National Costume Festival - Saturday

On 5–6 September, the National Museum of Iceland will host a true celebration of the Icelandic national costume.

Each autumn, the museum honours the Icelandic national costume with a festival held around the anniversary of the death of Sigurður Guðmundsson the Painter. Sigurður was the first curator of the National Museum of Iceland, then known as the Museum of Antiquities, and played a pivotal role in developing and reviving the Icelandic national costume during the 19th century.

To mark the occasion, Icelanders and other visitors are encouraged to come to the museum wearing either the Icelandic national costume or the traditional costume of their own country. Visitors who arrive in national dress will receive free admission to the museum's exhibitions and the day's events.

Programme – Saturday, 5 September

14:00–15:00 – Traditional craftspeople from the Icelandic Handicraft Association (Heimilisiðnaðarfélag Íslands) and live music throughout the museum galleries

15:00–16:00 – Icelandic folk dancing in the museum foyer

16:00 – Procession to Hólavallakirkjugarður Cemetery to lay a wreath at the grave of Sigurður Guðmundsson the Painter

There is something for everyone at the National Museum of Iceland. In addition to the museum's permanent exhibition and temporary exhibitions, the children's and family space on the first floor is open to all visitors. You can also relax in the museum café with refreshments and light meals, or browse the museum shop, which offers a carefully selected range of distinctive and high-quality products.

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