“Iceland Noir has an atmosphere of equality that’s virtually unheard of in other festivals.” - Reykjavík Grapevine
Iceland Noir literary festival is held in Reykjavík at the darkest time of year. Founded by internationally bestselling authors Ragnar Jónasson and Yrsa Sigurðardóttir, the festival started as a celebration of crime fiction in 2013. Although the name has stayed the same, the festival has evolved and grown and now welcomes writers from many genres as well as poets and events on storytelling via film and television.
Festival dates for 2026 are from the 11th to the 14th of November. A festival pass not only provides access to all events but also access to private members club Kjarval for the duration of the festival. Our venues are all closely located in the heart of downtown Reykjavík.
Icelandair’s festival package includes a four-day Iceland Noir Literature Festival Pass and round-trip flights from your preferred airport. Plus, you can add on hotel/apartment accommodation and extend your stay in Iceland for up to 30 nights! Important: Your Iceland Noir Festival pass will be valid for all four days of the festival, despite only one date appearing on your booking confirmation.
For any Icelandair Holidays booking at any Berjaya hotel in Iceland: a complimentary welcome drink and a 15% discount at the hotel restaurant (except at the Alda hotel) is included.
Noir Festival Confirmed Attendees
Among the attendees will be Iceland’s own international bestseller and heralded crime author Arnaldur Indriðason, the award winning Finnish Novelist Sofi Oksanen, Japanese Manga author of the immensely popular Vinland saga series Makoto Yukimura. The award winning and acclaimed science fiction author Kim Stanley Robinson will also attend and the Swedish award-winning crime author, playwright and screenwriter Tove Alsterdal.
To mark the 50 year anniversary of Agatha Christie’s passing the 12th will be dedicated to her legacy with appearances by her great-grandson James Prichard, writer and executive producer of the adaptation of Christie’s Seven Dials Chris Chibnall, various Christie scholars as well as bestselling author Lucy Fowley who has been chosen to continue the Miss Marple series and Dr. Mark Aldridge that is an author, speaker and historian specialising in the work of Agatha Christie.
Many well-known names have yet to be announced.
A more comprehensive list of authors can be found in the Instagram and Facebook links below - we recommend following the festival to receive regular updates as many others have yet to be added:
Iceland Noir - Facebook
Iceland Noir - Instagram
Want to extend your short break in Iceland and see even more of what our country has to offer? During the booking process, add additional nights in Iceland for time to discover unforgettable experiences! You can add them in the booking process or after confirming your vacation package.
