What’s On in Reykjavík – May 2025
May is blossoming with creativity, culture, and a dash of playful rebellion in Reykjavík. Whether you're a music lover, art enthusiast, innovation nerd, or just looking for something fun to do, there's plenty to explore this month. Here's a curated selection of exciting events happening in the city this May.
Reykjavík Folk Festival
May 1–3 | Iðnó & RVK Bruggfélag (Tónabíó)
The Reykjavík Folk Festival returns to celebrate its 15th anniversary with three days of heartfelt, acoustic music. Following the international folk festival model, this event highlights the joy of live performance and traditional instruments. The main events happen at Iðnó on May 2nd and 3rd, with an opening night at RVK Bruggfélag in Tónabíó on May 1st.
Roller Derby: Þríhöfði
May 10 | Hertz Höllin (Grótta)
Get ready for a full-blown roller skate party! Iceland’s only roller derby team, Ragnarök, welcomes teams from Denmark and the UK for an international showdown. Schedule:
• 11:00 – Doors open • 11:30 – Ragnarök vs Copenhagen Roller Derby • 13:45 – Ragnarök vs Team Unicorn • 16:00 – Copenhagen Roller Derby vs Team Unicorn
Don't miss this rare chance to witness the thrills of roller derby—and go Ragnarök!
Spring Exhibition – Reykjavík School of Visual Arts
May 8–12 | Rauðarárstígur 10
The school's annual Spring Exhibition opens May 8 at 3 PM in its new location near Hlemmur. Featuring over 400 works from students of all ages and disciplines—from ceramics to textiles, math-inspired art to final graduation projects—this is a great opportunity to dive into the diverse world of Icelandic art education.
Wacken Metal Battle – Iceland Finals
May 10 | Iðnó
Seven local metal bands will battle it out at the legendary venue Iðnó for a chance to represent Iceland at Wacken Open Air—one of the world’s biggest metal festivals. The audience also gets a say, so show up early and support your favorite!
Special performances by Power Paladin and Krownest add extra fire to the night.
Open Rehearsals – Iceland Symphony Orchestra
Thursdays at 10:00 | Harpa Concert Hall
Every Thursday morning, the Iceland Symphony Orchestra invites guests to join their open rehearsals—a unique peek behind the scenes at world-class musicians fine-tuning their craft.
Iceland Innovation Week
May 12–16 | Various locations around Reykjavík
Innovation takes center stage during this annual celebration of fresh ideas and creative thinking. Expect talks, company visits, networking events, happy hours—and even a dip in the cold North Atlantic! From startups to public institutions, the whole ecosystem gets involved in showcasing what’s next.
Basement Burlesque
May 17 | National Theatre Basement
Once the curtain falls upstairs, things get wild downstairs. This underground cabaret features burlesque, circus acts, drag, and more—never the same show twice. With over 40 artists rotating through the stage (plus occasional guests from London, Berlin, and NYC), this variety show is a riot of color and creativity.
Doors: 21:30 | Show: 22:00 18+ only – not for the faint of heart.
Legends of Anime: Live in Concert
May 17 | Harpa Concert Hall
Calling all anime fans! The Swan Wind Orchestra presents an epic concert featuring music from beloved anime like Cowboy Bebop, My Neighbor Totoro, and The Wind Rises. A cosplay contest and big-screen projections turn this into a full-blown celebration of anime culture. Whether you're 8 or 88, there’s magic here for everyone.
New Icelandic Music – Reykjavík Big Band May 25 | Harpa Convert Hall
The Reykjavík Big Band debuts brand-new music by a lineup of Icelandic composers. A must for fans of jazz, composition, and local talent, this is a wonderful opportunity to hear something completely fresh.
