Labor Day celebrations bring street closures and events to Reykjavík

Reykjavík’s city center will host a range of celebrations today, May 1st, in honor of International Workers’ Day, with events scheduled from 12:00 to 15:30. As part of the festivities, several streets will be closed temporarily to accommodate parades and gatherings, including the traditional workers’ march.

In addition to labor-focused events, the motorcycle group Sniglarnir will hold a charity group ride, and the Reykjavík Chamber of Commerce is organizing family-friendly entertainment in Klambratún park.

Women lead the march

This year’s workers’ march, beginning at 13:30 on Skólavörðuholt, will be led exclusively by women wearing red stockings — a tribute to the historic Red Stockings Movement of 1970. On that day 55 years ago, women wearing red stockings carried a statue of Venus in a symbolic protest, and after much controversy, were ultimately allowed to join the back of the march.

Now, in 2025, the Workers’ Representative Council is honoring that legacy by inviting these women to lead the parade and deliver all speeches, in recognition of what has been declared Women’s Year .

Declaring 2025 as women’s year

In a public address, the Workers’ Representative Council stated that 2025 will be a year dedicated to women’s rights and equality. Labor organizations are collaborating with feminist, LGBTQ+, and disability advocacy groups in this declaration.

“Although much has changed for the better in recent decades, the fight for equality is far from over,” the statement says. It highlights continued wage inequality and widespread violence against women, adding that "progress is not guaranteed — we are witnessing a backlash."

The address also criticizes government economic policy, claiming essential services in health, education, and welfare have been underfunded for years while taxes for the wealthiest have decreased.

Speeches and performances at Ingólfstorg

An outdoor rally at Ingólfstorg square will begin at 14:00, hosted by playwright and artist Kolbrún Dögg Kristjánsdóttir. Sign language interpretation will be provided by Margrét Baldursdóttir and Lilja Íris Long Birnudóttir.

Speakers include:

• Karla Esperanza Barralaga Ocón , care worker, shop steward, and board member of Efling.
• Jóhanna Bárðardóttir , electrical engineer and trade union steward with the Icelandic Confederation of Labor.

Members of the Red Stockings will also make a brief appearance, and musical performances will follow by Mammaðín and Una Torfa . The event will conclude with a public sing-along.