Taste of Iceland

Taste of Iceland returns to Seattle Thursday, October 3 to Saturday, October 5. The cultural festival celebrates the land of fire and ice with events across the city showcasing the best of Icelandic culture, food and beverage, music, literature, art and design, nature, wellness, and more. Most events are free and open to the public, including a conversation with two of Iceland’s biggest crime fiction authors, a presentation on the northern lights from an Icelandic astronomer, and a comedy show with a Netflix-featured Icelandic comedian. Those interested in Icelandic cuisine can participate in an interactive Icelandic cooking class or purchase tickets to a dinner prepared by chefs from the Icelandic Culinary Team.

Event tickets are required, and guests are encouraged to arrive promptly to guarantee entry. Tickets are available on the Taste of Iceland website. Reservations for the prix-fixe Icelandic dinner can also be booked through the Taste of Iceland website.

Taste of Iceland events include:
Icelandic Menu at Palace Kitchen: Chef Ísak Aron Jóhannsson, captain of Iceland’s National Culinary team, in collaboration with Chef Ron Anderson, Executive Chef at Palace Kitchen, will prepare a pop-up menu inspired by Icelandic flavors and ingredients, including Icelandic seafood, lamb, and skyr. October 3-5 from 5:00-10:00 PM at Palace Kitchen. Reservations for the prix fixe menu are available through the Taste of Iceland website.

Hæ/Hi: Vol III | Welcome: The third and latest edition of the HÆ/HI design exhibition, titled Welcome, is coming to Seattle. This collaborative project featuring Icelandic and Seattle-based design studios is all about designing the friendship between Seattle and Iceland’s capital, Reykjavik, which have been sister cities since 1986. The exhibit will address the acts that take place and the objects associated with arriving and departing, greetings and goodbyes, and will feature work from artists including Amanda Ringstad, Thorunn Arnadottir, Weird Pickle, and more. The Mayor of Reykjavík, Einar Þorsteinsson, will open the exhibition October 3 at 4:00 PM at Railspur Gallery.

Reykjavik Presents: Iceland Airwaves Off-Venue: Three of Iceland’s most exciting up-and-coming musicians will come to Seattle for a free concert presented by The City of Reykjavík, in collaboration with Iceland Airwaves, Iceland Music, and Seattle’s KEXP. The concert will feature the exciting electronic indie music of Lúpína, who released her dreamy Icelandic synth-pop single alein in autumn 2022, and the soaring vocals and ambient vibes of Sunna Margrét, whose music explores the boundaries of pop music and seamlessly blends different genres. DJ Hermigervill, a longtime heavyweight of the Icelandic music scene, will close the evening with one of his iconic DJ sets. Doors open October 3 at 7:00 PM at The KEXP Gathering Space.

How Words Shape a City: Reykjavik and Seattle are vibrant sister cities celebrated for their unique cultures, stunning coastal landscapes, and rich literary histories. Join Einar Þorsteinsson, Mayor of Reykjavik and former journalist, best-selling Icelandic authors Ragnar Jónasson and Yrsa Sigurðardóttir, Seattle Civic Poet Shin Yu Pai, Seattle poet Melanie Noel, and Stesha Brandon, UNESCO Focal Point and Program Manager at Seattle City of Literature, for a discussion about the sister city connection. October 4 from 1:00-3:00 PM at the National Nordic Museum.

Demo & Dine: A Taste of Iceland’s Gastronomic Bounty: Embark on a gastronomic journey to the land of fire and ice with a cooking class led by Icelandic Chefs Haflidi Halldorsson and Ísak Aron Jóhannsson. Guests will learn how to prepare and present dishes from the Taste of Iceland menu, including an Icelandic cod starter, an Icelandic lamb main course, and a dessert made with Icelandic Provisions Skyr. The group will then sit down and enjoy the fruits of their labor with the chefs. October 4 from 2:00-4:00 PM at Hot Stove Society.

Icelandic Cocktail Class with Reyka Vodka: Join a free cocktail class with Reyka Vodka. Brand Ambassador and mixologist Jeff Naples will shake up some tasty Iceland-inspired cocktails and teach attendees how to make these drinks at home. DJ Hermigervill will welcome guests with tunes curated by experts at Iceland Music. Guests will also be invited to participate in a VR experience to explore tour offerings from Icelandia, such as their Glacier Hike, Northern Lights, and ATV tours. All attendees must be at least 21 years old and present a valid ID. October 4 from 5:00-7:00 PM at Life on Mars.

