Colorful programming at the Reykjavík City Museum
To celebrate the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersex Discrimination and Transphobia on May 17 and International Museum Day on May 18, the Reykjavík City Museum is hosting a vibrant lineup of events.
Sunday, May 17, marks IDAHOBIT — the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersex Discrimination and Transphobia. Observed since 2004, the day commemorates May 17, 1990, when the World Health Organization removed homosexuality from its list of mental disorders. In 2019, the organization also removed trans-related health conditions from its mental disorders classification, moving them to a chapter on sexual health.
To mark both occasions, the Reykjavík City Museum invites visitors to enjoy a dynamic and diverse weekend of programming across its locations. All events are free, and everyone is welcome.
Árbær Open Air Museum will host two events on Sunday, May 17th
Flag-making workshop for IDAHOBIT, 1-3 p.m.
This open workshop invites visitors of all ages to create custom flags reflecting their ideas, feelings and appreciation for diversity. The museum will provide paper, colors, glue and sticks, and weather permitting, participants can display their finished flags in the courtyard.
"Hinsegin fánasaga" (Queer flag history) — a stand-up show with Sindri Sparkle, 3-4 p.m.
Sindri "Sparkle" Freyja is a comedian, author, actor, graphic designer and much more. Over the past several years, they have built a career in Reykjavík's stand-up and drag scenes. Even so, they may still be best known for appearing naked on national television a few years ago.
They are also one of the world's foremost experts on the history of queer flags and have toured internationally with their shows. Sindri "Sparkle" Freyja has received numerous awards for their work, including the Nordic Fringe Network Award and the Rising Star Award from the Reykjavík Fringe Festival.
"Stolt siglir fleyið mitt" (Pride sails my vessel) — a rainbow workshop at the Reykjavík Maritime Museum
The Reykjavík Maritime Museum will host an open rainbow workshop May 16-17, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., under the theme "Pride sails my vessel." Visitors can craft rainbow flags and other creations or write messages to hang on the vessel RE Stolt (RE Pride) in the museum's harbor hall. The workshop aims to generate colorful, uplifting messages celebrating diversity, visibility and solidarity.
International Museum
Day — free admission!
International Museum Day 2026 takes place on May 18 under the theme "Museums as a unifying force in a divided world." All Reykjavík City Museum locations will offer free admission in honor of the occasion! The Reykjavík City Museum received its rainbow certification in 2022.