Independence Day on 17 June is the largest festival. On this day, parades, street music and dancing and other cultural events fill the environment. Sjómannadagurinn, held in the first week of June, is dedicated to seafarers and has participants competing in swimming contests, tugs-of-war and sea rescues. Midsummer, also held in June, is based on the belief that rolling in Midsummer Night’s dew cures health problems, while Sumardagurinn Fyrsti is a celebration of the arrival of summer. Local festivals include Pjóðhátíð and Verslunarmannahelgi, both celebrated in August.

Besides festivals, Iceland hosts a number of events to entertain the locals as well as the tourists. During the tourist season, the National Theatre and the Reykjavík City Theatre along with the Iceland Symphony Orchestra have outstanding shows.