First Day of Summer in Iceland
April 23 · Level 3 · #1751 of 2238
Iceland's First Day of Summer follows an old calendar rather than the weather forecast. This public holiday arrives in April, when snow and chilly temperatures can still make summer feel a long way off.
How it is celebrated: communities organise parades, children's activities, concerts and sports. Families spend time together, and children traditionally receive summer presents, sometimes including things for playing outdoors.
The old Icelandic calendar divided the year into two main seasons: winter and summer. An April welcome for summer makes sense within that system, even when visitors are still reaching for an extra jumper.