The Dark Age – Giant Glasses on the Hammer and at Keili

Hafnarfjörður ready for the blackout

One of the most magnificent natural events seen in Iceland for centuries is fast approaching. Next Wednesday, 12th August, a total solar eclipse will be visible here in the southwest corner and the southern part of the Westfjords. The Hammer and Ástjörn at Ásvellir are among the locations residents and visitors are encouraged to choose to enjoy the moment. We also point to the car park at the Keili golf course.

Risagleraugu á Harminum og við Keili

To make the experience even more enjoyable, the City of Hafnarfjörður will be placing giant solar eclipse glasses on Hamrinn and at the monument by the Keilisklettur golf course. This is done in collaboration with Solar Eclipse 2026.is. Visitors can step into the glasses, take photos and create fun memories on this historic day.

• Remember to use only approved solar eclipse glasses when looking at the sun before and after totality.
• The City of Hafnarfjörður offers all Hafnarfjörður children, aged 17 and under, free pairs of glasses. They are available from the city's swimming pools, the Hafnarfjörður Library, the Hafnarfjörður Museum, Hafnarborg, and the city's service centre, while stocks last.

The total eclipse itself only lasts for just over a minute, but the spectacle begins much earlier. The partial eclipse begins at around 16:47 and the peak of the total eclipse will be at around 17:49.

We therefore encourage you to arrive in good time, enjoy the atmosphere with your neighbours and watch as the moon gradually moves in front of the sun. In Hafnarfjörður, the total eclipse will be visible for up to 68 seconds, depending on your location.

A historic moment

Yes, it will be magnificent, for it has No generation of Hafnarfjörður residents has experienced a total blackout from Hafnarfjörður before now, in August 2026.

• The last partial eclipse in Hafnarfjörður was on 30 June 1954 (99.11% of the sun was obscured).
• The first total eclipse visible from Hafnarfjörður in recorded history will be on 12 August 2026, when the darkness will last for about 1 minute and 5–8 seconds, depending on where in the town you are.

Music festival in Víðistaðatún

Yes, Hafnarfjörður draws a crowd on this special day. Seven thousand guests are expected at the music festival.  Echolalia – The Solar Eclipse Festival of Bjarkar & Smekkleysa which will be held in Víðistaðatún. The first guests are expected in the field around midday, when the area opens.

We look forward to seeing local residents and visitors come together at Hamarinn and Ástjörn to experience one of the most memorable natural wonders that Iceland has to offer.

Let's experience history together!