Happy summer, dear residents!

The city authorities and staff of Hafnarfjörður wish the residents and friends of Hafnarfjörður a happy summer, thanking them for a rather snowy and unusually heavy winter in Hafnarfjörður, which has had its pros and cons. The benefits are undoubtedly that the snow opens up different opportunities for entertainment and outdoor activities, which residents and other visitors have taken full advantage of.  

The first day of summer celebrated in Hafnarfjörður – plenty on offer 

At last, summer can be formally celebrated. The cultural festival Bjartir dagar began yesterday with student singing, the selection of the 2022 town artist, and the HEIMA music festival. Bjartir dagar will continue, forming the hat of a diverse programme of festivities over the coming weeks and months, or until King Winter takes over once more. There is a packed and varied programme for the first day of summer in Hafnarfjörður and over the weekend, and all interested parties are encouraged to take an active part. 

Programme in Hafnarfjörður on the first of May

• 11 am - 1 pm. Birdwatching in Höfðaskógur. Setting off from Þöll on Kaldársel Road. A gentle walk through the forest and its surroundings for the whole family. Further information is available on the Hafnarfjörður Forestry Association's website or by calling 555-6455.
•  12 noon: Hafnarfjörður Cross-Country Race in the town centre of Hafnarfjörður. The warm-up will begin at Thorsplan at 12 noon. The run will follow Strandgata and will be divided into age groups after the warm-up. There is no entry fee for the run and registration is on a first-come, first-served basis on the day. Winners in each category will receive trophies and all competitors will receive medals, kindly provided by the City of Hafnarfjörður. After the run, the FH athletics department will be promoting athletics on Thorsplan, where you will be able to try long jump and shot put.
• 12-15 Opening ceremony of the St. Jó. Wellbeing Centre. Residents of Hafnarfjörður and the surrounding areas are invited to visit the St. Jó's Wellbeing Centre on the first of May. This beautiful and historic building has undergone extensive renovations and now three of its four floors are a hive of activity, with various organisations, businesses and individuals running a diverse range of activities, all with the aim of improving people's quality of life.
• 13:00-15:00. Badminton and table tennis at the sports hall on Strandgata. Visitors and passers-by are invited to try badminton and table tennis at the Hafnarfjörður Badminton Club in the sports hall on Strandgata.
• 13:00-18:00. Open house at the Þyt Sailing Club, Strandgata 88. Beginners and experienced sailors are invited to sail kayaks (ages 9 and over) or rowing boats, and those with experience can sail dinghies, weather permitting.
• 13:00 International Singing Session and Bead Embroidery at Hafnarfjörður Library. A singing session in English with a real princess, and Intrix is hosting a pearl-coding workshop for everyone. No registration required, just turn up and play! Story-making workshop in the children's section until 3 p.m.
• 1 pm Scout Mass at Víðistaðakirkja. The Reverend Bragi, the parish priest, will conduct the service.
• 13:45 Parade from Víðistaðakirkja to Thorsplan. The procession will proceed down Garðavegur and turn right onto Hraunbrún, then along Vesturgata towards Strandgata, through the Town Square, and finish at Thorsplani to the sound of the bugle band of the Hafnarfjörður Music School.
• 14:00-16:00 Family programme at Thorsplan, organised by the Hraunbúar Scout Association. A fun and varied programme for the whole family. Dance performances by Hafnarfjörður Dance Sport Association, a scene from The Little Horror Shop at Víðistaðaskóli, the band Enter name from Lækjarskóli and other musical performances. Bouncy castles in the area behind Fjörð.
• 16:00 Concert at Hafnarfjörður Library – The Road goes ever on. A group of young artists performs a cycle of songs from Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, set to music by Donald Swann. The project is sponsored by the City of Hafnarfjörður to mark the 100th anniversary of the Hafnarfjörður Public Library, and is a collaboration with the Sigurður Demetz School of Singing.

We encourage you to familiarise yourselves with the programme for the Bright Days this weekend. 

There's plenty going on at the library, in Hafnarborg and the Pakkhús of the Folk Museum, to name but a few. It's also ideal for a swim!