Culture Night - changes to evening schedule and Reykjavík Marathon routes
The City Executive Council approved changes to Reykjavík Marathon routes and Culture Night evening schedule today. These are among recommendations from a working group formed to review planning of the two popular events held together annually.
The group examined whether to revise celebrations in Reykjavík's city center on the first Saturday after August 18, the City's anniversary.
Two most popular festivals in Iceland
Culture Night, Reykjavík City's anniversary celebration, began in 1996. From the start, the festival has allowed artists, cultural institutions, residents and businesses to host celebrations in the city center. As Iceland's largest festival, it runs from noon into the evening.
The Reykjavík Marathon occurs the same day with increasing participation yearly. Participants grew from 214 in 1984 to 14,646 this year.
Modified running routes, shorter evening program and prevention campaign
The group analyzed City staff and partner work for Culture Night and the Reykjavík Marathon, considering pros and cons of holding these large events together.
Recommendations focus on next year and future city center events, including Culture Night and the Reykjavík Marathon. No date changes are proposed.
Proposals for 2025:
• Change Reykjavík Marathon routes. Move finish line from Lækjargata to Geirsgata to improve pedestrian flow across Lækjargata and limit heavy vehicle traffic related to the run.
• Move Fun Run from Þingholt to Old Vesturbær. This change will reduce complex street closures in Þingholt, avoid overlapping street closures with Culture Night events as well as improve public safety and minimize inconvenience for residents' access.
• End Culture Night program one hour earlier. Conclude Arnarhóll concerts with fireworks at 10pm instead of 11pm.
• Launch prevention campaign before events.
• Increase funding for security and prevention outreach.
Shaping future city center events
A new working group will examine future event planning in Reykjavík's city center, considering safety, CityLine, and other planning issues. Clear guidelines for city center events will be established to maintain an engaging cultural life while ensuring resident safety and developing a future vision.
Working group report on Culture Night and Reykjavík Marathon planning review