How To Celebrate Iceland's National Day

The Icelandic National Day – called Þjóðhátíðardagurinn in Icelandic – is an annual holiday to commemorate the foundation of the Republic of Iceland on June 17th, 1944, which also marks the end of Denmark’s rule over Iceland. The date is the birthday of Jón Sigurðsson, the leader of the 19th-century independence movement in Iceland. If you find yourself in Iceland on June 17th, you can expect to see a display of national pride in every village and city on the island, especially in Reykjavik.

In Reykjavik, the largest parade can be found travelling through urban areas as it is led by a brass band and riders on Icelandic horses. Also at the front of the parade are flag-bearers that make their way to Austurvollur square in downtown Reykjavik where speeches are made. Each year, a woman is chosen to represent the Fjallkonan, or woman of the mountain, who dresses in the traditional Icelandic national costume and recites a poem.

The Fjallkonan is representative of the female spirit of the Icelandic nation and is an embodiment of Icelandic nature itself. The female national dress is also representative of the period in Iceland when the first steps towards independence were made in the late 19th century. This year, the Icelandic drag queen Gógó Starr will lead the National Day Parade as the Fjallkonan, a huge breakthrough in Iceland’s already established LGBTQ community.

The Icelandic National Day celebrations in Reykjavík last from 10am to 7pm. The day’s celebrations begin with the chiming of all of the church bells in the city. As part of the Icelandic government’s national day celebrations, the ceremony begins at Austurvöllur Square followed by a parade from Austurvöllur to Suðurgata Cemetery, where the Chairman of the City Council lays flowers on the grave of Jón Sigurðsson. Later in the day, the celebrations include street theatre programmes, activities, and concerts all around Reykjavik. You can find more information on the city’s website.

Culture Trips launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes places and communities so special.

Our immersive trips, led by Local Insiders, are once-in-a-lifetime experiences and an invitation to travel the world with like-minded explorers. Our Travel Experts are on hand to help you make perfect memories. All our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.?>

All our travel guides are curated by the Culture Trip team working in tandem with local experts. From unique experiences to essential tips on how to make the most of your future travels, we’ve got you covered.