Visit Iceland for Verslunarmannahelgi

Verslunarmannahelgi is the merchants or commence day held annually over the first weekend of August. In 2024 the long weekend takes place on 2nd – 5th August. It is a traditionally a time of camping out, music festivals, parties, family get togethers and many outdoor activities, and of course having fun!

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Verslunarmannahelgin /Merchant weekend

There are many well-known events held on this special weekend, including:

Here we are going to focus on the main one:


The Verslunarmannahelgin /Merchant weekend. People from other countries ask what is Þjóðhátíð í Vestmannaeyjum? Þjóðhátíð í Vestmannaeyjum is an annual, national festival that is probably the biggest and certainly one of the biggest Verslunarmannahelgi events in Iceland.

The biggest Þjóðhátíð (national festival) event is held in the Westman Islands on a beautiful, picturesque island with a population of approximately 4,200 people. The festival is well known for its live music, massive bonfire, magnificent fireworks and last night singalong.

Þjóðhátíð í Vestmannaeyjum begun in 1874 when the islanders where unable to get to the mainland due to bad weather for the celebrations, so they had their own! The festival has been held annually since 1901 apart from in 1914 and 1915 during WW1. Icewear is the main sponsor of Þjóðhátíð in 2024 and 2025.

Icewear Þjóðhátíð 2024 collection

As a celebration of being the main sponsor, Icewear have been busy creating a special 2024 collection for Þjóðhátíð. It’s a fantastic collection for adults and children including hoodies, beanie hats, rain trousers and capes, trousers, bucket hats, accessories and many items are duplicated for the kids range too. You can buy from the collection online, at the Islands shop, because Icewear has a shop at Vestmannaeyjar and they will have a sales tent at the festival, so it’s possible to buy collection items at the festival.

Event Schedule for 2024 Þjóðhátíð í Vestmannaeyjum/ The National Festival in Westman island

The festival has a packed event schedule of music and activities. The three biggest events are a big bonfire on Friday, A fantastic firework display on Saturday and the festival’s signature Sunday night sing along that is known as brekkusöngur. The best Icelandic music artists play at the festival.

The bonfire is huge, comprising of approximately three thousand pallets and can be up to 10 metres high. The fire is traditionally started by hand by the appointed fire king. The Saturday night fireworks light up the sky with an impressive display. Every year an Icelandic folk song is written especially for the festival that is released before the event so that people can learn the song and sing along with the singer and an acoustic guitar.

It’s a fun, family friendly festival, made extra special because the festival location is on the island and takes place in a natural amphitheatre. As well as the main events other activities include sports events, classic cars and vehicles.

Camping for the festival

Camping at the festival is included in the ticket price and is open as required. The festival runs from Thursday to Sunday, but many people aim to arrive early and set up their camp areas. Additional camping is available at the nearby golf course from 18.00 on Thursday until Monday. There is also a campsite at Þórsheimili that is a dedicated family area with toilets and showers, laundry facilities and electric hook ups.

A great aspect for overseas visitors is that it is also possible to rent a tent for the festival. The rent a tent system is a fantastic service, the tent is set up and ready for you on arrival at the end of the festival you just walk away. At Þjóðhátíð they’re located in a special secure area in Herjólfsdal and there is even free phone charging there. Rentatent also hire out all the camping equipment that you are likely to need.

Camping in Iceland

Going camping during the summertime in Iceland is a popular pastime with many people taking the opportunity to get out into nature. Indeed, it’s a big part of the Icelandic culture, people travel around the country camping out in different beautiful locations. Those who use a tent may camp in the wilderness on uncultivated land for one night at each location on the proviso that there is not a nearby campsite and that the landowner has not restricted access at all.

Because camping is part of the culture there are plenty of camping options all around Iceland. You can hire a motorhome, caravan or tent and equipment and gain expert advice should you want to tour Iceland staying on campsites. Camping is a great way to experience Iceland in the summer as Icelanders do.

Icelanders may be a hardy bunch, but they are always prepared for any weather eventualities. When camping they go prepared for any weather conditions and they never let the weather prevent them from enjoying camping. Take a tip from Icelanders and ensure that you are prepared with the best clothes for camping.

