Culture Night: one big anniversary celebration

Culture Night is a one-of-a-kind community-powered festival where residents, operators, and artists bring the city center to life with entertainment, generating an incredible atmosphere that expands with something new every year. Waffle cafés, dance, music, acroyoga, brass performances, singing, art exhibitions, and much more are all part of the Culture Night lineup. 

Opening of Culture Night

Culture Night gets off to a grand start at 12:30 p.m. on Klapparstígur with DJ Margeir. Mayor Hildur Björnsdóttir will formally open the festival, and birthday cake will be served in honor of the city's anniversary.

DJ Margeir will be back on Klapparstígur with MOMENT, just as in previous years. Year after year, MOMENT delivers unforgettable moments as the music pounds and people dance well into the evening. This year, DJ Margeir and MOMENT will also be raising funds for the Bryndís Klara Memorial Fund. 

Reykjavík Forestry Association as honored guests 

This year's Culture Night honored guest is the Reykjavík Forestry Association, which is celebrating its 125th anniversary. A special program will be held at City Hall in their honor — they are most warmly welcomed. The program includes a scented sauna, wood carving, a performance by Mugison, and the photography exhibition "Frá rofabörðum til borgarskóga" ("From Eroded Banks to Urban Forests").

Something for everyone

The program is diverse enough that there is genuinely something for everyone. This year's highlights include:

Acro Yoga: a lively, visually engaging, and family-friendly movement arts event held outdoors at Klambratún in the heart of Reykjavík during Culture Night. 

Ingólfsfest: Ingólfsstræti transforms into a festival zone featuring a fashion show, art exhibition, live music, and more.  DJ Eisi, Inspector Spacetime, ISSI, NUSSUN, and HÚGÓ, among others, will take the stage. 

Kveðið úr kirkjuturni ("Recited from the church tower"): This sound installation broadcasts recordings of traditional Icelandic rímur verse poetry from speakers mounted in the tower of Hallgrímskirkja, sending the chants echoing across the city center. 

Skrans: the annual skateboarding event at Culture Night. This year, Skrans takes place on the top floor of Traðarkot on Hverfisgata, giving visitors a chance to experience this vibrant and colorful scene firsthand. The Skrans skateboard jam runs from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., featuring a varied lineup throughout.

Outdoor karaoke at Steinbryggjan: This year's karaoke hosts are sisters Margrét Erla and Vigdís Perla Maack. Expect soap bubbles, confetti, fans (both manual and battery-powered), and other fun props. Sign-ups are handled on-site — please note that not all song requests can be accommodated.

DEILDIN: a division with just one team, one coach, and an audience. DEILDIN is a dance piece presented in the form of a football match.

Garage bands: The republic's garage bands will come out of the country's garages on Culture Night 2026 and play all kinds of punk, pop, rock and blues. The event takes place at Gamla Bíó.

 Hjartatorg Block Party: a celebration of music, culture, and community that takes over Hjartatorg during Culture Night, filling the square with vibrant city energy from afternoon through evening — and much more.

The Reykjavík Art Museum will offer a varied program with free admission. 

The Reykjavík City Library at Grófin will offer jungle Lego, a scavenger hunt, adventure storytelling, Jazz Kids, and mask-making fun.

Music plays a central role at Culture Night.  Rás 2's Tónaflóð concert takes place at Arnarhóll, featuring JóiPé and Króli (with surprise guests), Árný Margrét, Spacestation, Daði Freyr, Páll Óskar, and Benni Hemm Hemm, among others.

Bylgjan will hold a 40th anniversary concert at Hljómskálagarðurinn during Culture Night. Performing are Birgitta Haukdal, Friðrik Dór, Bandmenn, Stefán Hilmarsson, Kristmundur Axel, Erna Hrönn, Á móti sól, and FM95BLÖ. Food trucks will be on-site serving delicious dishes for hungry visitors.

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

Culture Night is a family holiday that wraps up at 10 p.m. with a fireworks display. Families are encouraged to travel to the city center together and head 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.

Access and safety

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.

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

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

Beginning at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 20, 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 permitted to pass through road closures. Buses that normally use this route will be detoured. Information on straeto.is. 

Starting at 4 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 21, Geirsgata between Kalkofnsvegur and Tryggvagata will be closed for Reykjavík Marathon preparations. As a result, Sæbraut will be closed from Faxagata. The closure will remain in effect through Culture Night.

Street closures are generally in effect from 7 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 22, until 1am. the following day, unless otherwise noted.

Working with electric scooter companies, parking will only be permitted in designated areas on the outskirts of the Culture Night festival zone. 

The program is available at culturenight.is

Happy Festival!