Good wheelchair access.
The nearest bus stop is Háteigskirkja but the bus stop Flókagata is also near.

Cauda Collective performs five works by members of art collective Errata, featuring brand new string trios by Halldór Smárason, Haukur Þór Harðarson and Petter Ekman as well as recent string quartets by Bára Gísladóttir and Finnur Karlsson.

Errata Collective is made up of composers who for over a decade have been engaged in a fertile artistic conversation. Errata has worked with musicians around the world and hosted a multitude of ambitious events. Cauda Collective is a group of creative instrumentalists who constantly push boundaries in their musicianship. The group works closely with composers and has premiered a great number of works. This time, the collective is represented by violinists Sigrún Harðardóttir and Gunnhildur Daðadóttir, viola player Þóra Margrét Sveinsdóttir and cellist Þórdís Gerður Jónsdóttir.

Junction is a collaboration between Reykjavík Arts Festival and Við Djúpið Music Festival in Ísafjörður.

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Wheelchair access and lift. Use main entrance on upper level. 

Additional access information for the event is here.

Here is My Home is a video art installation that explores the theme of rooting and belonging in a new environment. Through a heartfelt collection of experiences, it portrays the journey of adaptation and the quest to find a sense of belonging in a foreign land. This piece serves as a tribute to Iceland's immigrant community, capturing emotions with depth and sensitivity.

Here is My Home transcends language barriers, resonating with audiences of all backgrounds. It is a poignant reflection of the universal longing for belonging.

Yuliana Palacios is an artist from Mexico who has been living in Iceland since 2016. During these years she has worked independently on her own projects but often in collaboration with local artists. She is currently pursuing an MA degree in Performing Arts at the Iceland University of the Arts.

Gerðarsafn
Rocinante Oaxaca
Ásta Vilhelmína Guðmundsdóttir
Fözz Studio
Artists' Salary Fund

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Wheelchair access. The nearest bus stop is Hafnarhúsið. Bus stop Lækjargata is also close by. 

Arkív is a living collection of dance data, consisting of 70 video portraits projected onto large screens. The portraits depict multiple generations from the contemporary dance scene. Guests are invited to enter the archive, stay a while to experience the magic and the complex emotions that only dance can awaken.

Each portrait reveals the sincere expression of a dancer freely improvising, with unexpected moments revealing more than one side of the person. Sensations become physical, resulting in an intense, beguiling and irresistable exhibition that will spark the desire to dance.

Guests are welcome to walk around the space, sit down and stay as long as they want - even do a little dance. The total running time is 60 minutes but the exhibition can be entered at any point.

Notalegur félagsskapur is the collaborative effort of three dance artists: Erla Rut Mathiesen, Eydís Rose Vilmundardóttir and Sara Margrét Ragnarsdóttir.

Filming & post-production: Ásta Jónína Arnardóttir

Alona Perepelytsia, Aðalheiður Halldórsdóttir, Amanda Fritzdóttir, Anais Barthe, Anna Guðrún Tómasdóttir, Anna Kolfinna Kuran, Auður Bergdís Snorradóttir, Auður Huld Gunnarsdóttir, Baldvin Alan Thorarensen, Birna Karlsdóttir, Bjartey Elín Hauksdóttir, Charmene Pang, Díana Rut Kristinsdóttir, Diljá Sveinsdóttir, Elín Signý W. Ragnarsdóttir, Emilía Gísladóttir, Erla Rut Mathiesen, Erna Guðrún Fritzdóttir, Erna Gunnarsdóttir, Ernesto Camilo Aldazabal Valdes, Eydís Rose Vilmundardóttir, Felix Urbina, Gabriel Mariel Rideout, Gígja Jónsdóttir, Halla Þórðardóttir, Hannes Egilsson, Heba Eir Kjeld, Inga Maren Rúnarsdóttir, Inga María Olsen, Ingólfur Björn Sigurðsson, Íris Ásmundardóttir, Júlía Kolbrún Sigurðardóttir, Júlía Sól Steinsson, Juliette Louste, Karítas Lotta Tulinius, Katie Hitchcock, Katrín Gunnarsdóttir, Katrín Vignisdóttir, Klavs Liepins, Kristín Marja Ómarsdóttir, Lilja Rúriksdóttir, Lena Margrét Jónsdóttir, Linde Hanna Rongen, Lovísa Ósk Gunnarsdóttir, Margrét Bjarnadóttir, Olga Maggý Winther, Ólöf Ingólfsdóttir, Ragnhildur Birta Ásmundsdóttir, Rebecca Hidalgo, Rebekka Sól Þórarinsdóttir, Saga Kjerúlf Sigurðardóttir, Sara Margrét Ragnarsdóttir, Salóme Sól Norðkvist, Selma Reynisdóttir, Sigríður Soffía Níelsdóttir, Sigrún Ósk Stefánsdóttir, Sigurður Andrean Sigurgeirsson, Snædís Lilja Ingadóttir, Sóley Frostadóttir, Sóley Ólafsdóttir,  Steinunn Ketilsdóttir, Sveinbjörg Þórhallsdóttir, Tinna Grétarsdóttir, Una Björg Bjarnadóttir, Unnur Elísabet Gunnarsdóttir, Úlfhildur Tómasdóttir, Valgerður Rúnarsdóttir, Védís Kjartansdóttir, Yelena Arakelow, Þórunn Ylfa Brynjólfsdóttir, Þyrí Huld Árnadóttir

1-2 June 11 am - 5 pm
8-9 June 11 am - 5 pm
15-16 June 11 am - 5 pm

Reykjavik Arts Festival will take place 1-16 June 2024.

