Culture Night Tomorrow

The festival traditionally draws thousands of people.

The festival traditionally draws thousands of people. Haraldur Jónasson/Hari

Vala Hafstað

Culture Night is coming up tomorrow. This is one of the most popular festivals in Reykjavík, always held around the city’s birthday. Reykjavík was founded on August 18, 1786, and Culture Night is celebrated that day, provided it falls on a Saturday, or else the Saturday thereafter.

All day long, there will be celebration throughout the city. Those who plan to attend are encouraged to use public transportation, ride their bikes or walk, for most of the streets downtown will be closed to motorized traffic from 7 am Saturday till 1 am Sunday morning.

The Íslandsbanki Reykjavík Marathon is scheduled between 8:40 am and 4:10 pm.

The festival’s opening ceremony is set for 1 pm at Hagatorg square, where Mayor Dagur B. Eggertson addresses guests.

You can expect a variety of cultural events throughout downtown: music, art, dance and food. There will be art exhibits, history exhibits, salsa dancing at Ingólfstorg square, a hip-hop festival at Miðbakkinn wharf, family games, a circus party, puppet theater, poetry readings, workshops, Vikings, waffles, swing, comedy, storytelling, yoga, improv, blues, a battle of bands – you name it.

Check out the program, and you’ll be sure to find something of interest. The Bylgjan Garden Party begins in Hljómskálagarður park at 10 pm, where numerous musicians will perform.

The festival culminates in a fireworks display at Arnarhóll at 11 pm.

The weather forecast calls for partly cloudy skies and a high of 12°C (54°F).

Weather

Partly cloudy

Today

3 °C

Clear sky

Tomorrow

3 °C

Clear sky

Saturday

1 °C