Iceland’s National Day – 17 June 2026

The National Day of Iceland, celebrated on 17 June, holds a special place in the hearts of the people of Akureyri, as well as Icelanders throughout the country.

Happy National Day!

Below is the programme for the celebrations in Akureyri on 17 June 2026.
Residents and visitors are encouraged to use environmentally friendly transportation to and from the festival area.
🎉 Let’s celebrate National Day together! Join the parade in full force!

Parade through Town
12:30 PM Hæ hó jibbí jei!
The parade, led by the Klakkur Scout Group and the Akureyri Brass Band, departs from the former Housekeeping School on Þórunnarstræti 99 at 12:30 and marches south to the Botanical Garden (Lystigarðurinn), where the official celebrations will take place. 
Everyone is encouraged to join the parade!

Akureyri’s Flower Truck
11:00 AM The Truck decorated with flowers departs from Naustaskóli at 11.00 and drives through the residential neighbourhoods, down Art Alley (Listagilið), along Strandgata and other streets, spreading National Day cheer with traditional 17 June music from the truck's speakers.
🎶 Keep your ears open and give the truck a wave as it passes by!
The truck route can be found HERE.

Official Ceremony in the Botanical Garden
🕐 13:00–13:45(1:00 PM – 1:45 PM)

• Flag salute
• Akureyri Brass Band, conducted by Sóley Björk Einarsdóttir
• Prayer and blessing by Jóhanna Gísladóttir, parish priest 
• Senior Citizens’ Choir conducted by Petra Björk Pálsdóttir
• Fjallkonan (The Lady of the Mountain): Anna María Antonsdóttir, new graduate of Akureyri Junior College (MA)
• Address by the Mayor of Akureyri, Berglind Ósk Guðmundsdóttir

Family Entertainment in the Botanical Garden
🕐 13:45–16:00 (1:45 PM – 4:00 PM)

• Vilhjálmur B. Bragason, Akureyri's Artist of the Year
• Dance performance by Steps Dancecenter
• Mahaut Matharel, Akureyri Summer Artist, accompanied by Steinunn Arnbjörg Stefánsdóttir
• Karólína Orradóttir, accompanied by Hallgrímur Jónas Ómarsson
• Jónsi and Erna Hrönn
• Dance performance by DSA Akureyri School of Performing Arts
• Paw Patrol (Hvolpasveitin)

Activities on the MA Grounds
🕐 13:30–17:00 (1:30 PM – 5:00 PM)

• Bouncy castles
• Face painting (2:00 PM – 4:00 PM)
• Disc golf (Frisbee golf) with the Akureyri Disc Golf Club in Stefánslundur (north on MA Grounds)
• Street basketball with Þór Basketball Club near the MA Sports Hall
• Beanbag toss games
• Laser target shooting with laser rifles, hosted by the Biathlon Division of the Akureyri Ski Club, on the MA grounds west of the student dormitory
• Scout sales tent / booth
• Scout funfair and activities

Food Vendors

• Silli Kokkur
• Don Donuts
• Foks Food
• Happy Pancakes
• Thai seri

Harbour Cruise on Húni II
4:30 PM Enjoy a 45-minute cruise aboard the historic fishingvessel Húni II.
Departure: Fishing Harbour, north of ÚA, directly below Hagkaup.
An additional sailing at 5:30 PM will be added if demand requires.

Let us celebrate Iceland’s National Day together!

Join the parade, enjoy the festivities, and experience a wonderful day of music, culture, family activities, and community spirit in Akureyri.
Visitors and residents are encouraged to choose environmentally friendly transportation whenever possible.

Program subject to change.

All National Day activities are free of charge.

Festival Area Map

Main Parking Spots Around the Festival Area

Parking by the Sports Hall (Íþróttarhöllin) – 400 m
Parking by Akureyri Swimming Pool – 530 m
Parking by former Krambúðin – 530 m
Parking by Akureyri Vocational School (Verkmenntaskólinn) – 620 m
Parking by Kaupvangur – 1000 m
Parking by Berjaya Akureyri Hotel – 730 m
Parking below Rosenborg – 600 m
Parking by Akureyri Junior College on Eyrarlandsvegur – 310 m