Hallgrímskirkja hosts anniversary programme on 25 October
Published on 10/04/2026 at 05:00 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
Hallgrímskirkja in Reykjavik marks its 40th anniversary with a festive service, two exhibitions and a choir concert on 25 October 2026. The Lutheran church is presenting the programme as part of its autumn schedule, which combines worship, music, art and community activities.
Hallgrímskirkja anniversary programme runs on 25 October
The anniversary programme begins with a festive service at 11am on 25 October 2026. The church says the date marks 40 years since its consecration, giving the commemoration a direct connection with the building rather than with a general city celebration.
Two exhibitions are due to open after the service. Hallgrímskirkja in Colour is an exhibition by Ingi Hrafn Stefánsson, while Hallgrímsskirkjurefill is an illustrated history of the church by Halldór Baldursson. The autumn programme describes both displays as part of the anniversary year and places their opening inside the church after the service. The church has also announced the choir concert In caelo et in terra at 5pm on 25 October, celebrating the release of the choir’s first full-length album of new Icelandic sacred music. The concert is organised by the Choir Hallgrímskirkja and features Steinar Logi Helgason as conductor, Björn Steinar Sólbergsson on organ and Jóna G. Kolbrúnardóttir and Sólbjörg Björnsdóttir as sopranos, alongside the choir. The concert programme for 25 October lists new settings of sacred Latin texts.
Art and music connect with Reykjavik church history
The anniversary schedule shows how the church is being used as both a place of worship and a cultural venue. The exhibition Hallgrímsskirkjurefill turns the building’s own story into an art subject, while Hallgrímskirkja in Colour offers a separate visual response by a named artist. The same day then moves from the 11am service to the choir’s evening concert, linking the anniversary’s religious and musical strands.
The autumn programme also includes Sunday worship, services in English, prayer in the chapel, organ and meditation sessions, family worship and concerts. Its October calendar places the family service on 18 October and the Hallgrímsmessa on 21 October, while the anniversary events remain concentrated on 25 October. The church’s autumn programme for 2026 says access can be restricted during worship, ceremonies and concerts.
Hallgrímskirkja is a house of worship and prayer in Reykjavik. Visitors reach the tower by lift to the eighth floor, while the top floor is not wheelchair accessible. The operator also asks visitors to observe the religious setting and notes that sightseeing is not possible during services and events. Further visitor information for the church explains the access arrangements.
Visiting Hallgrímskirkja: what travellers from Western Europe should know
- The anniversary service and exhibition openings take place on 25 October 2026, followed by the In caelo et in terra choir concert at 5pm.
- The church and tower may be temporarily unavailable for sightseeing during the service, ceremony and concert, so the anniversary programme changes access during those activities.
- The church is at Hallgrímstorgi 1 in central Reykjavik. The operator identifies the site as a house of worship and prayer.
- Ground-floor access is described as good for wheelchair users. The tower lift reaches the eighth floor, but the top floor is not wheelchair accessible.
- Inside the nave and tower, visitors are asked to speak quietly. Food is not permitted there, and commercial photography or recording requires approval.
- Icelandic is the official language of Iceland, and the national currency is the Icelandic króna.
Searching for Hallgrímskirkja on social platforms
These links open searches for Hallgrímskirkja on each platform.
Frequently asked questions about Hallgrímskirkja
When does the anniversary programme take place at Hallgrímskirkja?
The main anniversary programme takes place on 25 October 2026, with a festive service at 11am, exhibition openings afterwards and a choir concert at 5pm.
What is Hallgrímskirkja?
Hallgrímskirkja is a Lutheran house of worship and prayer in Reykjavik that also hosts exhibitions, concerts and community activities.
Where is Hallgrímskirkja and how do you get there?
It is at Hallgrímstorgi 1 in Reykjavik. The church operator provides access to the tower by lift to the eighth floor, while the top floor is not wheelchair accessible.
