Summer of Culture in Austurland 2026
Summer is the season for festivals and cultural events!
Read on to learn about the cultural highlights that Austurland will celebrate in the coming months. That’s in addition to all the stunning hiking trails, puffin colonies, photogenic canyons, roaring waterfalls, and all the other natural highs we offer.
There are plenty of reasons to travel east over the summer! We promise to give you a warm welcome.
Summer festivals
Put these dates in your calendar.
May 1-17 – Ljósmyndadagar á Seyðisfirði
Ljósmyndadagar á Seyðisfirði 2026 celebrates photography through the lens of local knowledge and community. The theme for this edition “Staðarvíska” highlights connections between place, practice, and people. The program features an exhibition of photographs by Ásgeir Jón Emilsson (Geiri), presented in collaboration with Skaftfell and Tækniminjasafn Austurlands. Over sixteen days, the festival will offer workshops led by distinguished international experts, alongside free public events including a community dinner, film screenings, artist talks, a collaborative portrait session.
Ljósmyndadagar á Seyðisfirði
June 1-20- Innsævi- The Innsævi arts festival will take place across Fjarðabyggð from June 1–20, 2026, featuring a wide range of events in towns from Breiðdalsvík to Mjóifjörður. Organized by the Cultural Centre of Fjarðabyggð in collaboration with artists and residents, the festival focuses on community participation, creativity, and diverse cultural experiences. A full program will be announced in May, with concerts, exhibitions, workshops, and community-led events already in development.
June 7 – Sjómannadagurinn (Fishermen's Festival)
A beloved celebration of Iceland’s seafaring heritage, marked across the country’s coastal towns. Each seaside village puts its own unique spin on the day with lively festivities, family-friendly activities, and a strong sense of local pride.
Neskaupsstaður. Photo: Nikoleta Savvaki.
June 17- Iceland's National Day
June 17th is Iceland’s National Day, celebrated to mark the founding of the republic in 1944 and the birthday of Jón Sigurðsson. It is a public holiday and an official flag day, characterized by parades, concerts, street performances, and a wide range of family friendly events across the country. Many towns in East Iceland also host their own celebrations and activities on this day.
June 20-27 – Gönguvikan í Fjarðabyggð (Fjarðabyggð Hiking Week)
An eight day celebration of outdoor adventure in the Eastfjords. Guided hikes for all fitness levels take you through fjords, mountains, valleys and historical and family-friendly trails. Evening entertainment, communal singing, and festive gatherings cap off each day. Hikers who conquer five local peaks earn the prestigious Fjarðabyggð Mountain Hiker title (kids need only three), while a nature school keeps little explorers engaged.
Barðsnes. Photo: Þráinn Kolbeinsson.
Skaftfell’s Solstice Festival- Dates for the 2026 festival are yet to be announced.
Now in its third year, this lively street festival celebrates the summer solstice with a full evening of activities for all ages. Enjoy creative workshops for children, a buzzing street fair with food and drink, live performances, cultural rituals, and music and dancing into the night. Hosted by Skaftfell Art Center in the heart of Seyðisfjörður, it’s a joyful celebration of light, art, and community.
June 20 – Great Forest Day at Hallormsstaðaskógur
A day dedicated to Iceland’s largest forest, Hallormsstaðaskógur. A family-friendly event featuring woodcutting competitions, a variety of grilled treats, kettle-brewed coffee and pancakes, with live music to entertain guests while the children play and have fun.
Hallormsstaðaskógur. Photo: Múlaþing.
July 4 – Dyrfjallahlaup- The Dyrfjöll Run in Borgarfjörður Eystri is a uniqe trail race for all levels, set in the stunning landscape of Dyrfjöll mountains. The event brings a lively atmosphere to the town, with concerts and other activities throughout the weekend. For those interested, you can join a beer run if you don't feel like heading up to the mountains.
Here you can follow along once the event schedule has been finalzed.
July 4- Hernámsdagurinn The Icelandic Wartime Museum
Occupation Day is Reyðarfjörður residents’ annual town festival, held on the first Saturday in July to commemorate the British occupation of Reyðarfjörður on 1 July 1940. The festival program includes a historical walking tour of the town and events at the Icelandic Wartime Museum, such as musical performances, presentations on the latest research into the wartime years, and art exhibitions. Guests get free access to the museum.
The museum is surrounded by a forest, with beautiful hiking trails leading up to the magnificent Búðarárfoss-waterfall
In 2026, the museum’s current permanent exhibition will be bid farewell, as a new permanent exhibition will open in a new exhibition building in the spring of 2027.
July 9-12 – Støð í Stöð
A lively weekend of art, music, local food, games, and community events in Stöðvarfjörður. Expect exhibitions, concerts, playful pop-ups, and summer night celebrations for all ages.
