Icelandair 2007/2008 Travel Planner - (Page Calendar) www.icelandair.com ICELAND CALENDAR Icelanders love a good party, so there’s always something going on. Here are some of our favorites as well as a list of holidays to help in your planning. Play close attention to the holidays listed in orange as many businesses close on these days. JANUARY 20 I THORRABLOTS BEGIN I Viking celebration with traditional Icelandic foods like sheep’s head and rams’… well, we’ll leave it to your imagination. Runs through mid-February. special performances and trendy gatherings. JUNE 7 - 8 I FESTIVAL OF THE SEA I Icelanders love the sea, with many still making their living off the pristine waters surrounding the island. Festivities abound. FEBRUARY 4 I BUN DAY I The Monday of Mardi Gras week, Icelandic children beg for special “creampuffs” from their parents. If you’re lucky, maybe you’ll get one. 17 I ICELAND NATIONAL DAY I Join the locals and celebrate Iceland’s independence from Denmark. 7 - 9 I WINTER LIGHTS FESTIVAL I Celebrate the magical Northern Lights during prime viewing season. FOOD & FUN FESTIVAL I Gourmet food, celebrity chefs and more. Check out www.foodandfun.is for the details. 21 I SUMMER SOLSTICE I Watch the sun set and rise within minutes of each other on this longest day of the year. SEPTEMBER 15 I SHEEP ROUND-UPS BEGIN I Head to the countryside to join Icelandic farmers in rounding up the sheep for the winter. These round-ups are popular gettogethers. REYKJAVIK JAZZ FESTIVAL I Hot Jazz tunes from top International and local acts fill various clubs and bars throughout downtown Reykjavik. ICELAND INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL I An atypical film festival. While you can still catch “artsy” flicks, this gathering also has a children’s film component. See you at the movies. 21–23 I ARCTIC OPEN GOLF TOURNAMENT I Midnight tee times. Can you get any cooler?!? JUNE 30 - JULY 6 I ICELANDAIR HORSE FESTIVAL I See the country’s finest Icelandic horses perform in Hella and witness their unique “fifth gait” firsthand. MARCH 1 I BEER DAY I Not long ago, beer was banned in Iceland. No more! Raise a glass to the merry end to prohibition. JULY 12 I LAUGAVEGUR “ULTRA” MARATHON I An off-road marathon where participants run through beautiful scenery. Only real Vikings need apply. 9 I MYVATN HORSE RACING ON ICE I The name says it all. Where else could this take place but rugged and beautiful North Iceland? 20 - 24 I EASTER HOLIDAY 27 - 29 I REYKHOLT CLASSICAL MUSIC FESTIVAL I Classical tunes in a classical setting make for a perfect summer weekend. APRIL 24 I FIRST DAY OF SUMMER/ TRAVELER’S DAY I Herald the coming of longer days and warmer nights. Many Reykjavik museums and attractions have free admission today. OCTOBER 15 - 19 I ICELAND AIRWAVES I Rocking every October, no other music festival compares. AUGUST 4 I BANK HOLIDAY I Everyone heads to the Westman Islands to camp and party. DECEMBER 12 I ARRIVAL OF CHRISTMAS ELVES I The first of 13 mischevious Christmas Elves arrives this day. One will follow each day until Christmas, each with a unique personality and trick to play. You better behave! 28 I FOSSAVATN CROSS COUNTRY SKI RACE I Running more than 70 years, this annual ski race is set among the ethereal West Fjords. 8 - 10 I GAY PRIDE FESTIVAL I The streets of Reykjavik shut down for an all day fête. All are welcome and celebrated. MAY 1 I LABOR DAY 1 I ASCENSION DAY 11 - 12 I WHIT SUNDAY LATE MAY/JUNE I Reykjavik Arts Festival I Enjoy art exhibits, 16 I REYKJAVIK MARATHON & CULTURE NIGHT I A run through the streets of Reykjavik, followed by a massive street festival and capped off with an awesome fireworks display. Half the country shows up for this wild day! 24–26 I CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY 31–JANUARY 1 I NEW YEAR’S HOLIDAY I The New Year is toasted with countrywide bonfires and a midnight fireworks display for as far as the eye can see. http://www.icelandair.com http://www.foodandfun.is
For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.