Iceland's Secret Solstice Festival

In the midst of the action

This popular festival only began in 2014, but has already racked up its fair share of accolades, not to mention some serious buzz.

And with good reason – it attracts household Icelandic names and smash bands from around the world, as well as up-and-comers. Among over a hundred acts that take the stages each year, the festival has already brought in big names like Radiohead, Of Monsters and Men and Wu Tang Clan.

To make matters even more tantalising, the Secret Solstice Festival is held in Reykjavik at Laugardalur Park, which means you don’t have to camp unless you want to. You’ll have all the bars, hotels and restaurants of Iceland’s capital right at your fingertips.

The venue

Laugardalur Park isn’t your average festival space – it’s also known as the Reykjavik Botanical Garden, equipped with tranquil brooks, flowers and groves of trees. It’s where locals come on the weekends for picnics and refreshing walks, but come summertime, it’s transformed into a hedonistic paradise where the parties are long and the days are longer.

There are six festival stages, each named after images from Norse mythology, including an indoor dance spot. On top of this, you’ll find food stands and places to grab a drink, a large campsite and even a tall, beer-shaped hot tub, the top of which offers panoramic views of the grounds.

And that’s not all. The party extends well beyond Laugardalur Park to include some of Iceland’s top natural draws. We’re talking Langjokull Glacier and a naturally-heated lagoon. This sun-drenched festival will push you to your partying limits.

The details

The Secret Solstice Festival takes place every summer, typically in June, and runs for three days over a weekend. In past years, more than 150 acts have taken the stages here, but as the festival grows, its repertoire is bound to follow suit. And it’s not just one genre of music – the six different stages ensure a vast range of beats for shifting musical moods and preferences. You can expect everything from indie and folk to techno, hip-hop and house.

The line-up for each year’s festival won’t be posted until closer to the festival date, but cheaper early bird tickets are generally available well in advance. You can also register your email on the festival’s website for updates on who’s joined the line-up and how to purchase tickets.

Reykjavik

Reykjavik might seem small in comparison to other country’s capitals, but it’s actually the largest city in all of Iceland and home to a third of the country’s population. It’s also a hub for all things holiday, acting as the base for a massive range of activities such as museums, natural hot springs and wildlife tours through Iceland’s vast – and incredibly varied – landscape.

All this is rounded out by a selection of restaurants and hotels to make sure you’re well taken care of when visiting the Secret Solstice Festival. Things might get a little hectic when you’ve been basking under the Icelandic sun for hours on end, but you can rest assured that a nice warm bed can be waiting for you, should you prefer it over a sleeping bag.

All this is rounded out by a selection of restaurants and hotels to make sure you’re well taken care of when visiting the Secret Solstice Festival. Things might get a little hectic when you’ve been basking under the Icelandic sun for hours on end, but you can rest assured that a nice warm bed can be waiting for you, should you prefer it over a sleeping bag.