July 9-12 – Klifurhátíð á Seyðisfirði
Highlights include a climbing competition with great prizes, sauna and bonfire gatherings, a dance party, yoga warm-ups, and various fun activities like slacklining and surprise events. Set in the outdoor paradise of Seyðisfjörður, the festival also offers opportunities for climbing, hiking, and even contributing new routes ahead of the event. With two weekends reserved (July 9-12 july as the primary option, with a backup weekend 16-19 july if needed due to weather).
August 13-16- Útsæðið
This year marks the 10th anniversary of Útsæðið and the 240th anniversary of Eskifjörður as a trading town. The town festival Útsæðið is a celebration for the whole family, where locals and visitors alike come together to enjoy good company.The program includes movie screenings, a swimming pool foam party, concerts, a pub quiz, the country’s biggest barbecue featuring 10 whole lambs for guests, bouncy castles, a dance, coffee gatherings, and screenings of old films from Eskifjörður and the surrounding area, and much more—there’s plenty to enjoy during the Útsæðið festival days.
July 9-12 – Vopnaskak
Vopnafjörður’s summer festival is a weekend of family fun and community activity, with events including a swimming pool party, concerts, music, sports events, and open days at Bustarfell Museum.
French Days in Fáskrúðsfjörður.
July 15-19 – French Days in Fáskrúðsfjörður
From the latter part of the 19th century until 1935, Fáskrúðsfjörður was the main hub for French fishermen working off Iceland’s east coast. Today the town’s heritage is celebrated, with village road signs in French, a unique museum showcasing the era, and a French-themed festival every July.
July 25 – Bræðslan in Borgarfjörður eystri
Borgarfjörður eystri is home to this beloved music festival, a hit with Icelanders who head east for a night of great music and a real country-town gathering. During the week leading up to the festival, there’s a concert series at the town’s community center and bar, Fjarðarborg.
Neistaflug - Dates for the 2026 festival are yet to be announced.
Neskaupstaður’s family festival Neistaflug (the name translates as ‘Flying Sparks’) throws a party over the August long weekend and everyone is welcome. Music plays a big role, naturally.
Neistaflug in Neskaupsstaður.
Concerts aplenty
Aside from the music that highlights much of the summer festivals, there are some concert series to check out:
The Blue Church Concert Series in Seyðisfjörður is held each Wednesday evening from late June to early August. It’s a perfect way to appreciate one of the beautiful landmarks of this fjord, and there’s a diverse schedule that embraces folk bands, fusion, classical and more, with international performers too.
Seyðisfjörður. The Blue Church and The Rainbow street.
In Eskifjörður, Tónlistarmiðstöð Austurlands (or Austurland‘s music center) also has some treats in their calendar. Events are held in the Eskifjörður church.
BRJÁN: Blús, rokk og jazz klúbburinn á Nesi - The blues, rock, and jazz club at Neskaupstaður offers a variety of concerts. It's best to keep an eye on the schedule here.
Egilsstaðakirkja
Check out what’s happening at Tehúsið, not just a hostel, it’s also a friendly café-bar and concert venue. It's best to keep an eye on the schedule here.
The best advice: ask around when you arrive in town (at your accommodation, at local cafes etc), and check our Event Page as well as Facebook pages for events. You never know what you might stumble across!
Cultural centers and exhibits
It’s always worth investigating what the local cultural centers are planning when you’re in town. It could be anything from art exhibitions to concerts, theater performances, and often great food and atmosphere. The Facebook pages of such centers are a great source of up-to-date information.
Sláturhúsið in Egilsstaðir
Sláturhúsið Art Center, Center for Performing Arts located in a newly renovated slaughterhouse, hence the name Sláturhúsið, in Egilsstadir. Besides performing arts; theatre, dance and performances, Slaturhusid is an important venue for visual arts with exciting exhibitions all year round. Sláturhúsið also hosts monthly jazz concerts as well as broader musical genres.
The Kjarval exhibition is open year-round, dedicated to one of Iceland’s most beloved visual artists, Jóhannes S. Kjarval, who had strong ties to East Iceland.
The exhibition in East Iceland is a heritage display that recites the story of Kjarval as a person and explores his connection to the region.
The Cultural Center of Fjarðabyggð is based in Neskaupstaður and has some summer concerts planned, featuring well-known Icelandic artists.
Sköpunarmiðstöðin in Stöðvafjörður- a hub for creative industries is the newest cultural center in East Iceland, located in the old fish freezing plant in Stöðvarfjörður. A wide range of facilities has been developed there, including workshops for metal, wood, and ceramics, a print studio, the fully equipped recording studio Stúdíó Síló, and a 115-square-meter concert hall for events and rehearsals.
Skaftfell Art Center in Seyðisfjörður- hosts a contemporary art exhibbition program, an international artist residency, year-round arts education, the Prentverk Seyðisfjörður printmaking workshop, and a range of cultural events and public programs.
While you’re in Seyðisfjörður, downstairs from the art center is Skaftfell Bistro, a cozy artistic restaurant and bar serving seasonal bistro cuisine. Over summer, you’ll often find live music or a DJ here as the night wears on.
Skaftfell. Photo: Jessica Auer.
