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The summer is here

Late april in Iceland may still feel cold and chilly, but Icelanders remain ever optimistic about the summer ahead.
24.04.2026

Yesterday was Sumardagurinn fyrsti, or the First Day of Summer in Iceland.

It is a public holiday in Iceland, celebrated each year on the first Thursday after April 18. The day marks the beginning of Harpa, the first of six summer months in the traditional Icelandic calendar.

In Iceland, the tradition of giving summer gifts on this day dates back to the 16th century—long before Christmas gift-giving became common in the late 19th century. According to Icelandic folklore, if summer and winter “freeze together,” it is seen as a sign of a good summer ahead. This is said to occur when temperatures drop below freezing on the night before the First Day of Summer.