel weekend of the year, Merchants’ Weekend, is coming up. The first weekend of August is when young Icelanders flock to campsites all around the country to enjoy festivities of various sorts. Monday is a public holiday, so this is a long weekend. Here is a list of most of the festivals:

Probably the best know festival, Þjóðhátíð , takes place in Vestmannaeyjar islands. The line-up of musicians includes Herra Hnetusmjör, GDRN, Páll Óskar, JóiPé og Króli, as well as Bjartmar and Svala Björgvins, just to name a few. The festival is known for its big bonfire, fireworks and public singing on the hill. Admission for the whole weekend is ISK 24,900.

Innipúkinn Festival will be held in Reykjavík at the bars Bryggjan brugghús and Messinn Granda. It is intended for those who decide not to travel during the weekend, and the name roughly translates as ‘the couch potato.’ Bands and musicians at the festival include Between Mountains, Blóðmör, Dj Flugvél og geimskip, Frikki Dór, Moses Hightower, and more. Age limit: 20. Admission: ISK 6,990.

In Akureyri, there will be the Iceland Summer Games and Ein með öllu . There will be music, dance, athletic events, amusement parks, and more. One of the races involves running up the church steps, which are many, for Akureyri Church stands on a high hill. Age limit for the campsite: 18.

In Bolungarvík , the West Fjords, the European Championship in Swamp Soccer (Mýrarbolti) will be held. Teams, as well as individuals, are welcome to register. The line-up of musicians includes Flóni, Anton Lini, Flósi V, DJ Kolka, and more. Age limit for participating in swamp soccer and for admission to dance nights: 18.

Neistaflug will be held in Neskaupstaður , the East Fjords, starting Wednesday. This is a family-friendly festival with a golf tournament and a box car rally, to name just a couple. Musicians include Nýdönsk, Papar, Matti Matt, Einar Ágúst, Daði Freyr, Eyþór Ingi, and more. Age limit varies, depending on events. Weekend pass: ISK 9,900.

Flúðir um versló will be held in Flúðir, South Iceland. This is a family festival, including a bonfire and public singing. There will be acting, as well as a funny boat contest, and more. Musicians include Eyþór Ingi, Stuðlabandið, Aron Can, and more. Age limit for campsite: 23. Weekend dance pass: ISK 7,990.

In Vatnaskógur woods , West Iceland, YMCA and YWCA in Iceland plan a drug- and alcohol-free festival. You can row a boat, sing, play games, and enjoy outdoor activities. Muscian: Páll Óskar.

The Fíladelfía Church will have a festival, Kotmót, in Kirkjulækjarkot, Hvolsvöllur , South Iceland. Musicians: KK, Samuel Ljungblahd and Kristine Bærendsen. Free admission.

Norðanpaunk, a punk festival, will be held in Laugarbakki , Northwest Iceland, where 50 musicians and bands are expected. No age limit.

In Siglufjörður , North Iceland, among the entertainment on offer is coffee with knitting, a beer concert, an art exhibition, art workshops and a vintage car show. Musicians include Þorvaldssynir, the trio Regína, Karlotta, Herra Hnetusmjör, and more. No age limit. Free admission.

The Icelandic Youth Association will hold and alcohol- and drug-free family festival in Höfn , Hornafjörður, Southeast Iceland. Youths, aged 11-18, will compete in all sorts of sports and enjoy diverse entertainment. Musicians include DJ Sura, Úlfur Úlfur, Salka Sól, Daði Freyr, Bríet, Una Stef and GDRN.

Please visit the event websites for more information regarding entertainment, admission fees and age limits.

Below, you can see a map of the different locations.