Leisure and culture
Swimming Pools
The Committee for Sport and Leisure in Reykjavík operates 7 public swimming pools in Reykjavík. The basic operational unit is a swimming pool that is suitable for exercising, games, relaxing and for instruction. All the pools have hot tubs, a steam bath and/or sauna. In addition, some pools have specific activity areas for children with toddler pools and slides.
Children below the age of 8 are not permitted entry to a swimming pool unless they are accompanied by an individual who can swim and is at least 14 years old (counting from the year of birth, rather than date of birth). This individual is not permitted to accompany more than two children at one time. However, this does not apply to children who are accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. When children are old enough to start compulsory school they use the appropriate changing rooms for their gender.
Íþrótta og tómstundasvið Reykjavíkur, Bæjarháls 1, 110 Reykjavík.
Tel: 411 5000
Fax: 411 5009
Netfang:itr@itr.is
Music Schools in Reykjavík
The City of Reykjavík has a service contract with eighteen private music schools,
Tónlistarskólar í Reykjavík.
Reykjavík Music Schools are privately operated schools, which receive funding from the City of Reykjavík. The Music School at Kléberg is the only music school that is entirely operated by the City of Reykjavík. Each music school has its own price list.
Further information:
Menntasvið Reykjavíkur (Reykjavík Division of Education)
Laufey Ólafsdóttir, Musical Representative
Fríkirkjuvegur 1, 101 Reykjavík
Tel: 411 7000
Fax: 411 7050
Heimasíða Menntasviðs
Netfang:menntasvid@reykjavik.is
Adult Study Groups of Reykjavík
The Adult Study Groups of Reykjavík provide adult education and services according to the City of Reykjavík’s Social Education Policy. The role of the Adult Study Groups is to encourage people to further their education and to assist people in finding suitable educational options.
Courses and other resources provided by the Study Groups are designed and developed in cooperation with other parties in the educational and social service sectors. In addition to the Adult Study Groups, the courses are supervised by education enterprises and schools. In cooperation with education enterprises and colleges, the Adult Study Groups develop resources and offer study assistance to adults that have specific learning disabilities. The Adult Study Groups’ study consultants work in the city’s service centres. Their advisory services are available to all residents of the city that have reached 16 years of age. Further information can be provided by María Garðarsdóttir, the Adult Study Groups’ office manager in Mjódd, tel: 567-7050, 664-8464 Heimasíða námsflokkanna
The Reykjavik Art Museum
The Reykjavik Art Museum has three venues in Reykjavik: Hafnarhus, Kjarvalsstadir, and Asmundarsafn. The museum is the largest visual art institution in Iceland, where it´s mission is to present contemporary art in its many manifestations,carried out through diverse programs.
Borgarbókasafn – Main library
There are seven Borgarbókasafn libraries in Reykjavik, as well as a library vehicle which makes multiple stops around the city. The Borgarbókasafn main library is at Tryggvagata 15. It has a great variety of books and magazines, both in Icelandic and foreign languages. The library also has music, video tapes, DVDs and multimedia material, as well as a lot else.
It is possible to sit down and read newspapers and recent magazines in all the libraries. There are also encyclopaedias, dictionaries and other reference books. All the libraries have computers for public use where you can, for a small fee, use the Internet and multimedia material and word processors.
The libraries in Mosfellsbæ and Seltjarnarnes collaborate with the Borgarbókasafn libraries. So those who have a library card at the Borgarbókasafn libraries can use it in the other two and vice versa.
Vetarhátíð:
February – Winter Lights Festival
The Winter Lights Festival is designed to be an annual event to stimulate and enliven city life in the midwinter. The Festival celebrates both the winter and the growing light after a long period of darkness. The program is a mixture of art and industry, environment and history, sports and culture; the events will provide entertainment for both the inhabitants and visitors to Reykjavík. The Reykjavík Winter Lights Festival is an event to be enjoyed by all. The programme reflects the many faces of Reykjavík and its inhabitants. All the major cultural and educational institutions participate in the Festival and sports clubs, galleries, artists, shops, restaurants and many more join in the fun. The entire city is alive during the festival, both the centre with all its cultural institutions as well as the many parks and sport centres in Reykjavík.
Menningarnótt:
In August - Cultural night.
The Cultural Night in Reykjavik has become an essential part of cultural life in Iceland with thousands of people strolling the streets of the city on this exciting and eventful night. The Cultural Night offers the chance to enjoy a variety of activities ranging from traditional shows and exhibitions to more unusual events. A number of cultural institutes such as galleries, studios, shops, cafes, churches, restaurants and bars in downtown Reykjavik stay open until late. The immensely popular Reykjavik Marathon takes place on the same day.
Hátíð hafsins:
In June – Festival of the Sea
The first weekend in June is a very special day in Iceland and is a reminder of how important the sea and its sailors are to Icelandic history, economy and people. It’s the only day when every ship in Iceland is in the harbor and all the sailors have a day off. Boats and ships of all sizes come into port carrying sailors eager to try their hands at strongman competitions and rowing competitions between ships’ crews and companies. On this day the Icelandic rescue squad diplays a sea rescue in Reykjavik harbour. Sailors’ day is a lighthearted occasion with lots of fun for the whole family.
Listahátíð:
May - June - Reykjavik Art Festival
This is Iceland's premier cultural festival which has been bringing together the best in local and international theatre, dance, music and visual art since 1970. The festival’s programme offers a variety of selected exhibitions, concerts, dance, theatre and opera performances. Along with its focus on Icelandic culture, past and present, the festival hosts many outstanding international artists and performers.
The City of Reykjavik Cultural Policy
The City of Reykjavik's Cultural Policy was agreed at the City Council on December 11th 2001, with changes on February 12th 2003. The City of Reykjavik Cultural Policy (PDF 20,2 KB)
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