What's happening in July ?

July is here! It is officially summer in the Westfjords. (Although, according to the Icelandic calendar, the first day of summer is officially April 25th.) This month is packed with exciting events, including art exhibitions, concerts, markets, festivals, and even a bike race. Let’s dive into some of the highlights below.

05.07.2024

Westfjords Way Summer Market

Visit the Westfjords Way Summer Markets, vibrant pop-up markets celebrating the best of local craftsmanship and produce. Taking place in four locations—Búðardalur, Ísafjörður, Hólmavík, and Patreksfjörður—this is your chance to experience the heart and soul of the Westfjords.

🗓️ Dates & Locations:

Búðardalur: July 6th
Hólmavík: July 14th
Patreksfjörður: July 15th
Ísafjörður: July 26th

Bolungarvík Summer Market, 4.-7^th of July

Enjoy the town market, featuring a delightful array of homemade goodies. Horse back riding and balloons for the kids, live music and a great atmosphere

Nature Festival in Strandir, 12^th-14^th of July

Náttúrubarnahátíð (Nature Festival) is held at the Sheep Farming Museum in Strandir. It gives you the opportunity to find and nurture the natural child in you, with a fun program full of all kinds of knowledge and fun! There are camping sites nearby. It is a family festival and with free admission.

The festival features a variety of activities such as family walks along the shore, a magnificent puppet theater performance, nature yoga, a magic show, and interactive nature fun including archery, horse rides, and blacksmith workshops. Visitors can also enjoy bird watching, mindfulness adventures, science shows, wild herb workshops, and a family concert. Delicious soups and grilled sausages (vegetarian and non-vegetarian) will be available for purchase, adding to the festive atmosphere.

Join us for a weekend filled with nature, creativity, and fun for the whole family!

The Pier festival in Drangsnes. July 20^th

The Pier Festival in Drangsnes will be held for the twentieth time this summer The festival program will follow traditional patterns which includes markets, music and all kinds of fun, but new events will also make their debut.

Samúel Jónsson Museum Art Festival July 19^th -21^st

Samúel Jónsson´s Art Festival will be held at Brautarholt in Selárdalur, organized by the Association of Samúel Jónsson´s Art Museum, on the weekend of 19-21. July n.k.
Many artists will participate this time. Krummi Björgvins, Skúli mennski and other musicians will perform in the church. Einar Már Guðmundsson will tell stories and Guðni Rúnar Agnarsson will have a ceremony in the church and Kraftgalli will have a dj-sett. Loji Höskuldsson, Helga Páley Friðþjófsdóttir and Þorvaldur Jónsson will open an exhibition in the art museum. This year marks the 140th anniversary of Samuel's birth, and stories will be read from the book Steyptir draumar (Concrete Dreams), which tells with Samuel's life and art. Kári G. Schram and Ólafur J. Engilbertsson's film with the same name will be screened. A guided tour of Samuel's works, both sculptures and paintings, will be offered, and Gerhard König will tell about the repairs of the works. On Saturday evening, there will be an event with songs on the beach. Guided walks to Verdalir and Vatnahvilft will be offered, and Elfar Logi Hannesson will be a guide to Uppsalir on Friday evening. A kite workshop for families will also be available. Admission is ISK 12,000 and includes soup on Friday night and a delicious dinner on Saturday night.

2024 Arna Westfjords Way Challenge. July 23^rd -28^th

This ultra-endurance stage race is the first of its kind. It’s more than a race to the finish — it’s about a meaningful interaction with people and place. You’ll be pushing your limits, but not without taking in some of the endless opportunities to learn about and interact with Icelandic culture. Between your long days in the saddle, you will visit museums, meet locals who run traditional sheep farms and take part in Icelandic traditions like hot pot soaking and sea swimming.

The full route follows the Westfjords Way – a bikepacking route established with the help of the Westfjords Tourism office and scouting team Chris Burkard, Lael Wilcox, Rue Kaladyte, Payson McElveen, and Nichole Baker. It totals 954 km [593 mi] and each stage ranges from 211 to 255 km [131 to 158 mi].

More info at www.cyclingwestfjords.com/wfwc

The Factory Art Exhibition 2024:

The Factory 2024: Moving Hands, Weaving Futures is in Djúpavík’s old herring factory. This annual exhibition blends site-specific art, installations, and sound, bridging the gap between the historical fishing industry and contemporary art. Artists draw inspiration from Iceland’s nature, focusing on craftsmanship, sustainability, and simplicity. The old factory’s architecture enhances the theme, emphasizing the beauty of handcrafted works and their potential for psychological renewal and healing. Open daily 10:00 - 18:00, the exhibition invites visitors to appreciate the creative journey and reconnect with lost ways of life. Free admission

Experience the essence of Westfjords culture through local markets, exhibitions, music and festivals.

Click Here to see our Event Calendar where you'll find these and many more events for the whole summer!