Bank Holidays in Iceland - Closing Days of 2018/2019

Iceland was a part of Denmark from 1814 until 1944, which had an influence on the bank holidays in this ountry. There are, however, a few exceptions, where closing days in Iceland are different from the Danish bank holidays.

There are three bank holidays in Iceland that do not exist in Denmark (or anywhere else); First Day of Summer (Sumardagurinn fyrsti), Icelandic National Day/Independence Day (Þjóðhátíðardagurinn) and Trading Day (Verslunarmannahelgin)

In total - not counting the ones falling on a Sunday (Palm-, Easter- and Whit Sunday), there are 12 holidays in Iceland. They are all listed for 2018 and 2019 in the table below:

25^th and 26^th of December are both national holidays in Iceland. The 24^th and 31^st of December are not closing days; however, shops and companies typically end their day early - at 12 noon.

First Day of Summer - Icelandic bank holiday
The First Day of Summer - in Icelandic Sumardagurinn fyrsti, is celebrated the first Thursday after the 18^th of April. To many people, it may seem a bit early to celebrate that the summer has arrived in April, but not in Iceland. Sumardagurinn fyrsti is celebrated with sporting events, parades and with other sorts of entertainment, even though Iceland, at this time of year frequently will experience snowy and icy conditions.  

On this bank holiday shops, institutions and companies are closed or open on the same conditions as on Sundays.

Video: Optimistic Icelandic surfer defies blizzard on the First Day of Summer

Icelandic national holiday - Independence Day
The year of 1944 is very important in Iceland, as it was the year Iceland achieved independence from Denmark

In 1943, the Danish-Icelandic Act of Union expired after 25 years, and Iceland declared itself an independent country by popular vote. Iceland seized the opportunity to declare themselves independent, as Denmark was occupied by the German Troops at the time. The people of Iceland voted 97% in favour of ending the Danish-Icelandic Union.

The Icelandic national holiday is celebrated on the 17^th of June. This date was not chosen by coincidence, but in honour of Jón Sigurðsson (1811-1879), the leader of the 19^th century Icelandic independence movement, who was born in this date.  On the 17^th of June 1944, the ties were formally severed to the Danish Monarchy, founding the Republic of Iceland. The first Icelandic president, Sveinn Björnsson, was also elected on this day. 

Trading Day - Iceland closing day
Yet another untraditional closing day in Iceland is Trading Day. The holiday is celebrated the first Monday of August. Many Icelanders take advantage of the extended weekend leaving their homes to see friends. Others go camping, drive to their summerhouses in the countryside, visit their families or participate in one of the many festivals that are being held this particular weekend in Iceland.

Trading Day in Iceland used to be reserved for high ranking public officers, but today it is a national holiday in Iceland, and therefore the whole nation has the day off. The holiday falls on the 6th of August 2018 and August 5th in 2019.