What people wear when camping in Iceland

Icelandic people are experts at layering and that is why Icewear are so good at providing clothing for layering and for every weather eventuality. A good starting point of what to wear is to browse the Icewear website. You can either buy clothing in advance for your camping or festival trip or why not visit one of the shops when you first arrive in Iceland to buy what you need.


The Icewear Þjóðhátíð 2024 collection is a good starting point for choosing ideal camping clothing. You will also want to ensure that you have at least one traditional wool jumper. A wool jumper is essential to embrace the Icelandic camping culture to fit in like a local. Wearing woollen clothing for camping is also highly practical and perfect to wear when sitting around the bonfire in the evenings. Wool is breathable, antibacterial, needs less frequent washing, wicks away moisture and a traditional Scandinavian or Icelandic jumper will ensure that you fit right in.


Recommended for summer camping:

Planning Your Verslunarmannahelgin /Merchant weekend trip to Iceland

Icelanders plan and book well ahead for this holiday, so should you wish to visit any of the festivities for the Verslunarmannahelgi weekend it is advisable to plan and book well in advance. There are several booking options for camping, you can go through a travel agent and have your itinerary mapped out for you or arrange your motorhome, vehicle, tent and camping equipment independently and create your own route.

Booking into the Þjóðhátíð í Vestmannaeyjum festival is highly recommended or check the other festivals and celebrations for Verslunarmannahelgin /Merchant weekend for a festival camping trip to Iceland. That way you will discover which festivals and camping are available. Of course, summer camping isn’t just over the Verslunarmannahelgin /Merchant weekend, so there are plenty of options to enjoy a summer camping trip to Iceland.

Vestmannaeyjar Westman Islands

The Westman Islands, Iceland should be on everyone’s bucket list! While Iceland is unique, the Westman Isles are a unique part of Iceland. Home to the Þjóðhátíð í Vestmannaeyjum festival the islands are also where you will see the famous ‘Elephant Rock’, visit an old wooden Viking church, the largest colony of puffins, and see famous Icelandic sheep and horses. There is plenty of nature on the islands whether its flora and fauna, wild animals and birds or experiencing a lava walk, the Westman Islands have it all in abundance.

Westman Islands-puffins

There are many things to recommend the islands, but a popular attraction is that they are home to the biggest nesting colony of puffins in the world. The Westman islands-puffins are quite famous. You don’t need to be a serious bird watcher to enjoy watching these cute, comical birds go about their daily lives! As well as seeing them from the Storhofdi puffin viewpoint shelter, there are water based tours to view them from the sea. Of course, if you are a serious twitcher, you will already know that the Westman islands are a perfect place to spot and observe seabirds.

Even if birdwatching is not your thing, being islands there always plenty of opportunities for getting on the water too. You can choose many options arriving by ferry or charter; you can further choose to explore from the water with one of the many sailing options. There are a variety of sporting options too, such as hiking, volcano ATV tours, cycling, and golf. When there a visit to the Vestmannaeyjar it is highly recommended to stop by the Icewear store, the Icewear team will give you a warm welcome.

The Westman islands are an archipelago comprising of a main island and several smaller outcrops and feature two volcanos that are situated off the south coast of Iceland. You can visit the Westman islands in a day trip from Reykjavík, but you are recommended to stay longer to really benefit from your visit.

Sources

https://www.inspiredbyiceland.com/events/verslunarmannahelgi-2024
https://www.inspiredbyiceland.com/events/verslunarmannahelgi-2024
https://www.dalurinn.is/tjaldsvaedi
https://www.gocampers.is/iceland-destinations/the-top-10-music-festivals-iniceland#:~:text=Every%20November%20Reykjavik%20transforms%20into,festival%20on%
20the%20Icelandic%20calendar.
https://www.visiticeland.com/article/camping-in-iceland
https://visitwestmanislands.com/about-westman-islands/
https://visitwestmanislands.com/tours/most-popular/
https://rentatent.is/
https://visitwestmanislands.com/bird-watching-vestmannaeyjar-iceland/

Posted in July 2024

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