A parade files down the streets of Reykjavik as onlookers watch from the pavements and open windows. It’s National Day in Iceland, the annual celebration of the country’s independence. Festival activities are scattered across the city centre; shopping, eating, and merry making have taken over. Even though the sun will not set until close to midnight, fireworks start to go off in the evening and the brilliant bursts of colour contrast with the eternal twilight. National Day will be celebrated once again this year on 17th June 2024, marking the Eightieth time. Although a lot has changed in Iceland over the past eighty years, National Day is the perfect time to look at Icelandic culture; namely food, clothing and music that all remain a timeless part of the celebration.

A brief history of national days in June

Iceland’s National Day is the annual holiday commemorating the foundation as The Republic of Iceland following independence from Denmark. The date in June wasn’t chosen for Iceland’s long summer days and Midnight Sun, though, the date was selected to commemorate the birthday of Jón Sigurðsson, an Icelander who pioneered the movement from the earliest chapter of the independence campaign for independence from Denmark. Of all the holidays in Iceland, National Day festival activities are the most ingrained with Icelandic culture

A committee member is chosen from each town to recite a poem at the Reykjavik opening ceremony, always female and always clad in “Skautbúningur” (the fanciest of traditional Icelandic costumes). The women are given the title “Fjallkona,” meaning “woman of the mountain.” She is representative of the Icelandic fierce spirit. However, it’s not only the Fjallkona who dresses up; a big number of Icelanders dress up in traditional Icelandic clothing for the occasion when attending the festivities. Many, for instance, wear traditional Icelandic patterned wool sweaters. The official program of activities on National Day begins at 10am in central Reykjavik and the programme continues until 7pm. Iceland population’s preparations for National Day 2024 have the hashtag #Icelandisopen

Some Icelanders might prepare for National Day by treating themselves to new lopi yarn sweater as an indicator of national pride. Others may be excitedly preparing for small gatherings of family and friends at home before or after the official programme of events. Icelandic National Day celebrations include parades through towns and villages, often led by a brass band preceded by riders on Icelandic horses and flagbearers from the Scout movement.

Did you know?
There is not a special UK wide national holiday like this one in Iceland.
Only Denmark and the UK don’t have a national day.
However, each country in the UK does have a day to celebrate their patron saint:

  • Scotland has a public holiday and celebrates St Andrew’s Day on 30th November
  • Northern Ireland has a public holiday and celebrates St Patrick’s Day on 17th March
  • Wales celebrates St David’s Day on 1st March each year
  • England celebrates St George’s Day on 23rd April which coincides with the birthday of William Shakespeare

The Iceland National Day is a big celebration in the whole of Iceland and Icelanders utilise the hashtag #Icelandisopen to spread the word. All Icewear stores will be open for the celebrations. Be sure to stop by if you’re visiting Iceland. If you’re reading from overseas or won’t be joining us in Reykjavik, you can follow us on social media to view show the festivities.