Margrét M. Norðdahl, who had served on the Reykjavík Arts Festival Board on behalf of the mayor since 2014, stepped down, and her dedicated contributions to the festival were acknowledged with warm applause. The mayor's new representative on the board is Katrín Jakobsdóttir, who will chair the board for the next two years, while the outgoing chairman, Sigtryggur Magnason, assumes the role of vice-chairman and continues as the minister's representative. Tryggvi M. Baldvinsson remains on the board representing the Council of Representatives.

As usual, the meeting featured several presentations that provided an overview of the past year’s activities at Reykjavík Arts Festival.

Chairman of the board, Sigtryggur Magnason presented the board's yearly report.

Outgoing Artistic Director Vigdís Jakobsdóttir delivered a report on the recently concluded 2024 festival, which was also her final one. This year’s festival was exceptionally well attended, involving around 900 artists. Vigdís took the opportunity to thank the Council of Representatives  for invaluable collaboration over the years, having started with the festival in 2016 and been reappointed in 2020.

The Executive Director, Fjóla Dögg Sverrisdóttir presented the 2023 financial statements, a summary of the festival's accounts, and the budget for 2024–2025. The festival’s financial standing is strong, and this year’s results were in line with projections.

Newly appointed Artistic Director Lára Sóley Jóhannsdóttir shared her vision for the festival’s future, saying, among other things:

“It is a great honour for me to have the opportunity to contribute to Reykjavík Arts Festival and to build upon the tireless, selfless, and outstanding work that has characterized the festival. Above all, I envision a festival where we all feel we belong to an open, inclusive, and progressive community, where the arts deepen and broaden our humanity.”

The mayor presented flowers to both Margrét M. Norðdahl and Vigdís Jakobsdóttir as a gesture of gratitude for their outstanding contributions to the festival and the city’s cultural life. The meeting attendees echoed his sentiments with enthusiastic applause.

Katrín Jakobsdóttir new Chairman of the Board

Vigdís Jakobsdóttir concluded her role as the artistic director of the Reykjavík Arts Festival on 30 September, after eight successful years in the position.

Vigdís' guiding principle in her work was that art and culture should not be the privilege of the few but the right of all. These were certainly not empty words, as she let her actions speak for themselves. During her tenure, she led an important strategic direction for the festival, focusing on accessibility and environmental issues, inspiring her colleagues to work towards this vision. She constantly sought new ways to bring high-quality cultural events to as many people as possible and emphasized that the artists and events at the festival should reflect the diversity and beauty of society in all its forms.

Vigdís demonstrated ambition, courage, and creativity in her role. These qualities shone brightly during the 2020-2021 pandemic when the program for the 2020 Festival was extended over a year, and events were carried out as public health restrictions allowed. It drew significant attention when the festival announced that it would not be canceled, unlike many festivals and events at that time. Towards the end of 2020, ArtGifts were delivered to the public across the country, an initiative that brought joy to both the people and the artists, who had hardly been able to perform for months.

The board and executive director of Reykjavík Arts Festival thank Vigdís for her generous and successful collaboration and for showing ambition, courage, and warmth in her work. We wish her all the best in whatever she takes on next and express our gratitude for the valuable legacy she leaves behind at the festival.

Photograph of Vigdís Jakobsdóttir was taken by Golli for Heimildin.

Vigdís concludes her role as Artistic Director

Reykjavík Arts Festival has moved from Gimli, Laekjargata 3 to Austurstraeti 5, 4th floor. 

The festival is now in excellent company as the same floor also houses the Icelandic Literature Center, Performing Arts Center Iceland, The Museum Council of Iceland and List fyrir alla. Iceland Music can also be found on the 2nd floor of the same building. 

The Reykjavík Arts Festival has been located in Bernhöftstorfa since its inception, starting operations in a single room in Gimli in 1969. From 1995 to 2010, the festival operated in the rear building that now houses Kornhladan, before moving back to Gimli.

Currently, access is only from Austurstræti, but the elevator there is old and not accessible to all. Improvements are underway to provide access from Hafnarstræti, and full accessibility to the festival’s office is expected within a few weeks.

The festival’s new postal address is Austurstræti 5, 101 Reykjavík.

Reykjavík Arts Festival has a new office

The Arts Festival Hub is the throbbing heart of the festival, offering a variety of exciting events - open to all, free of charge!

Reykjavík Arts Festival is a biennale and will next take place in June 2026.

Reykjavík Arts Festival hosts outstanding artistic creations from all corners of the world while also nurturing a powerful and vibrant relationship with its audiences, widening the circle to include as many as possible so that they may enjoy the arts on their own terms.

Reykjavík Arts Festival celebrates diversity and prioritises accessibility and respect for the environment in all decision making. Programming is driven by courage, professionalism, joy and big thinking.

We look forward to seeing you at the 2026 Reykjavík Arts Festival!

Welcome to Reykjavik Arts Festival!

Programme

Junction

Here is My Home

Arkív

Arts Festival Hub

Klúbbur Listahátíðar

The Arts Festival Hub is the throbbing heart of the festival, offering a variety of exciting events - open to all, free of charge!

News

Katrín Jakobsdóttir new Chairman of the Board

Vigdís concludes her role as Artistic Director

Reykjavík Arts Festival has a new office

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