Reykjavík’s Culture Night to be biggest yet

Reykjavík’s Culture Night will be the largest in the event’s history, according to Mayor Hildur Björnsdóttir, who credited residents, artists and businesses for helping shape this year’s celebrations, mbl.is reports.

Culture Night will take place on Saturday, August 22. The festival was first held in 1996 and will feature events throughout central Reykjavík during the day. The Íslandsbanki Reykjavík Marathon will start as usual in the morning by the University of Iceland, linking the celebrations from morning until evening.

This year’s event will also mark the 240th anniversary of Reykjavík.

“The festival has never been larger than it is this year. Residents, artists and businesses have shown tremendous interest in taking part in the celebrations. It is because of them that the festival is so diverse and enjoyable,” Björnsdóttir told mbl.is.

The mayor said the focus would remain on Culture Night as a family festival and encouraged families to spend the day together in the city centre.

“We hope residents can come and enjoy themselves together on Saturday, but also go home together in the evening,” she said.

Björnsdóttir said her own schedule would include starting the Reykjavík Marathon, attending an anniversary exhibition by a forestry association at Reykjavík City Hall and possibly visiting a waffle coffee gathering in the Þingholt neighbourhood.

About 400 events are scheduled, she said, making it impossible to attend them all, but she planned to take in as many as possible.