Reykjavik Pride 2027

Reykjavik Pride 2027 attracting more than 100,000 visitors.

Reykjavik Pride, or “Hinsegin dagar” as it is known in Icelandic, is a festival where the whole nation comes together in celebrating the fact that in Iceland you can enjoy the freedom of being and living as you are.

• Laugavegur is the long main shopping street at the heart of gay Reykjavik. Here you will find the small but interesting gay scene at the corner of Klapparstigur. Stay at the Hotel Borg an elegant Art Deco-style Hotel Borg overlooking the historic Austurvollur Square in central Reykjavik. Laugavegur shopping street is  200m away.

The Event

• Next Edition: Awaiting dates, typically the second week of August.
• Reykjavik Pride is a unique pride celebration that needs to be experienced together with the best of what the island of Iceland has to offer.
• The city is one of the friendliest in Europe with a lively gay scene, friendly locals, sexy hot springs and a unique pride celebration that turns the entire city into Rainbowland for 6 days straight!
• The compact centre makes Reykjavík Pride easy to explore on foot. Most events, bars and parade activities sit inside postcode 101, centred on Skólavörðustígur, Laugavegur and the streets around Austurvöllur.
• Discover the top gay places to party, stay and play with our Gay Reykjavik Guide.

Opening Ceremony

• Awaiting dates – 8 pm – The Opening Ceremony is one of the biggest nights during Reykjavik Pride. The event consists of opening speeches, music, performances and more.
• The event takes place inside Sjálfstæðissalurinn at the Parliament Hotel, beside Austurvöllur.

Reykjavik Pride Parade

• The final Saturday of the celebrations – The pride parade is the main event of the festival and it’s getting bigger and more elaborate each year. The Parade takes place on the final Saturday of the event at 2pm from Hallgrímskirkja.
• Participants gather around Skólavörðuholt and the streets below Hallgrímskirkja before the parade moves down through the city centre.
• The Route is as follows: Hallgrímskirkja → Skólavörðustígur → Lækjargata → Fríkirkjuvegur → Sóleyjargata → Hljómskálagarður.
• The parade finishes beside Hljómskálagarður, the park on the southern side of Tjörnin lake.
• Stay close to the pride parade and enjoy the suite-life at the Tower Suites Reykjavik, rated “Fabulous” by guests, featuring spacious rooms and suites offering stunning city views.

Reykjavik Pride After Party

• Once the parade reaches Hljómskálagarður, the park hosts an outdoor celebration with local performers, music, drag and community appearances.
• The park sits beside Tjörnin lake, around ten minutes on foot from Austurvöllur and the central nightlife streets.
• Visitors planning to continue to Kiki or 22 Bar can walk back through the centre after the concert.
• Enjoy your very own “Superb” rated apartment right by the pride festival at the Residence Aparthotel, featuring stylish apartments with an excellent location.

Parade-Day Tips

• Reykjavík weather can change within minutes. Carry a light waterproof jacket rather than relying on an umbrella in strong wind.
• Wear comfortable shoes. The route descends from Hallgrímskirkja but includes cobbled and uneven streets.
• Buy drinks and snacks before taking your position. Queues grow quickly around Skólavörðustígur and Laugavegur.
• Hallgrímskirkja and the upper rainbow street suit photography; Lækjargata and Fríkirkjuvegur provide easier exits.
• Kiki and 22 Bar will be busy from soon after the parade. Expect queues later in the evening.
• Reykjavík’s bars can trade until around 4.30 am on Friday and Saturday, but nightlife starts later than in many European cities.
• Pre-book ticketed parties. Reykjavík venues are compact and can reach capacity quickly.

Official Reykjavík Pride Closing Party

• Awaiting dates – The official closing party takes place at Iðnó  from 10 pm.
• Iðnó is a historic lakeside theatre and event venue at Vonarstræti 3, close to Reykjavík City Hall and Austurvöllur.
• The location creates an easy link between the parade park, evening drinks and the late-night party.

Bear Pride Party

• Awaiting dates – The Icelandic Bear Association hosts its post-parade party.
• DJ MBK provides the music, with one drink included in the ticket price.
• The terrace overlooks Harpa, the harbour and central Reykjavík, and capacity is limited.
• Venues are typically central hotels, rooftops etc.

The Eclipse Mini Ball & Party

• Awaiting dates – The Legendary Kiki House of Angels and Hinsegin Heift present a ballroom mini-ball followed by an afterparty.
• The programme includes open competition categories, performances and a late-night party.

LOKI Pride Party

• Awaiting dates – Kiki Queer Bar –  LOKI, Reykjavík’s queer men’s social organisation, hosts a Pride gathering at Kiki with a pub quiz and party.
• It works well as an early Pride-week introduction to Reykjavík’s local gay community.

Popular Gay Bars in Reykjavik

• Kiki Queer Bar – Reykjavík’s only dedicated LGBTQ+ nightclub, spread across two floors above Laugavegur with drag shows, karaoke, Eurovision anthems and late-night DJs drawing locals and visitors into the early hours.
  District: Laugavegur, Reykjavík 101 – the heart of the city’s gay nightlife and just steps from the Pride parade route.
• 22 Bar – A stylish neighbourhood bar beneath Kiki, combining craft cocktails, Icelandic beers and an easy-going café atmosphere by day before becoming the city’s favourite LGBTQ+ meeting point ahead of the clubs.
  District: Laugavegur, Reykjavík 101 – directly below Kiki on the city’s main shopping street.
• Gaukurinn – Reykjavík’s alternative queer venue, mixing live bands, drag, comedy, karaoke and inclusive club nights inside a characterful former music hall close to the Old Harbour.
  District: Tryggvagata, Reykjavík 101 – around a 10-minute walk from Kiki and the centre of Pride celebrations.

Gay Reykjavik and where to stay?

These districts offer something unique, depending on what you are seeking, from boutique to bohemian:

Miðborg and Laugavegur

• The centre of Pride nightlife, shopping and dining. Stay around lower Laugavegur, Klapparstígur or Skólavörðustígur for quick access to Kiki, 22 Bar and the parade.

Skólavörðustígur

• The rainbow-painted street linking Hallgrímskirkja with central Reykjavík. This is the most photogenic place to stay during Pride, with cafés, restaurants and independent shops outside the door.
• Stay in the heart of the district at the Skólavörðustígur Apartments, rated Excellent by guests with a great location and a wide range of amenities, perfect for a 6 day stay.

Austurvöllur and the Old Centre

• A polished historic district near Parliament, Hotel Borg, Iðnó and Reykjavík City Hall. It suits visitors seeking central accommodation without sleeping directly beside the busiest late-night bars.

The following hotels are all close to the city’s top attractions and pride celebrations:

Alda Hotel,   Room With A View,   Hotel Frón,    CenterSpot Apartments