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January
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February
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March
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April
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May
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June
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July
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August
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September
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October
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November
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December
Visiting Iceland in January
With short days and long nights, cosy accommodation is an essential if you’re drawn to the remote regions of Iceland. Even in winter you can get out an experience the natural beauty that makes Iceland such an attractive destination. Explore the country’s natural ice caves with your guide, or perhaps take a helicopter tour over this vast snowy desert.
Discover winter the Viking way at Thorrablót Festival. Here you’ll find one of the world’s most unusual culinary options. Not for the faint-hearted, you have the chance to try dishes like singed sheep’s head, fermented shark and hrútspungar (made from ram’s testicle).
Visiting Iceland in February
On the night of the Winter Lights Festival, Reykjavík’s museums and swimming pools stay open long into the night, while all manner of light installation can be seen. Also in this month is the Food & Fun festival, where you can learn all about modern Icelandic cooking which specialises in the freshest and best-quality ingredients.
Don’t forget your dancing shoes either, as the cold winters here don’t stop the residents coming out to party. The Sónar Reykjavík features international and local music acts at the SonarComplex stage in the harbour area of the city.
Visiting Iceland in March
March is a good time to enjoy the many winter activities available. Head out to the white wilderness on skis, a snowmobile or even a dog sled. Another way to experience these surroundings is to go ice hiking on Iceland’s glaciers.
Beer was once illegal in Iceland, and in March Icelanders celebrate the end of prohibition with vehemence. See the whole country explode in merriment when the sun sets.
Visitors are also drawn here in March to witness the Iceland Winter Games. Head north to Akureyri, the winter sports capital, to watch the event and even take part in some competitions.
Visiting Iceland in April
As the days lengthen and the snow begins to melt, stunning expanses of greenery lay claim to the landscape. Get out into these peaceful scenes to visit huge puffin colonies and witness the arrival of thousands of migrating birds.
The Norse calendar divides the year into just summer and winter, and in recognition of this heritage Icelanders celebrate the first day of Viking summer with the Sumardagurinn Fyrsti festival. Throughout the country, parties and colourful street parades can be seen bringing cheer to each community.
Visiting Iceland in May
The lengthening days and spectacular birding opportunities carry on as wildflowers bring a dash of colour to the scenery. This is a good month for nature lovers, and summer prices have yet to take effect. You can also enjoy snorkelling and diving in Silfra, a ravine within Thingvellir Lake that offers incredible visibility. Here you can literally swim between continents, and the water stays around the same temperature all year.
May is also the month of the Reykjavík Arts Festival. Across two weeks, culture vultures can indulge in theatre and film as well as many other artistic performances and expositions.
Visiting Iceland in June
June brings beautiful weather, long days and an incredible amount of choice when it comes to entertainment. Whale-watching excursions yield sightings of some 11 species of whale in summer months, making this a good time to visit Iceland’s whale-watching hot spots.
Seafarers’ Day sees fishing towns at their liveliest, when sailors moor up for a day of raucous festivities.
On summer solstice, you can experience a night where the sun doesn’t set in the north of the country. You can also visit the Hafnarfjörður Viking Festival to see history come alive, or party through the light nights at Secret Solstice festival.
Visiting Iceland in July
Icelandic summers are incredible for those who love the outdoors, offering enticing hiking trails and a range of intriguing natural features. Meanwhile, there are a range of worthwhile festivals going on.
Landsmót Hestamanna is week-long horse competition held in even-numbered years. You can also witness Skálholt Summer Concerts, where around 40 concerts and lectures are held in Skálholt Cathedral from July into August.
Those in search of a livelier affair can visit Eistnaflug. Set in a small Eastfjords town, this heavy-metal festival sees the population double as metal fans flood in.
Visiting Iceland in August
August is your last chance to see the puffins before they migrate, and whale sightings will become fewer in the coming months.
Visit the Westman Islands Camping Festival in Heimaey where locals commemorate the day in 1874 when, due to weather, the town couldn’t celebrate Iceland’s constitution being established. Now thousands come to enjoy fireworks, drinking and live music.
There’s also the Herring Festival, where huge dances and feats are held, and Jökulsárlón Fireworks which features incredible displays over the pristine Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon.
Reykjavík is another good place to spend this hectic month, with Reykjavík Pride, Marathon and Culture Night all taking place.
Visiting Iceland in September
Although September brings some warm and sunny days, some hotels and attractions close for the winter. Many highland roads close too, making it a little more difficult to travel throughout the country. However, Autumn has a number of fantastic festivals.
In Reykjavík, you can witness the International Film and Literary festivals. These festivals each bring experts, buffs and enthusiasts from miles around explore culture and craft with various panels and workshops.
Experience the rural side of life here at the Réttir, which honours the tradition of the Autumn round up of wild-grazing sheep.
Visiting Iceland in October
Temperatures cool while the nights begin to lengthen again. As the country prepares for winter, hot chocolates and woolly hats are necessities as you explore the snowy plains and bustling cities.
October is a great month to see the aurora borealis light up the night sky – the result of solar flares, this incredible phenomenon is marvel envied by the world. To get the best views, head far from any light pollution where the natural beauty of the scenery makes the perfecting backdrop for the lightshow.
Visiting Iceland in November
As the nights become noticeably long and snow settles on the landscape, November is a good time to visit the Blue Lagoon. This geothermal spring makes for one of the most serene experiences, particularly on days with a light snow.
The Days of Darkness festival takes place in the east of the country to celebrate the onset of winter. Witness traditional dances, magic shows and mysterious processions as you discover the dark side of Iceland.
Music lovers can enjoy Iceland Airwaves, one of the country’s biggest music festivals to see both local and international performers.
Visiting Iceland in December
December sees the lowest light levels of the year, though there are enough light hours in the day to enjoy all the winter activities and attractions. Wrap up and head out to enjoy long evenings at winter markets and Christmas celebrations where you’ll experience the warmth of these traditional community gatherings.
New Year’s Eve in Iceland is no small affair. You’ll see huge bonfires, an incredible number of fireworks, fantastic feasts and incredible parties as Icelanders dance the long night away. Few countries compete when it comes to welcoming in the new year.