Icelandic HiFi: DJ Hermigervill at Shibuya HiFi: Step into The Dark Ages of Icelandic Music with DJ Hermigervill as he delves into Iceland’s lesser-known musical history, long before the global fame of Björk. Known for his deep love of Icelandic soundscapes and innovative remixes, Hermigervill will transport you back in time, offering a fresh perspective on the country’s musical heritage. This high-fidelity listening experience at Shibuya Hi-Fi will immerse you in pristine sound while you enjoy craft cocktails in an intimate, audiophile setting. October 4 from 8:30-10:30 PM at Shibuya Records.

Elemental Sound Bath with Blue Lagoon Iceland and Icelandic Provisions Skyr Bar: Join Icelandic energy healer Jósa Goodlife for an hour of inner peace and healing meditation. Sound Bath attendees will receive a complimentary Blue Lagoon Iceland yoga mat, Icelandic Glacial water, and a Blue Lagoon Iceland Skincare gift. After the Sound Bath, guests are invited to an Icelandic Provisions Skyr Bar. October 5 from 11:00 AM-1:00 PM at Block 41.

Iceland’s Crime Fiction Royalty: A Conversation with Ragnar Jónasson and Yrsa Sigurðardóttir: Join global bestselling Icelandic authors Ragnar Jónasson and Yrsa Sigurðardóttir, known as the Queen and King of Icelandic crime fiction, for a conversation about their recent novels, literature, and life in general. Ragnar Jónasson will discuss his latest book, “Death at the Sanatorium,” as well as “Reykjavík,” his crime novel co-authored with former Icelandic Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir. Yrsa Sigurðardóttir will discuss “The Legacy,” the first in her popular crime series that has won numerous literature awards. October 5 from 1:00-2:30 PM at the National Nordic Museum.

Icelandia Presents – Northern Lights in Seattle: Join astronomy and science educator Sævar Helgi Bragason, nicknamed “Star-Sævar,” to learn about Iceland’s fascinating Northern Lights, which are expected to be even more commonly seen in 2025, 2026, and 2027. He will also explain why Iceland is a perfect location for viewing the 2026 solar eclipse. Guests will also be invited to participate in a VR experience to explore Icelandia’s tour offerings, such as their Northern Lights tours, Glacier Hikes, and ATV tours. Following the talk, guests will receive a gift from Icelandia, Blue Lagoon Iceland, and Icelandair. October 5 from 3:00-4:30 PM at Block 41.

From the Friendly Skies to Style: Icelandair x FLÉTTA Exhibition: After introducing new uniforms last year, Icelandair partnered with Icelandic design studio Flétta to reimagine retired Icelandair uniforms as unique handbags. See how Flétta upcycled materials from the old uniforms to transform them into something entirely new, extending the life of materials that have already journeyed globally and welcomed millions of passengers over the years. October 5 from 3:00-10:30 PM at Block 41.

Icelandair Presents – Concert, Comedy & Cocktails: Join us for an unforgettable evening of Icelandic entertainment at Block 41. The night kicks off with a hilarious stand-up performance by Iceland’s premier comedian, Ari Eldjárn, delivering his sharp wit and unique take on cultural quirks. Following the laughter, enjoy a live concert featuring two of Iceland’s hottest musical talents: the soulful singer-songwriter Bríet and the smooth, laid-back rapper Birnir. To add an extra flair to your evening, Iceland-inspired cocktails will be served up that will transport your taste buds to Iceland’s enchanting landscapes. October 5 from 7:30-10:30 PM at Block 41.

Wheel of Prizes Presented by Icelandair: October 3-5 at multiple events during the Taste of Iceland festival, select participants will have the opportunity to win various prizes, including a trip for two to Iceland!

Taste of Iceland was created to celebrate and introduce the traditions and culture of Iceland to North America. For more information on Taste of Iceland, please visit https://www.inspiredbyiceland.com/culture/taste-of-iceland-seattle-2024.