First Day of Summer
22.04.2026
Lestrar 6
Photo: María H. Tryggvadóttir
23rd April is the Sumardagurinn fyrsti (First Day of Summer). This is an Icelandic public holiday marking the traditional start of summer, celebrated on the first Thursday after April 18. Rooted in the old Norse calendar, it symbolizes the transition from winter into lighter, brighter days.
This year, the weather feels especially fitting, with recent temperatures around 15°C and a forecast of about 10°C tomorrow, along with clear skies and sunshine. Even though Icelandic weather is famously unpredictable, the day is widely seen as a celebration of optimism, renewal, and the arrival of summer.
A cherished tradition is the giving of summer gifts (sumargjafir) to children, often small presents such as clothes, or toys for the coming summer season. These gifts mark the beginning of summer and add an extra sense of joy and anticipation for the season ahead.