The 2024 Reykjavík Arts Festival will kick off on Saturday June 1, with the formal opening taking place at Hafnarhús, Reykjavík Art Museum at 2pm. Minister of Culture Lilja D. Alfreðsdóttir will host a reception where the festival's Artistic Director Vigdís Jakobsdóttir and museum director Ólöf Kristín Sigurðardóttir will address guests.

At the same time, Jónsi's solo exhibition Flood will open at the museum, inviting visitors into an immersive world of sounds, light and scent. Flood is this renowned artist's first solo exhibition in Europe.

Also appearing at the opening reception is the Polish-Ukrainian band DAGADANA whose concert at Harpa on Sunday is not to be missed.

The Iceland Dance Company along with dancers from the street dance scene will present an excerpt from Hooman Sharifi's work, While in battle I'm free, never free to rest, which is premiering at the Reykjavík City Theatre on June 7.

Guests will also be treated to a sneak peek at choreographer Ásrún Magnúsdóttir's work Duets, to be performed at the Reykjavík City Theatre on June 9.

There will be festival magic in the air outside Iðnó where the band Hnokkar will start playing at 2.40pm. They will then dance and sing on their way over to Hafnarhús to pick up reception guests in time for The Sea Monsters, a street theatre event for all ages. The Sea Monsters were created by the circus company Hringleikur and Pilkington Props.

Be with us from the start - don't miss the opening day of the 2024 Reykjavík Arts Festival!