Reykjavik prepares for February gay festival
Iceland’s capital city is inviting gay people from around the world to attend its International LGBT Festival from 16-19 February.
The Rainbow Reykjavik Event Team along with tour operators Pink Iceland and Reykjavik Excursions, have put together a programme of events and tours.
Audur Halldorsdottir from Visit Reykjavik said: “We are really excited about hosting Rainbow Reykjavik and welcoming the LGBT Community from across the world to our beautiful and very LGBT-friendly country!”
Eva María Thorarinsdottir Lange, Managing Director of Pink Iceland said: “The Rainbow Reykjavik program provides a colourful mixture of various events, including tours to see the Northern Lights, geysirs, waterfalls and the Continental Divide, great meals, cocktail receptions and dance parties….as well as pure wellness and relaxation in the world famous geothermal spa of the Blue Lagoon.”
In addition to experiencing Iceland’s unparalleled nature, a ‘Queer Concert’ in Reykjavik’s new Harpa Concert Hall is also included in the programme.
After an LGBT community dinner in the the beautiful Kolabrautin Restaurant in Harpa Concert Hall, Rainbow Reykjavik is proud to announce that some of Iceland’s most famous artists are scheduled to perform, including Lay Low and Paul Oscar.
Organisers say Lay Low “took the country by storm, seemingly coming out of nowhere, and quickly became one of Iceland’s most celebrated and popular singer-songwriters”.
Paul Oscar is described as one of Iceland’s “most beloved performing artists, leading and involved in LGBT rights since the early 90’s”.
He enjoyed a triple win at the Icelandic Music Awards in 2007 for his solo album, Allt fyrirástina (Anything For Love).
He also represented Iceland in the Eurovision Song Contest, was a judge in both the Icelandic Idol and X-Factor TV series, and is Iceland’s most sought after DJ and performer. Organisers said his float in the Reykjavík Gay Pride parade is always the “most anticipated of all”.
Rainbow Reykjavik says temperatures are moderate year-round, with snow a rarity in the world’s northernmost capital city.
“And always bring a bathing suit, whatever time of the year you visit. A favourite pastime is year-round outdoor swimming in countless geothermally heated pools and lagoons, with a typical temperature of 25-28°C. And there is no better time to see the Northern Lights!“ says Audur Halldorsdottir.
Icelandair is a proud Platinum sponsor for the event, and organisers describe the prices of their package as “unbelievable”:
• Roundtrip flight to Iceland
• 3 nights hotel stay in either Reykjavik Natura or Hilton Reykjavik Nordica
• Flybus transportation from and to the airport
• A soak in the Blue Lagoon
• Welcome party with local performers
• Gullfoss, Gaysir & Fontana Tour & Lunch box
• Dinner at the beautifult Kolabrautin Restaurant in Harpa Concert Hall
• Concert in Harpa
• Party at Barbara & Trúnó
• Light lunch
• LGBT History Walk in Reykjavík
• Cocktail reception
• Dinner Dance Party – Viking Theme
