Reykjavik Culture Night and the Islandsbanki Reykjavik Marathon both take place on Saturday 22 August 2026. Culture Night is the city’s anniversary festival, with free events across the centre and a concert followed by fireworks at Arnarholl.

What Culture Night is

Culture Night is the City of Reykjavik’s anniversary festival and the highlight of the city’s summer. It also marks the start of the city’s cultural year, when museums, theatres and other cultural institutions launch their annual programme.

The festival is organised and produced by the events team at Reykjavik Cultural Office, together with other city departments, organisations, artists and societies. All events held on Culture Night are free of charge.

The date, and how it is set

The date moves from year to year because the marathon is held on the Saturday of the week that carries the anniversary of the City of Reykjavik. In 2026, the marathon runs through the centre during the day, before the evening programme.

The city publishes the current programme and timetable, and that is the list to check rather than an older schedule.

What happens across the city centre

The festival area covers the city centre, stretching from Langahlid in Austurbaer to Hagatorg in Vesturbaer and out to Grandi. Events take place in streets and squares, museums and businesses, as well as residential gardens.

The programme mixes art exhibitions, string quartets and theatre events with rock bands and graffiti artists.

The concert at Arnarholl and the fireworks

A concert takes place at Arnarholl. The fireworks display begins after that concert ends, and the fireworks close the celebrations.

The current programme published by the city gives the timetable for the concert and fireworks. After the fireworks, many people continue to the city’s bars.

Getting in and out of the centre

Parts of the city centre are closed to driving for the safety of Culture Night attendees. Kalkofnsvegur closes before the rest of the centre, from the Thursday beforehand, so the stage can be built.

Straeto buses run at normal prices during the day, with increased frequency. Straeto buses are free while the city centre is being cleared at the end of the night.

A free shuttle runs between Laugardalsholl and Hallgrimskirkja for people who park outside the centre. The city publishes the current list of street closures, so check that list rather than relying on a fixed list.

Accessibility on the day

Wheelchair platforms are provided at the Hljomskalagardur and Arnarholl concerts. A sensory space is open at Frikirkjan for part of the day.

Accessible toilets are available at Arnarholl, Hljomskalagardur and City Hall. Disability transport runs on Culture Night with designated stops in the centre.

Museums on Culture Night

Museums are among the venues involved in the city’s cultural programme. For museum information during the rest of a Reykjavik stay, see the Reykjavik museums guide.

Where the night goes after the fireworks

The fireworks close the formal celebrations, after which many people continue to the city’s bars. For further information about evenings in the capital, see the Reykjavik nightlife guide.

Free things the rest of your stay

Culture Night’s events are free of charge. For other no-cost activities in the capital, see free things to do in Reykjavik.

Checking sun times for the day

The evening programme runs into the dark. You can check sun times for the date with the daylight hours tool.

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