The official Iceland Airwaves 2026 programme runs from November 5 to November 7 in downtown Reykjavik. Special events take place on November 4 and November 8.
What Iceland Airwaves is
Iceland Airwaves is a multi-genre music festival that takes place across a number of venues in Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland. It programmes emerging Icelandic artists and international acts.
Iceland Airwaves describes itself as the world's most northerly music showcase and industry festival. The festival was launched as a one-off event in an airplane hangar.
Sena Live promotes and produces Iceland Airwaves. The festival operates with Icelandair as founding sponsor and in cooperation with the City of Reykjavik.
When the festival happens
Iceland Airwaves is held in November every year in Reykjavik. The official 2026 programme runs in downtown Reykjavik from November 5 to November 7.
The 2026 special events are scheduled for November 4 and November 8, outside the official programme dates.
How a night at Airwaves actually works
All official Iceland Airwaves venues are indoors and within walking distance of one another. The evening programme begins at the official venues, and a wristband is needed to enter.
Shows are hosted in record stores, dedicated venues, bars, churches, nightclubs, and large-scale venues. All shows are subject to venue capacity. Once a venue is full, no more people are admitted.
Reykjavik's nightlife is concentrated in the compact downtown area. Most bars and venues there are within walking distance of one another.
The special events at Harpa
The 2026 special events are Shygirl on November 4, Dadi Freyr with the Iceland Symphony Orchestra on November 5, and The Streets on November 8.
All of these special events take place at Harpa, in the Silfurberg and Eldborg halls. Harpa is a concert hall on the Reykjavik waterfront that hosts music performances.
Passes, day tickets and the conference
Iceland Airwaves sells a festival pass covering the official programme and a day pass covering a single day. It also sells a Pro Pass and conference passes, including a conference day pass.
Airwaves Plus is a ticket upgrade bought on top of a festival pass, a day pass, or a travel package. The festival's ticket provider is Tix, and Iceland Airwaves directs ticket questions to Tix.
Passes are bought from the festival's ticket provider. Refunds are not issued for Iceland Airwaves tickets, and all sales are final.
Icelandair sells travel packages that combine a flight with a festival pass. A hotel and an airport transfer are options within these packages.
Getting from the airport into town
Keflavik Airport is on the Reykjanes peninsula, outside Reykjavik. Keflavik Airport tells passengers to take the bus to and from the airport with Flybus and recommends booking tickets in advance.
Regular Straeto public transport buses run between the capital area and Keflavik Airport.
What else to do in Reykjavik on a festival trip
November falls outside Iceland's midnight sun period and inside the season when the northern lights can be seen.
Use the Daylight Calculator to help plan your trip.
Comparing Reykjavik tours around the festival
You can compare Reykjavik tours to see the current options.
