Skálholt festival
The Skálholt Festival is celebrated annually, but the festival was first held in 1954. The festival is always held on the weekend closest to Þorláksmessa in the summer, which is July 20. Then you are invited to a party in Skálholt Church with religious ceremonies, traditional songs, concerts and information. Pilgrims go to the festival mass from Þingvellir and Reynivellir.
The program is high-quality and cultural, but it is led by the Consecration Bishop in Skálholt.
Skálholt festival will be held on the weekend of July 18 - 20, 2025
Skálholt festival program
Each year there is a new program with a different theme. The program will appear here when it is ready for 2025.
The history of the Skálholt Festival
Skálholt festival is traditionally held next to Þorláksmessa in the summer, on July 20. In centuries past, it was a great holiday ever since Þorlákur Þórhallsson was declared a holy man in Alþingi on that day in 1198. Then there were often large crowds at the place. The festival stopped for a few years. With the establishment of the Skálholtsfélagin in 1948, the festival was restored and first held in the old parish church in 1949.
Skálholt festival 1956
The first Skálholt Festival, which was held in Skálholt in July 1956, the 1000 year history of the establishment of the bishopric in Skálholt was celebrated. Around 7000 - 8000 people attended, including church leaders from around the world as well as Icelanders. There were tents all over the place, there were sales tents were people could buy meals. Plays that told the history of Skálholt were performed on the 900th anniversary of the bishop's chair. Church choirs from all over the country are gathered on the platform, and it was estimated that the choir consisted of around 350 people, but Páll Ísólfsson, the cathedral organist, conducted the choir.
The cornerstone of a new church in Skálholt was laid, and it can surely be said that there the respect of Skálholtstaðar began again.
Pilgrim walks
Pilgrimage processions in Skálholt during the Skálholt festival in 2025
As usual, there will be a pilgrimage from Þingvellir to the festival. There will be more information here regarding the pilgrimage for 2025.
More information about the 2024 pilgrimage
