Grímsey Day takes place at the beginning of June each year. An annual fest focusing on old traditions from Grímsey. Collecting eggs, boat tours, childrens games, seek out the eggs of the Artic Tern, enjoy seasonal local food, music etc.
Grímsey is situtated on the Arctic Circle 41 kms off the North coast of Iceland. The present population is around 90 inhabitants. Visitors can enjoy the wonderful scenery and birdlife that the island has to offer. Thousands of puffins and sea birds nest on the island. You can fly or take a ferry out to Grímsey.
For more information www.grimsey.is
Grímsey Festival 2013 takes place over the weekend 31st of May - 2nd of June.
Visiting Grímsey is a great experience. You can cross the arctic circle, see amazing views, sit and watch thousands of birds nesting and enjoy the midnight sun. There are good facilities on the island; The Krían Restaurant, Gullsól and Básar Guesthouses, Gallery Sól a souvenier shop which sells handcrafted products made by the women of Grímsey, an indoor swimming pool, campsite and supermarket. The Grímsey Church was built in 1867 and was extended and renovated in 1932. The Alter Center Piece was made by Arngrímur Gíslason in 1878 and is a replication of a piece by Leonardo da Vinci.
Grímsey was named after a farmer from Grenivík named Grímur who is thought to have been the first man to make the island his home in the 12th century. He was said to be the brother of Kolbeinn, after which the island Kolbeinsey is named.
It is written in old sagas that Grímsey is the home to many elves, trolls and "hidden people" and that they have a church on the island at a place called Nónbrík.
Prestaskvompa (Priest's Hollow) is a cave that passes under the whole island. Its name comes from an old legend. A pastor rowed into the cave with four companions to explore it, none of them were ever seen again.
Program 2013
Friday 31. May
- 18.00 Orienteering around the island, competition in finding as many eggs of the artic tern and catching as many fishes as possible.
- 21.00 Demonstration on how to decent of a cliff.
- 22.30 Gathering outside at a place called Fótur to sing and have fun with the locals. Someone will most definitely bring their harmonica
Saturday 1.June
- 12.00 Celebration in honour of Fishermen´s Day in Grímsey by the harbour. Lot´s of fun happening around the island to celebrate the festival.
- 19.00 Seafood buffet at Múli for the whole family, prepared by the housewives of Grímsey.
- 24.00 Live music at Múli
- The artist Brynhildur creates mosaic art work at the harbour on Saturday and everyone is allowed to help out.
Sunday 2. June - Fishermen´s Day
- 13.00 The Grímsey tour, program not to be announced beforehand (depends on weather).
How to get to Grímsey:
Flights to and from Grímsey Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Departure from Akureyri at 13.15 and from Grímsey at 14.55. Special extra flight because of the festival will be
from Akureyri at 10.00 and from Hrísey at 11.00.
The ferry Sæfari has a schedule between Dalvík and Grímsey all year around three times a week, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The sailing takes around 3 hours each way and
the ferry can take up to 108 passengers. Dalvík is about 40 km north of Akureyri and the drive is about 30 min.
Akureyrarstofa