Ljósanótt festival draws up to 30,000 visitors to Reykjanesbær

Ljósanótt, Reykjanesbær’s annual festival, begins tomorrow and is expected to attract between 20,000 and 30,000 visitors, mbl.is reports. The four-day event runs through Sunday.

“This is Reykjanesbær’s biggest open house and a splendid festival with something for everyone,” Mayor Vilhjálmur Árnason said.

The festival opens with a children’s event in Skrúðgarður park, featuring a performance by Páll Óskar. Several exhibitions will also open around the town.

Friday will feature home concerts and traditional meat soup. On Saturday, residents and visitors will gather in groups according to their year of birth and walk through the town together.

The festival’s main event will take place on Saturday evening, with a major concert by Emmsjé Gauti followed by fireworks. The festival will conclude on Sunday with, among other events, a concert honouring Gunnar Þórðarson.

Árnason said anticipation was growing throughout the town and that several events, including the meat soup served in front of the stage on Tjarnargata, had become established traditions.

“As this is the Beatles Town, people can naturally expect plenty of music, culture and art to dominate the entire weekend,” he said. “Everyone is welcome, and I look forward to welcoming people from across the country to Reykjanesbær.”