Iceland Airwaves returns to Reykjavík from 5–7 November 2026, transforming venues around the Icelandic capital into one enormous showcase for established and emerging music.

Rather than concentrating exclusively on giant headliners, Airwaves remains heavily focused on discovery.

Who is playing Iceland Airwaves 2026?

The wider Airwaves programme includes special events from Shygirl, Daði Freyr with the Iceland Symphony Orchestra and The Streets.

Shygirl performs on 4 November, while Daði Freyr appears on 5 November. The Streets then perform A Grand Don’t Come For Free in full at Harpa on 8 November.

Across the official festival programme, announced artists include Heartworms, Jamie Woon, Adult DVD, Arny Margret, Axel Flóvent, Dove Ellis, Emmsjé Gauti, Liim, Sex Week, Skeler, Yaelokre, YARD and dozens more.

Iceland Airwaves is really about discovery

That’s what separates this festival from most of the others on this list.

The biggest search opportunities aren’t necessarily limited to headline names.

Airwaves has historically worked as an international showcase where audiences, labels and music-industry professionals discover artists early.

For music fans wanting to hear something new rather than simply see familiar festival headliners, that remains the attraction.

When is Iceland Airwaves 2026?

The official festival programme runs from 5–7 November across downtown Reykjavík, with additional special events surrounding those dates.