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What's Happening in Iceland This Week: Local Events Near You, Free Things to Do, Concerts and Football

Local Notes

What's on this week, with dates and places checked against the organisers.

Live, updates every day

Today's light

Sunrise

08:12

Sunset

18:17

Daylight

10h 6m

Check your region: Akureyri, Egilsstaðir, Vík and more →

Planning a trip? Send us your plan and we will read your route, driving days, packing and arrival details before you travel, and tell you what holds up and what to change.

Send us your plan

Planning an October to April road trip? Run the 12 winter checks

Bleika slaufan: Pink October

A meaningful Icelandic souvenir: the Cancer Society's annual ribbon pin, sold in shops nationwide.

  • The ribbon pin: designed anew each year, and a real keepsake you can take home, not just a donation. The price is set each year and has not been confirmed for 2026, so check at the till.
  • Pink Day: Wednesday, October 21. People wear pink in solidarity.
  • Where the money goes: patient support, research and education through the Icelandic Cancer Society.

The campaign opens September 30 at Perlan. Details: krabb.is/bleika-slaufan

Reykjavík this week

October 12 to 18, 2026

All indoors, all downtown, no Icelandic needed. If wind or rain cancels your drive, pick one of these instead.

  • Nordic Film Feast at Bíó Paradís

    Nordic films with English subtitles, paired with food. Hverfisgata 54, a short walk from Laugavegur. Check the programme for times.

    Bíó Paradís programme →

  • Karlakór Reykjavíkur: 100 year concert

    Iceland's best known male choir marks its centenary. Choral music needs no translation. Ticketed, confirm venue and time with the choir.

    Karlakór Reykjavíkur →

  • English comedy night, downtown

    Standup in English, low cost, easy for solo travellers after dinner. Check the listing for this week's night and venue.

    Event listings →

  • Free lunchtime concert at Harpa, Wednesday 12:00

    Forget-Me-Not: classical students from the Iceland University of the Arts, in Hörpuhorn, the open space in front of Eldborg. No ticket, just walk in.

    Harpa programme →

  • The World of Icelandic Music, daily at Harpa

    Exhibition open every day 10:00 to 20:00, 3,990 ISK. A warm indoor hour when the weather turns.

  • Free live music: most nights from about 20:00

    Hús máls og menningar, The Old Bookshop, Laugavegur 18. No ticket. Locals and visitors mixed.

Checked October 12. Listings change: confirm with the organiser or call the venue before a special trip.

Beyond Reykjavík this week

October 12 to 18, 2026

  • North: live music at Græni Hatturinn, Akureyri

    Akureyri's main small venue, Hafnarstræti, central town. Ticketed. See this week's acts on their page.

    Græni Hatturinn this week →

Driving out? Studded tyres are allowed from October 15, and snow and ice are possible in the north, east and on high roads even when Reykjavík feels mild. Check road.is and vedur.is first.

Checked October 12. Call ahead: listings and hours can change.

Arriving Soon? Take These With You.

Two field-tested checklists to help you pack right and land feeling steady.

Packing ChecklistArrival Checklist

The essentials, always here. Tap any section to open it.

Driving Safety in Iceland

Wind, sheep, single lane bridges, F roads, road.is

  • • Strong winds can damage car doors when opening. Hold firmly
  • • Watch for sheep wandering onto roads, especially in rural areas
  • • Single lane bridges require yielding to oncoming traffic
  • • If you're not used to winter driving, consider renting a 4x4 and checking road.is daily
  • • F roads are unpaved highland routes that require a 4x4. Standard rental cars are not insured for them

What to Wear in Iceland

Layers, windproof shell, hoods and cuffs, footwear

  • • Thin inner warm layers work better than one heavy jacket
  • • A windproof and waterproof outer shell matters more than warmth
  • • Tight hoods and cuffs make a big difference in strong wind
  • • Waterproof, comfortable sneakers are often more useful than boots for walking around, just add a pair of warm socks

Iceland Weather: What to Expect

Wind over rain, fast changes, black ice, vedur.is

  • • Wind affects plans more than rain or temperature
  • • Road and weather conditions can change within hours. Check vedur.is before heading out
  • • In winter, black ice is common. Shoe cleats help on sidewalks and trails
  • • If conditions feel unsafe, it's always okay to change plans. Locals do this regularly

Timing & Pacing

Things start late, quiet Sundays, longer drives

  • • Things often start later than expected
  • • Sundays are quieter, with fewer shops open
  • • Driving distances take longer than they look

Costs

Eating out is dear, no tipping, grocery prices vary

  • • Eating and drinking out is expensive
  • • Locals often meet at home before going out
  • • Tipping is not expected
  • • Grocery prices vary widely between stores

Mobile Data

SIM and eSIM at the airport, coverage outside the city

  • • SIM and eSIM cards available at the airport and city shops
  • • Coverage matters outside Reykjavík, especially in remote areas

Nature Rules

Stay on paths, never walk on moss, no off-road driving

  • • Stay on marked paths and trails
  • • Never walk on moss, it takes decades to recover
  • • No off-road driving, heavy fines apply

Iceland Pool Etiquette: Shower Rules and Hot Pots

The nude shower rule, gender separated changing, hot pots

A nude shower is required before entering any public pool. This is a hygiene rule, not optional, and it applies to everyone, including visitors.

Changing areas are gender separated. The routine is quick, practical, and entirely normal here. But if you're visiting for the first time, it can feel like a bigger moment than anyone prepares you for.

Read the full Pool Etiquette guide →

Covers the shower routine step by step, tips for anxious visitors and teenagers, hot pot culture, what to bring, and the best pools to visit.

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Weather & Conditions

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What to Pack

Clothing and gear for Iceland