Reykjavík Folk Festival returns May 1-3, 2025, celebrating 15 years since the first festival.
The festival follows an international model where the joy of playing takes center stage and acoustic instruments are the main attraction. This was the guiding principle for the first festival in 2010.
The spokesperson, creator, lead designer and first executive director of Reykjavik Folk Festival was Ólafur Þórðarson, a beloved musician in Ríó Tríó and other bands who also supported countless musicians.
Folk music has sometimes been defined as music or musical influences that trace their origins to ordinary people, a musical heritage passed from person to person, generation to generation.
More often than not, this can be traced to friends or family coming together, singing and playing by ear. It might therefore be more accurate to call it "music of the people."
The main program of Reykjavík Folk Festival takes place at Iðnó on Friday, May 2 and Saturday, May 3.
The opening night and festival launch takes place at RVK Bruggfélag in Tónabíó on Thursday, May 1, along with other events on those days.
Performers include Markéta Irglová, Pétur Ben, Jelena Ciric, Blood Harmony, Júníus Meyvant and others.
Festival sponsors and partners are Reykjavík City, FÍH, Rás 2, RVK Bruggfélag Tónabíó, Iðnó, Hildiberg, Luxor and Tónastöðin.