Celebrate the 136th Icelandic Festival of Manitoba in Gimli August long weekend, August 1st to 4th, 2025.

The theme for this year’s festival is "Woven Together: I50 years, Iceland and Canada / Ísland og Kanada Samtengd Í 150 Ár.” This year we celebrate 150 years since the Icelanders first settled in New Iceland and the deep connection that remains between the two countries.

“After one of our biggest festivals yet in 2024 we’re pleased to welcome everyone back to Gimli in 2025 for this milestone year,” says Icelandic Festival of Manitoba President Sigrun Asmundsson.

The Icelandic Festival of Manitoba is pleased to welcome President of Iceland Halla Tómasdóttir, who will present the Toast to Canada during the Traditional Program at Gimli Park on Monday. Ambassador of Canada to Iceland, Jenny Hill will present the Toast to Iceland and we are honoured to hear greetings from our 101st Fjallkona, Gunnvör Daníelsdóttir Ásmundsson. Hlynur Guðjónsson, Ambassador of the Embassy of Iceland in Canada, Vilhjálmur Wiium, Consul General of Iceland in Winnipeg and Minister of Sport, Culture, Heritage and Tourism Nellie Kennedy, M.L.A. will also be attending the festival.

New for this year in celebration of the 150th Iceland / New Iceland anniversary is the Moon Shine Nights Cocktail Reception – Tunglskinsnætur at Johnson Hall, which will host VIP guests and feature cocktails, appetizers and performances by local and Icelandic musicians. Limited tickets available at the Icelandic Festival Gift Shop and the festival website. Fishing has long been an important part of Icelandic culture and we’ve partnered with Kickerfish to host the first annual Íslendinga-Derby at Gimli Harbour Pier on Saturday. Register via the festival website.

Crowd favorites are returning, the Magnús Classic Gimli Strongman competition returns for the fourth year, hosted by 4x World’s Strongest Man and legendary Icelander, Magnús Ver Magnússon. Strongman athletes compete in a series of events that showcase traditional Icelandic strength and culture on Saturday at the Viking statue.

The popular Icelandic Fashion Show event expects a full house this year as the Annríki group from Iceland presents the new and restored Fjallkona costume as a gift from the women of Iceland to the women of New Iceland. Tickets are available for purchase online and at the Icelandic Festival Gift Shop while they last.

The Art Show celebrates its 56th year with entries showcasing Icelandic culture and heritage from local artists on display Saturday through Monday at the Lakeview Gimli Resort in Darren Hall. The Icelandic Culture and Heritage Pavilion will continue to host interactive workshops at the Gimli Park Pavilion on Sunday such as painting a Huldufólk house, meeting Gimli Huldufólk Snorri and Snæbjörn themselves, learning about Icelandic-Canadian ties, and how to embroider a tapestry. While there make sure to visit Amma’s Kitchen for traditional Icelandic / New Iceland treats such as Vínarterta and Rullupylsa.

Get your fill of culture on Sunday with music and poetry at Gimli Park, followed by Icelandic Men’s Choirs from Iceland, Karlakór Hreppamanna and Sprettskórinn. Discover more about your Icelandic ancestors and more at the Icelandic Roots Saga Presentations and Genealogy Workshop at the New Iceland Heritage Museum on Sunday.

Vingólf Beverage Gardens is at the Gimli Harbour Friday to Sunday, and festival-goers can enjoy cold drinks and cocktails featuring the infamous Icelandic spirit, Brennivín, and locally produced Crown Royal. The food truck and vendor areas are close by, offering many opportunities to shop local.

‘Get Dinged’ on Saturday at Vingólf Beverage Gardens by dressing up in a traditional Viking costume, eating a piece of Harðfiskur (dried fish), drinking a shot of Brennivín, chanting "Islendingadagurinn," and giving your best Viking roar! Stick around until late to see the fireworks over Gimli Harbour.

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Those wanting to show their Icelandic pride can decorate their lawns and submit photo entries for the lawn parade contest from anywhere in the world. Take part in person at one of Manitoba’s largest and longest running parades Monday morning, led by Parade Marshals, local curling champs Kadriana and Colton Lott.

50/50 draws take place daily and support partner organization—Hailey’s Way. Tickets can be purchased online at icelandicfestival5050.com and from festival volunteers on the weekend.

Through a partnership with Manitoba Music, the festival will be hosting an industry mixer, export discussion, and networking event that supports music export between Manitoba and Iceland. Leifur Björnsson, Manager of Export at Iceland Music will be attending as well as industry professionals from Manitoba.

Enjoy live music all weekend long at Friday Night at the Harbour, Saturday Night at the Harbour and Sunday’s Alternative Folk Festival which includes performances by Bjornson, Bean City Band, The Lemons, Big City Filter, Paige Drobot, Mise en Scene, Lindy Vopnfjörd, Jacob Brodovsky, and musicians from Iceland—Benni Hemm Hemm and Snorri Helgason.

Participate in the Sandcastle contest Saturday at Gimli Beach. Families can also take part in the Scavenger Hunt around Gimli, BIG Games—oversized board games Saturday and Sunday at Gimli Harbour, and Family Sports Monday at Gimli Park and farm tours and a petting zoo at local Icelandic sheep farm, Luckystone Acres on Saturday and Sunday.

Wonder Shows Midway and Rides returns to Gimli Park Friday through Monday.

If you’re looking to stay active, participants can still register for the 34th annual 1 mile. The 7th annual 5 kilometre, and 57th annual 10 mile running race are sold out for 2025.

Fris-Nok is at Gimli Park on Saturday and Beach Volleyball is at Gimli Beach.

Íslendingadagurinn wouldn’t be complete without the Viking Village. Re-enactors live like authentic 800 A.D. period Vikings by the Harbour Park Hill during the festival and host combat demonstrations each day. The Village is open Friday to Monday to visitors interested in demonstrations of authentic Viking life.                 

Those interested in cutting the lines, crowds and costs can take advantage of Odin’s Festival Pass. The festival offers affordable events thanks to the support of all its sponsors, including the Government of Canada, the Government of Iceland, the Province of Manitoba, the RM of Gimli, platinum sponsors: Diageo and Mackenzie Investments, and corporate sponsors and donors. Click for full up-to-date event schedule and follow @icelandicfestival on social media.

Media Contact: - Jenna Boholij
General Office Contact: - (204) 642-7417 or [email protected]