From 26–31 August, the Reykjavík Jazz Festival takes place for the 35th time. It is one of Iceland’s oldest music festivals and a true "mardi gras" of the Icelandic jazz scene.

This year’s programme features around 30 concerts and events with over 100 performers. At the forefront is the Icelandic jazz all-star lineup: ADHD, Sunna Gunnlaugs Trio, Óskar Guðjónsson & Magnús Jóhann, Los Bomboneros, Rebekka Blöndal, Róberta Andersen, and many more.

The international programme is equally strong, with standout guests such as Australian trio Brekky Boy, Polish quartet O.N.E., and not least Cécile McLorin Salvant, three-time Grammy Award winner and one of the world’s most celebrated jazz vocalists. She will close the festival with a concert in Eldborg, Harpa on Sunday 31 August at 20:00.

Nordic collaboration also features prominently, including concerts by Norwegian trumpeter Arve Henriksen with Hilmar Jensson and Skúli Sverrisson; the Bliss Quintet, led by Benjamín Gísli; and Sigurður Flosason performing with Swedish pianist Mattias Nilsson.

Krakkajazz, Litlasveit & Stórsveit SVoM

One of this year’s highlights is a special family concert at Iðnó, organised in collaboration with Barnadjass in Mosfellsbær and the School Band of Vesturbær and Miðbær (SVoM), with support from the Icelandic Children’s Culture Fund.

The event is free of charge and will take place Sunday 31st of August at 4PM.

Taking the stage first are the Djasskrakkar – a group of children aged 10–15 who play jazz entirely by ear, with infectious joy and creativity.

Also performing are Litlasveit and the SVoM Big Band, both offspring of SVoM under the direction of Ingi Garðar Erlendsson.

Litlasveit, formally founded earlier this year, consists of six members who enjoy composing and performing their own music, drawing inspiration from diverse genres.

The SVoM Big Band brings together 25 young musicians aged 14–16, who have already performed at the annual big band marathon hosted by the Reykjavík Big Band. At the festival, they will perform under the direction of Samúel Jón Samúelsson.

A celebration of Icelandic jazz

There is remarkable momentum in the Icelandic jazz scene these days. Week after week, the country’s leading performers appear on stages across the country, while many are also travelling the world to play for audiences and jazz lovers abroad. Reykjavik Jazz reflects this energy and offers audiences a unique opportunity to experience the very best and freshest the scene has to offer.

Full programme available here

Full programme available at www.reykjavikjazz.is/dagskra-2025.Tickets available at tix.is and harpa.is.