Festival program: June 17th

Ritstjórn
The scouts led the procession to Hólavallakirkjugarður on June 17 last year.
Procession heading to Hólavallakirkjugarður

National Day, June 17, has a diverse and spectacular program. A procession will set out from Hallgrímskirkja, the scouts will provide playground equipment, and VÆB and Páll Óskar will take the stage.

Hljómskálagarður and Klambratún will host the entertainment, featuring a dance party, circus acts, food trucks, a vintage car show, and live music.

Morning program at Austurvöllur

The official ceremony, hosted by Alþingi and the Prime Minister's Office, starts at Austurvöllur at 11 a.m. The ceremony will be broadcast live on RÚV. Prime Minister of Iceland Kristrún Frostadóttir will lay a wreath on behalf of the Icelandic nation at the monument of Jón Sigurðsson, and President of Iceland Halla Tómasdóttir will deliver the National Day address.

A wreath at the statue of Jón Sigurðsson at Austurvöllur
Blómsveigur við styttu Jóns Sigurðssonar á Austurvelli.

The Lady of the Mountains will address the crowd, but her identity will remain a secret until the ceremony. Following the ceremony, a procession will proceed from Austurvöllur to the cemetery on Suðurgata, where Björg Magnúsdóttir, president of City Council, will lay a wreath on behalf of the people of Reykjavík at the grave of Jón Sigurðsson and his wife, Ingibjörg Einarsdóttir. The Labor Union Brass Band will perform at the ceremony.

Parade

At 1 p.m., scouts will lead a grand parade from Hallgrímskirkja to the festival area in Hljómskálagarður. The procession will be a colorful affair — expect fantastical creatures to appear, circus performers to showcase their skills, and the Reykjavík Brass Band to provide music along the way.

Hljómskálagarður

Once the procession reaches the festival area at around 1:45 p.m., the entertainment program will begin at Hljómskálagarður. The festival grounds will offer a variety of entertainment for the whole family.

VÆB performing for National Day guests last year.
VÆB að skemmta þjóðhátíðargestum.

Throughout the park, scouts will set up bouncy castles, playground equipment, and a scout obstacle course. The Cruiser Club, Húlladúllan, Dans Afrika, fencing demonstrations, and food trucks will all be on hand. Hringleikur will host performances, and the arts groups from Hitt Húsið will also put on a show. The main stage will feature dance performances by Leikhópurinn Lotta, Dansskóli Birnu Björns, Dansstúdío World Class, Danslistaskóli JSB, and Dans Brynju Péturs. Páll Óskar will perform with his trademark brilliance, Amabadama and Tónhylur will take the stage, and VÆB will close out the program with a bang.

All events and activities are free, so there is something for everyone.

Klambratún

There will also be entertainment at Klambratún. Dans Brynju Péturs will perform, Besti vinur minn Súpermann will appear, DJs will keep the music playing, and food trucks will be on-site for hungry National Day guests.

At Reykjavík City Hall, the Reykjavík Accordion Society will host a proper accordion dance from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Accessibility and road closures

Map of road closures on June 17

 

Several streets in the city center will close on National Day due to the celebrations. Accessibility information and a map of road closures.

Traditional costumes, folk dances, and vintage cars at Árbær Open Air Museum

At Árbær Open Air Museum, there will be a variety of programs featuring national costumes, folk dances, the Lady of the Mountain, vintage cars, and accordion music. Dillonshús will host a concession, and Krambúðin will serve classic ice cream treats.

Guests are encouraged to attend and participate in the festivities.

Everyone is welcome!

Happy Festival!