When people think of Pride festivals, they often imagine massive parades, enormous floats, and huge city-wide blowouts. Reykjavík Pride, or "Hinsegin Dagar" as it’s known in Icelandic, offers something a bit different. It’s smaller, yes. But it’s also intimate, heartfelt, and deeply connected to the local people who have turned this tiny capital into one of the world’s most progressive and inclusive places.
Reykjavík may be small in size but when it comes to LGBTQ+ rights and culture, it punches far above its weight. The city’s Pride celebration reflects that balance beautifully—fierce activism wrapped in warmth, cozy parties set under the never-ending glow of the midnight sun, and a sense of genuine community that welcomes everyone like family.
If you want to experience Reykjavík Pride like a local, you need to lean into its unique vibe, its people, and its stories. This is your guide to doing just that.
The Origins and Spirit of Hinsegin Dagar
Reykjavík Pride has its roots in the late 1990s, born from grassroots efforts by Iceland’s small but mighty LGBTQ+ community. What started as a simple march of a few hundred brave individuals has grown into one of the most cherished events on the Icelandic calendar. The term "Hinsegin" translates loosely to "queer" or "different," and Pride Week, or "Hinsegin Dagar," has evolved to reflect the full spectrum of queer experiences in Iceland.
Even as it has grown, Reykjavík Pride has managed to keep its local experience intact. Unlike the sprawling corporate-sponsored events in some other cities, here you’ll find local businesses, grassroots organizations, and everyday Icelanders contributing with pride. Locals take ownership of Pride Week, attending lectures, art shows, film screenings, and community events in the lead-up to the parade.
It’s this deeply personal, homegrown feel that makes Reykjavík Pride so special. You won’t just be a tourist watching from the sidelines. You’ll be welcomed into the celebration like a local.
The Parade: A Community on the Move
The Reykjavík Pride Parade is the heart of Hinsegin Dagar. Taking place on Laugavegur, the city’s main shopping street, the parade is less about massive floats and more about people power. Families, friends, coworkers, and community groups march together, waving flags and sharing messages of love, equality, and inclusion.
What stands out is the sense of participation. Many locals aren’t just spectators; they’re part of the parade. Children carry handmade signs. Parents push strollers adorned with rainbow flags. Elderly couples walk arm in arm, celebrating their lifelong commitment to equality. Government officials often march too, demonstrating Iceland’s political support for LGBTQ+ rights.
To experience the parade like a local, join the pre-parade breakfast gatherings hosted by cafés and community centers. Chat with the people around you. Icelanders are famously friendly, and many will be eager to share their own Pride stories and recommendations for events you shouldn’t miss.
Geothermal Pool Parties: Icelandic Pride with a Twist
One of the most uniquely Icelandic aspects of Pride Week are the geothermal pool parties. The locals have long embraced their natural hot springs as places not just for relaxation, but for socializing and celebrating.
During Hinsegin Dagar, several of Reykjavík’s public pools, like Laugardalslaug and Vesturbæjarlaug, host special Pride-themed events. Picture floating under the open sky, surrounded by mountains and lava fields, as DJs spin music and drag performers bring fabulous energy to the water. The midnight sun casts its ethereal glow, making for a surreal and unforgettable atmosphere.
To truly experience these pool parties like a local, come early, grab a drink from the small pop-up bars, and be ready to strike up conversations in the warm, steamy pools. Icelanders love their pools and use them as informal gathering spaces, so expect lively conversations, lots of laughter, and spontaneous friendships.
Királynna: A Tiny Bookshop with a Big Heart
Hidden among Reykjavík’s charming streets is Királynna, a queer bookshop and community space that has become a vital hub for LGBTQ+ locals and visitors alike. It’s a tiny place, easy to miss if you aren’t looking for it, but its shelves are packed with queer literature, zines, poetry, and art from both Icelandic and international creators.
Királynna isn't just a bookstore. It’s a safe space where people gather for intimate readings, discussions, and workshops throughout Pride Week. It offers a cozy refuge for meaningful conversations and connections that go beyond the parade and parties.
Spending time here is one of the most authentic local experiences you can have during Reykjavík Pride. Chat with the staff and fellow visitors. Share your own stories and listen to theirs. These small interactions embody the welcoming and open spirit of Iceland’s LGBTQ+ community.
Art, Film, and Activism: Pride Beyond the Parties
Reykjavík Pride is as much about culture and education as it is about celebration. Throughout Hinsegin Dagar, you’ll find a rich lineup of events that explore queer history, rights, and creativity.
