Iceland's National Day Celebrations

If you are in Iceland on June 17th, join in the celebration of it's National Day. This day marks the country's independence from Denmark in June of 1944.

Each year on June 17, Icelanders take to the streets of Reykjavik to celebrate with parades, dances, street theatre and more from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. The festivities start off with the Icelandic government's National Day ceremony at Austurvollur, followed by a parade and family entertainment at the statue Arnaharholl. The Icelandic Volcano Circus and various other quirky shows perform around town.

Of course the day wouldn't be complete without the infamous Fjallkonan, the woman of the mountain, who wears the national costume and recites a poem to the crowd. She represents the spirit and nature of Iceland and is a symbol of Iceland's fight for independence. After the formal celebrations are over, more informal parties are thrown in almost every town and village across the country.