June 17th celebrations in Reykjavík
On National Day, June 17, there will be a wide-ranging and impressive program to mark 80 years since Iceland became a republic. There’s a parade from Hallgrímskirkja, concerts, street theater, dance parties, a circus, playgrounds, food trucks, and vintage car exhibitions at Hljómskálagarður and Klambratún and more.
Morning program at Austurvöllur
The ceremony, hosted by Alþingi and the Prime Minister's Office, begins at Austurvöllur at 11:10am and will be broadcast on RÚV. President of Iceland, Mr. Guðni Th. Jóhannesson, will lay a flower wreath on behalf of the Icelandic people at the monument of Jón Sigurðsson, and the Prime Minister, Bjarni Benediktsson, will give a keynote speech. The Lady of the Mountains will address the crowd, but her identity will remain a secret until the ceremony.
After the ceremony, a parade will go from Austurvöllur to the cemetery at Suðurgata, where Þórdís Lóa Þórhallsdóttir, President of City Council, will lay a wreath from the residents of Reykjavík at the graves of Jón Sigurðsson and his wife Ingibjörg Einarsdóttir. The brass band Svanur will perform at the event.
Parade
At 1pm, scouts will lead a grand parade from Hallgrímskirkja to the festival area in Hljómskálagarður. The parade will feature various displays, including circus performances and the Labor Band playing throughout. There will also be entertainment at Klambratún.
At Hljómskálagarður, there will be activities for all, including dance, circus, and bouncy castles. Celebs, Páll Óskar, Teitur Magnússon, and Una Torfa with her band will perform on the main stage in Hljómskálagarður. At Klambratún, Dans Brynju Péturs will host a dance show, Sirkus Ananas will entertain the youngest children, and food trucks and DJ Fusion Groove will keep the atmosphere lively. The Accordion Association of Reykjavík will host a real ball at Reykjavík City Hall. The program will end at 5pm.
Choir singing and 8000 cupcakes
At Austurvöllur, a singing festival with six choirs will perform from 1-4pm. At the same time, attendees can enjoy 8000 republic cupcakes and coffee at the Parliament Hotel, provided by the Prime Minister's Office and Reykjavík City
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. The Reykjavík chapter of the Icelandic Association for Search and Rescue will have a concession stand at Dillonshús. Free admission in honor of the republic's 80th anniversary.
KR with a fun program
There will be a carnival atmosphere at KR's facility at Frostaskjól 2 on National Day. The program runs from 10am-1pm. There will be a bouncy castle, cage football pitches, basketball challenges, face painting, a sandwich cake competition, music by the one-and-only DJ Óliver, and a performance by the VÆB brothers. Waffles and coffee concessions available.
Guests are encouraged to attend and participate in the festivities.
Everyone is welcome!
Happy Festival!
