Culture and the Arts
Here you can view all the fun annual events held in the town, in chronological order.
Thirteenth-day celebrations at Ásvellir
On the Thirteenth, 6th January each year, Christmas is bid farewell with dancing and singing at the magnificent Thirteenth celebration in Ásvallur. The Yule Lads, Grýla, Leppalúði, elves and trolls entertain, and the festival concludes with a spectacular fireworks display by the Hafnarfjörður Rescue Squad.
Winter Festival
The Winter Festival is held in February every year. Its main purpose is to give residents of the capital region the opportunity to enjoy culture, the arts, sport and the outdoors in their own municipality, or to visit their neighbours in a nearby one.
First of May
The first day of summer begins with the Hafnarfjörður cross-country run, organised by the athletics section of FH. Afterwards, a parade is held in Víðistaðatún, where the Hraunbúar Scout Group provides a varied family programme.
Bright days
Bjartir dagar is a cultural festival that reflects the diverse cultural activities taking place in Hafnarfjörður, organised by institutions, associations, businesses and individuals. Bjartir dagar begins on the town's birthday, 1 June, with the third-year pupils singing in the summer. The vitality and growth of Hafnarfjörður's arts scene has been reflected, among other things, in the 'Walk into Town' event. During this event, artists, designers and craftspeople open their studios and welcome visitors.
Seafarers' Day
Seamen's Day has been celebrated in Hafnarfjörður since 1953, as the town's history is closely linked to seafaring and fish processing. A varied programme and the honouring of seafarers takes place at Flensborg Harbour, and the Hafnarfjörður Rescue Squad sets up a variety of rescue equipment on land and at sea.
Seaman's Day is the first Sunday in June, unless Whit Monday falls on that day, in which case it is the following Sunday. Be sure to make a trip down to the harbour and enjoy what the harbour, for which the town is named, has to offer.
Cultural and health walks
During the summer months, cultural and health walks are offered every Wednesday evening. Most walks take about an hour and start at 8 p.m. unless otherwise stated. Participation is free and all are welcome.
National Day, 17th June
The National Day begins in Hafnarfjörður with a flag-hoisting ceremony at the Hamar. Following a parade, led by the Hraunbúar Scout Association and the Hafnarfjörður Band, the Mountain Maiden of Hafnarfjörður delivers a speech at the opening of the national day programme. This is followed by a varied programme of festivities and entertainment that extends throughout the town centre, and no one should miss the East Street Festival.
Viking Festival in Víðistaðatún
The Viking Society Rimmugýgur organises an annual Viking Festival in Víðistaðatún. The festival is held during the week of 17th June. The festival features combat demonstrations, game demonstrations, storytellers, archery, crafts, a market, a children's Viking school and food for sale. The Viking Festival has been held in Hafnarfjörður for almost three decades, but the first festival took place in Víðistaðatún in 1995.
Book and Film Festival
The Children's Book and Film Festival, held in the autumn in Hafnarfjörður, highlights the importance of reading and books and their connection to film. The town's institutions host events, and a variety of projects are carried out in the town's nurseries and primary schools.
The Christmas Village
The Christmas Village is open every Friday from 5 pm to 8 pm, and on Saturdays and Sundays during Advent from 1 pm to 6 pm. There is a hive of activity and life in the run-up to Christmas. The small, beautifully decorated Christmas houses in the Christmas Village in Hafnarfjörður have become a nationally renowned marketplace for various gift items, handicrafts and design, ideal for putting in a Christmas stocking. Delicious food is also on offer to eat in, as well as treats to take home for the festive table. Be sure to visit the centre of Hafnarfjörður in December to enjoy the entertainment programme in Thorshöfn, visit the little Christmas houses, and who knows, you might even bump into Grýla or the Yule Lads wandering around town.