Stay Smart on Culture Night!

This year features nearly 400 events. Dance, music, brass bands, coffee and waffles, singing, art exhibitions—and don't forget the bench press competition outside Kjarvalsstaðir Museum. Residents also participate by opening their homes, creating programs, and putting their best foot forward.

Opening of Culture Night

Culture Night will officially open at 12:30pm on the steps of the National Theatre, which celebrates its 75th anniversary this year. It will be a grand spectacle with Bastian the Sheriff from Cardamom Town taking the stage first, followed by Mayor Heiða Björg Hilmisdóttir formally opening the festival. Minister of Culture Logi Einarsson will deliver a brief anniversary speech. Next, famous characters from the most popular plays in history will perform, including Pippi Longstocking, Elsa and Olaf from Frozen, Mickey the Fox and Lilly the Squirrel from Cardamom Town, and others.

Faroese guests of honor

This year's Culture Night guests of honor are the Faroese, who will present the cultural and entertainment program at City Hall – we especially welcome them. Music, fine arts, and refreshments in the style of our Faroese cousins will be served.

A diverse program is on offer at Reykjavík Art Museum and the City Museum, with free admission.

Music takes center stage with Rás 2's music series, Tónaflóð, at Arnarhóll, featuring Geðbrigði, KÓla, Retro Stefson, Elín Hall, VÆB, and Emmsjé Gauti with guests.

DJ Margeir's Moment then takes place on Klapparstígur, offering booming music and fun.

Radio Bylgjan will be in its usual spot in Hljómskálagarður park, featuring Herra Hnetusmjör, Nýdönsk, GDRN, Skímó, and Klara Einars. Street food will feature 22 food trucks offering delicious dishes.

A Family Day: Together in the City, Together at Home

Culture Night ends an hour earlier this year, at 10pm, with a fireworks display. This change underscores that this is a family festival, where the focus is on families coming to the city center and returning home together.

This also aligns with Reykjavík City's Stay Smart campaign, which emphasizes positive messages to young people and their families about togetherness and a healthy lifestyle.

We encourage everyone to stay smart in general. Make good decisions and look out for one another. We all share a responsibility for each other's well-being.

A moment of remembrance for Bryndís Klara

At the end of the festival, Bryndís Klara Birgisdóttir will be remembered with a minute of silence at Arnarhóll in collaboration with RÚV. After the moment of remembrance, there will be a fireworks display dedicated to Bryndís Klara and all young people who have experienced violence.

Access and safety

For safety reasons, the city center will be closed to vehicle traffic so guests can enjoy Culture Night's program.

Starting at 12pm (noon) Thursday, Aug. 21, Kalkofnsvegur between Hverfisgata and Geirsgata will be closed for stage setup at Arnarhóll. The closure will remain in effect through Culture Night. Only emergency responders will be allowed through the closure. Buses that normally use this route will be detoured. Information on straeto.is.

Strætó Shuttles will run to and from parking at Laugardalshöll Arena via Borgartún to Hallgrímskirkja, with a stop at Hlemmur from 7:30am to 11:15pm.

Starting at 4pm Friday, Aug. 22, Sóleyjargata, Fríkirkjuvegur and Lækjargata will be closed for Reykjavík Marathon preparations. The closure will remain in effect through Culture Night.

Street closures are generally in effect from 7am on Saturday, Aug. 23 until 1am, unless noted otherwise.

Guests are encouraged to come to the city center on foot, by bicycle, or by public transportation. Please check the map of street closures and accessibility information for Culture Night.

In consultation with electric scooter companies, electric scooters may only be parked in designated areas on the edge of the Culture Night festival area.

The program is available at culturenight.is

Happy Festival!