Iceland certainly has its curious sides. While we look forward to the awakening of spring after Easter, Iceland skips this season altogether. Every year, on the first Thursday after April 18, “Sumardagurinn fyrsti” - the first day of summer - takes place. Curiously enough, Icelanders even consider this an official holiday. Accordingly, this year the celebration falls on April 23, 2026. From now on, the heavy winter clothes are put away and (especially among younger Icelanders) the summer outfits are taken out of the closet - regardless of what the weather is actually like. Daytime temperatures in April often hover in the single digits. An old Icelandic folk belief holds that there will be a good summer if temperatures drop below freezing on the night before the first day of summer, causing winter and summer to “freeze together.”

Why is the start of summer a national holiday in Iceland?

This is primarily due to historical reasons, as the Old Nordic calendar recognized only winter and summer as seasons. Autumn and spring did not exist. Furthermore, it marked the point at which the harsh and difficult winter months in Iceland were finally behind them. So people celebrated together, took a break from work, and brought the livestock back out to pasture. Even a person’s age was calculated by counting how many winters they had survived. So it’s no surprise that people also exchanged gifts.

How is this day celebrated today?

If you happen to be in Iceland for the “Sumardagurinn fyrsti” holiday, you should expect many stores to be closed. Still, it’s worth spending the day in larger towns. In Reykjavik and other cities, there are parades, festivals, and markets. Families and friends enjoy getting together for outdoor activities, or people kick off the year’s barbecue season right away. Incidentally, there is no comparable holiday marking the beginning of winter in Iceland.

With that in mind: Gleðilegt sumar! We wish all Icelanders all the best for Sumardagurinn fyrsti, the first day of summer!