Reykjavik Art Festival

About

The Reykjavik Art Festival transforms Iceland's charming capital into an interactive cultural playground each spring, offering families a unique opportunity to experience cutting-edge art, live performances, and hands-on creative workshops. This biennial celebration features dedicated family programming that introduces children to Nordic art and culture through engaging, immersive activities they won't find anywhere else. It's a perfect way to combine cultural exploration with Iceland's stunning springtime scenery while giving kids memorable creative experiences.

What to Expect

Families can explore multiple venues across downtown Reykjavik featuring visual art exhibitions, outdoor installations, theater performances, concerts, and interactive workshops designed specifically for children. The festival atmosphere is welcoming and laid-back, with many free outdoor events and installations scattered throughout the city center. Expect a mix of indoor gallery spaces and outdoor public art, with family-friendly programming typically scheduled during daytime hours on weekends. Many events include hands-on art-making activities where kids can create their own masterpieces alongside professional artists, and performances often incorporate movement, music, and visual storytelling that transcends language barriers.

Highlights for Kids

• Hands-on art workshops where kids create their own Nordic-inspired crafts to take home as unique souvenirs
• Interactive outdoor installations in downtown parks and squares that invite climbing, exploring, and playful interaction
• Family-friendly theater and dance performances featuring visual storytelling that doesn't require language understanding
• Free concerts and musical performances in public spaces showcasing Icelandic folk music and contemporary sounds
• Treasure-hunt style exploration of downtown Reykjavik discovering art installations scattered throughout the colorful streets

Pro Tips for Families

1. Download the festival program in advance and book family workshop tickets early, as these popular sessions fill up quickly and many require pre-registration through the festival website which has an English version
2. Purchase a Reykjavik City Card for festival days to get free admission to several participating museums and free public transportation, plus many festival events are completely free in public spaces
3. Pack layers and waterproof jackets even in May—Icelandic weather changes rapidly and many outdoor installations require comfortable walking between venues across downtown
4. Visit the main festival hub at Reykjavik Art Museum first to pick up a family-friendly festival map and get recommendations from staff on which events are best for your children's ages and interests

Best Time to Visit

Weekend mornings (10am-1pm) offer the best family programming with scheduled workshops and performances specifically designed for children. Mid-festival weekends typically have the most concentrated family activities, while weekdays tend to feature more adult-oriented evening programming. Arrive early on Saturday mornings to enjoy workshops before crowds build, and plan outdoor installations for mid-afternoon when weather is typically most stable (though always unpredictable in Iceland).

Food & Drinks

Most festival venues don't have on-site food, but downtown Reykjavik offers abundant cafes, bakeries, and restaurants within walking distance of all venues. Budget-friendly options include the famous Bæjarins Beztu hot dog stand, bakeries like Brauð & Co for pastries, and Icelandic Fish & Chips for family meals. Many cafes offer kid-friendly options like soup, sandwiches, and traditional Icelandic treats such as kleinur (twisted doughnuts). Bring snacks and water bottles as convenience stores are expensive—stock up at Bónus supermarket before festival days. Several museums participating in the festival have small cafes with reasonably priced options and high chairs available.

Parking & Access

Downtown Reykjavik is compact and very walkable, with most festival venues within a 15-20 minute stroll of each other. Street parking is available but limited and requires payment via app or meters (bring credit card). Consider parking at Kolaportið Flea Market lot or the Harpa Concert Hall parking garage, then walking to venues. Public buses are reliable and affordable (or free with Reykjavik City Card), with routes covering all festival areas. The city is extremely stroller-friendly with well-maintained sidewalks and most venues offering elevator or ramp access, though some historic buildings may have stairs. Most venues have family restrooms and changing facilities available.