Museums and exhibits
Austurland’s museums showcase the history and nature of the area, together with the creative output of people who have found inspiration here.
You can uncover maritime legends and trading souvenirs, hear stories of local characters and unique wildlife that resides here, and encounter beautiful geological finds.
Here’s a sample of worthy pitstops. These places will give you a better understanding of what makes Austurland tick, and often delve into what was unique here in years gone by.
Bustarfell near Vopnafjörður – Bustarfell in Vopnafjörður is one of the oldest and best preserved Icelandic turf houses, now a museum that has been owned by the same family since 1532. A visit offers a glimpse into Icelandic farm life from the 18th to the 20th century, with preserved rooms, kitchens from different eras, and artifacts showing how daily life and technology evolved.
Burstafell. Photo: Jessica Auer.
East Iceland Heritage Museum in Egilsstaðir – East Iceland Heritage Museum preserves and presents the cultural history, traditions, and community life of the region. The museum features two permanent exhibitions: Reindeer in East Iceland and Sustainable Unit. In addition, temporary and smaller thematic exhibitions are hosted throughout the year. The current special exhibition is titled Landnámskonan – The Settlement Woman.
Langabúð in Djúpivogur
Langabúð is the oldest building in Djúpivogur, dating from 1790. Today it’s the cornerstone of the local community - home to sculptures, a heritage museum, and a sweet café. It hosts a menu of events all year round, from concerts to quiz nights.
The French Museum in Fáskrúðsfjörður – The French at Iceland’s Fishing Grounds is undoubtedly one of the most remarkable museums in the country. Not only for its design and unique approach to the subject, but also for the atmosphere it creates. It offers a vivid close up of the lives of sailors aboard the French schooners that fished in Icelandic waters, allowing visitors to clearly sense their conditions and daily life. The museum also provides valuable insight into the work of the French Hospital and its important activities around the turn of the 20th century.
The French Museum. Photo: Pétur Sörensson.
Maritime Museum in Eskifjörður – Boats have long been vital to life in Iceland, for fishing, trade, and more. Visit the maritime museum to learn more about the region’s close ties to the sea.
Petra’s Stone Collection in Stöðvarfjörður – Admire a glittering collection of geological gems amassed by one remarkable local woman.
Wartime Museum in Reyðarfjörður- The museum gives a vivid insight into life during the war in a country wich has never had an army or been at war.
Safnahúsið in Norðfjörður – Stop by the town’s three-in-one museum that houses a natural history collection, a maritime exhibit, and the modernist artworks of local painter Tryggvi Ólafsson.
Safnahúsið. Photo: Michael Novtotny.
Snæfellsstofa Visitor Centre – This is the information center for the eastern territory of the huge, remarkable Vatnajökull National Park. At Snæfellsstofa, the exhibition The Wheel of the World explores the cycles and formation of nature, with a focus on the interaction between vegetation and wildlife in the eastern part of the national park. The exhibition is designed to be interactive, allowing children to touch, smell, and try out various displays, and the visitor center also features a souvenir shop offering locally made products.
Technical Museum in Seyðisfjörður – This museum is bouncing back after damage caused by recent landslides. There’s an exhibition in and around the old workshop entitled Búðareyri: stories of transformation, proudly sharing local stories and innovation.
Wilderness Center in Norðurdalur – Deep in a picturesque valley is this unique farm where you can visit (or stay overnight) and try out plenty of activities. Enjoy a hands-on experience of Icelandic history and hear the stories of Icelanders at the edge of the highlands.
More insights into the past
Skriðuklaustur in Fljótsdalur is always worth a trip, Skriðuklaustur is home to a uniquely photogenic building; a museum dedicated to the former owner, writer Gunnar Gunnarsson (1889-1975); the ruins of a 16th-century monastery; exhibitions and events; a great play area for kids; and a renowned café serving a buffet of local flavors and delicious cakes.
Skriðuklaustur. Photo: Jessica Auer.
Lindarbakki in Borgarfjörður eystri – This small turf house dates from 1899, although most of what you see was built in the 1930s. Lindarbakki is a photogenic favorite for the grass growing on its roof and red exterior walls, plus the cozy interior that gives visitors the opportunity to step into a different era.
Lindarbakki in Borgafjörður Eystri
Randulffssjóhús (Randulff’s Seahouse) in Eskifjörður – Charming fishing sheds line Eskifjörður’s shoreline, and most of them are still in use. In summer, Randulff’s opens as a restaurant and museum. Visit for fresh fish dishes plus an atmospheric step back in time.
Sænautasel – For a rustic slice of old Iceland, detour to this farm for pancakes and coffee in the turf buildings, or lakeside camping amid serene nature. It’s on road F907, but if you’re driving from the north, the road is usually passable in summer in regular vehicles (it’s 4.3km / 2 miles from the turn-off).
For information about interesting events and happenings, explore our event calendar.
Words: Carolyn Bain & Lilja Sigríður Jónsdóttir