SAGA SHOP - Haust I Fall 2019

12 Icelandair Stopover REYKJAVÍK October 9 Imagine Peace Tower Lighting Located just off the coast of Reykjavík on Viðey island is the Imagine Peace Tower, a light installation conceived by Yoko Ono in remembrance of her husband John Lennon. Every year on October 9, his birthday, the tower is lit in a beautiful ceremony, beaming brightly in the Reykjavík sky as a symbol of peace. Everyone is welcome to attend, and the ferry ride is free for this special event. I imaginepeacetower.com AKUREYRI October 10–13 A! Performance Festival If you’re up North in October, make space in your schedule for the A! Performance Festi- val, a celebration of theater and dance in the ever-artistic town of Akureyri. A collaboration between local and international performers, the festival shows off the town’s surprisingly rich and impressive cultural scene. Shows take place in Icelandic, English, and the uni- versal language of dance. I listak.is RIF October 26–28 Northern Wave International Film Festival Head to Snæfellsnes for Northern Wave, an offbeat short-film festival held in the tiny fishing village of Rif. The festival champions the French New Wave philosophy, rejecting conventional storytelling in favor of more free-form narratives. In addition to screen- ings, don’t miss workshops, talks, and the annual fish banquet, where local foodies compete for the esteemed title of best seafood dish. I northernwavefestival.com EAST ICELAND October 30 to November 3 Days of Darkness East Iceland settles in for winter with the Days of Darkness festival, with events unfolding in towns all over the region. In keeping with the time of year, the festivities are a dusky blend of cozy and spooky, includ- ing ghost walks, masked balls, art exhibitions, candlelit swimming, Halloween fun, harvest buffets, and more. You’ll also find festival discounts on dining and accommodation, making this a wallet-friendly time to visit the beautiful East. I facebook.com/dagarmyrkurs REYKJAVÍK November 6–9 Iceland Airwaves Celebrating its 21 st this year, Iceland Airwaves is the highlight of the Iceland music festival calendar. This year’s lineup features local stars Of Monsters and Men (interviewed on page 18), Hatari and Vök, alongside interna- tional guests such as John Grant and Orville Peck. Flip over to pages 22 and 24 for tips and practical advice. I airwaves.is ICELAND December 1–24 Advent Celebrations If you’re traveling in December, you’re right on time to catch some Christmas festivities. In Reykjavík, head to the National Museum of Iceland or Árbær Open Air Museum to meet some of the 13 Yule Lads (Iceland’s more mischievous and multitudinous versions of Santa Claus) and learn about local Yuletide traditions. You can also pay the Yule Lads a home visit at their residence in Dimmuborgir, a lava field close to Lake Mývatn in North Iceland. And if you’re hoping to pick up some presents and a dose of holiday cheer, try a Christmas market. We love the one in Hafnar- fjörður, which is open on weekends through- out Advent. I thjodminjasafn.is , borgarsogu- safn.is , visitmyvatn.is , facebook.com/jolathorp REYKJAVÍK December 31 New Year’s Eve Run Set the pace for the year to come with the New Year’s Eve 10K. Starting and finishing at the iconic Harpa Concert Hall, the course (which includes a 3-km fun run) traces along the (possibly) snow-capped Reykjavík coast- line and into the downtown area. The race attracts everyone from professional runners to families just warming up for the fireworks. If speed isn’t your forte, just dress to impress: There are prizes both for times and costumes. I netskraning.is/gamlarshlaupir From left: Akureyri celebrates the stage arts. Photo by Ahmad Odeh. The Imagine Peace Tower shines as a beacon of peace. Photo by Shutterstock. Hatari returns to Airwaves for 2019. Photo by Florian Trykowski. HERE AND THERE Here’s what happening on the hippest island in the North Atlantic this winter. BY SARAH DEARNE. n Reykjavík n Rif East Iceland n Akureyri n