The Reykjavík Art Museum, the National Museum of Iceland, and various independent galleries host exhibitions focusing on LGBTQ+ themes. Films from queer Icelandic directors are screened at venues like Bíó Paradís, offering insight into the lived experiences of local people.
Public lectures and panel discussions often feature prominent activists, writers, and scholars who dive into topics like trans rights, intersectionality, and Iceland’s own journey toward equality. These events provide depth and context, helping visitors understand not just what Pride looks like in Iceland, but why it matters so deeply.
To experience this side of Pride like a local, plan ahead and attend a few of these thought-provoking events. They offer a more nuanced understanding of the community and allow for deeper connections than the parties alone.
The Midnight Sun: Nature as Backdrop to Celebration
One of the most magical aspects of Reykjavík Pride is its timing. Held in August, Pride Week unfolds under the lingering glow of Iceland’s midnight sun. Long daylight hours mean that celebrations stretch late into the evening, often with natural light still illuminating the city at midnight.
Locals fully embrace this phenomenon, taking advantage of the extended evenings for picnics in Austurvöllur Square, outdoor concerts, and late-night walks along the harbor. The combination of vibrant Pride energy and the surreal natural light creates an atmosphere that feels almost otherworldly.
To enjoy this like a local, pack a blanket, some snacks, and join groups of friends lounging outside as music drifts through the air. There’s an unspoken understanding that in summer, you rest when you’re tired, not when it’s dark.
Local Food and Drink: Fueling the Celebration
Pride in Reykjavík is as much about community gatherings as it is about great food and drink. Start your mornings like a local with pastries and strong coffee from Sandholt Bakery on Laugavegur. For lunch, enjoy fresh seafood or vegetarian dishes at Snaps Bistro, where many locals fuel up before heading to Pride events.
In the evenings, Reykjavík’s bars and pubs come alive. Head to Kiki Queer Bar, the city’s most famous LGBTQ+ venue, for dancing, drag shows, and a welcoming atmosphere that feels like a massive house party with friends old and new.
But don’t overlook the smaller spots. Kaldi Bar, Skúli Craft Bar, and tiny cafes like Mokka Kaffi offer quieter spaces to sip, chat, and unwind with locals between Pride festivities.
Living Like a Local: Reykjavík Pride Beyond the Events
Part of what makes Reykjavík so special is how deeply integrated LGBTQ+ acceptance is into everyday life. Same-sex marriage has been legal since 2010, and public figures like Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir, the world’s first openly gay head of government, have helped normalize queer identities in public life.
Outside of official events, you’ll find that many locals approach Pride with a sense of calm pride—it’s not just a festival, it’s a reflection of who they are as a society. As a visitor, embracing this slower, more personal pace will allow you to experience Reykjavík like a local.
Stroll along the Old Harbour, chat with artisans at the weekend flea market in Kolaportið, or take a short hike up to Perlan for panoramic city views. Wherever you go, you’ll find people open to conversation, eager to share their city and their stories.
A Community That Welcomes All
Reykjavík Pride isn’t about spectacle. It’s about inclusion. It’s about local people standing together, year after year, to affirm that love is love, and everyone deserves to be seen, heard, and celebrated.
If you’re looking for a Pride experience that offers more than just a party—one that invites you into real conversations, quiet moments of beauty, and deeply meaningful connections—then Reykjavík Pride is where you want to be.
Planning Your Reykjavík Pride Experience
- Best Time to Visit: Pride Week usually takes place in early August, but Reykjavík’s queer culture is thriving year-round.
- Where to Stay: Choose a cozy guesthouse or LGBTQ+-friendly hotel in the city center for easy access to events.
- What to Pack: Layers for Iceland’s unpredictable weather, swimwear for geothermal pools, and plenty of energy for long daylight hours.
- Tours to Take: Book a walking tour with a Lokafy local guide to explore Reykjavík’s queer history and hidden gems.
Experience Reykjavík Like a Local with Lokafy
At Lokafy, we believe that travel is about people, not just places. A local guide can take you far beyond the parade routes and well-known landmarks, introducing you to the small bookstores, hidden cafes, and personal stories that define Reykjavík Pride.
Whether you're dancing under the midnight sun, floating in geothermal pools, or discovering queer history at Királynna, you'll experience Reykjavík through the eyes of someone who calls it home. Join us, and discover what makes Reykjavík Pride one of the most intimate, powerful, and unforgettable Pride celebrations in the world.
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