Once created as a holiday for shopkeepers and workers, Commerce Day has grown into Iceland's biggest summer festival weekend. It's celebrated with concerts, camping and community events across the country.

When is Commerce Day?

Commerce Day in Iceland is celebrated every year on the first Monday in August.

The following is the list of Commerce Day from 2020 to 2049.

The History of Commerce Day?

Commerce Day was created in the late 19th to early 20th century as a holiday for shopkeepers and commerce workers. At the time, most Icelanders worked in farming and fishing, and those in commerce often had no formal breaks. The holiday was meant to give them a much-needed summer rest.

The holiday became officially recognized in the first decades of the 1900s, aligning with other European traditions of granting workers in trade and services a dedicated day off. It was originally tied to commerce workers, but gradually other professions also began observing it.

By the mid-20th century, Commerce Day had expanded far beyond its original purpose. Icelanders started using the long weekend for travel, camping, and outdoor gatherings, marking it as the highlight of the summer season.

Today, Commerce Day (first Monday of August) is the largest travel and festival weekend in Iceland. While its name still reflects its roots in honoring shopkeepers, the holiday is now celebrated by all Icelanders as a joyful long weekend of summer fun.