Though the grand spectacles of summer may have passed, October remains a vibrant month on the LGBTQIA+ calendar, filled with enriching events.
October in LGBTQIA+ Iceland ushers in a deeper sense of autumn, as the crisp air and golden hues of the season settle across the country. While the daylight hours grow shorter, the vibrancy of the LGBTQ+ community continues to shine brightly, offering warmth and camaraderie during this transitional period. The excitement from summer may have mellowed, but October brings its own unique charm, blending the reflective calm of autumn with a steady pulse of cultural and social events.
Reykjavík and its surrounding areas come alive with a variety of activities that invite both locals and visitors to explore Iceland’s LGBTQIA+ scene. The city’s cosy cafes, galleries, and event spaces provide intimate settings for thought-provoking discussions, artistic performances, and welcoming social gatherings. As the pace of life slows with the changing season, October offers the perfect opportunity to enjoy meaningful connections and the rugged beauty of Iceland in a more serene, introspective atmosphere.
Though the grand spectacles of summer may have passed, October remains a vibrant month on the LGBTQIA+ calendar, filled with enriching events. So, wrap up warm and prepare to enjoy the rich tapestry of experiences that LGBTQIA+ Iceland has to offer in October.
Bókaklúbbur Samtakanna ‘78 (Samtök 78 Book Club) – Giovanni’s Room
When: Thursday October 3
Time: 20:00
Where: Samtökin ‘78, Suðurgata 3, 101 RVK
Cost: Free
For literary fans within the community, Iceland’s national queer organisation Samtökin 78 hosts a monthly book club open to all interested in getting together to discuss queer works of literature. This month the club will be looking at ‘The Queens of Sarmiento Park’ by the Argentinian writer, Camila Sosa Villada. Camila is a trans woman, writer, actress and an activist. The novel is set in the Argentine city of Córdoba and focuses on the lives of a group of trans women who are sex workers in Sarmiento Park. When they find an abandoned baby, everything changes.
In libraries the book is mostly available in Icelandic but the English version can be found as an e-book or an audio book. In Spanish as well for language-icons.
Event Link
Kikioke – Karaoke at Kiki!
When: Thursdays (October 3, 10, 17, 24 & 31)
Time: 22:00 to late
Where: Kiki Queer Bar, Laugavegur 22, 101 RVK
Cost: Free
Every Thursday people from all over descend on Iceland’s premier queer bar to share the joys of their vocal talents. The karaoke typically kicks off around 10pm and goes till late so do your warm ups and make your song selections.
Event Link
Faye Knús Friday Drag Show at Kiki
When: Fridays (October 4,11,18 & 25)
Time: Doors open 20:00, show starts 21:30
Where: Kiki Queer Bar, Laugavegur 22, 101 RVK
Cost: 1500 ISK (tickets on the door only), entry is free for VIQ-Card holders.
Kiki’s resident drag queen AKA “the hardest working woman in show business,” Faye Knús (body of a dancer, voice of your father) hosts an evening of drag, comedy, mid-life crisis and acts that cannot be unseen. It’s the perfect way to start your evening and the rest of your life.
Event Link
Heart Attack! Drag at Kiki
When: Saturday October 5
Time: 21:00
Where: Kiki Queer Bar, Laugavegur 22, 101 RVK
Cost: 2900kr (available at the door)
Heart Attack is a monthly drag show, hosted by the drag family House of Heart! This extravagant group of performers brings you a different show each month, filled with music, dance and laughter. This is one of the best ways to experience and support local drag so mark it in your calendars and bring a few bills to tip your kings and queens.
This month’s performers are:
Lola Von Heart (The Matriarch)
Chardonnay Bublée (She’s a cool mom)
Milo de Mix (Funniest dad award winner)
Úlla la Delish (Is she still just a baby?)
This month they will also be joined by Local Drag Legend, Gógó Starr!
House of Revolution Vol.5 ‘ROOTED’
When: Saturday October 5
Time: 21:00
Where: Þjóðleikhúskjallarinn, Hverfisgötu 19, 101 RVK
Cost: 4.900 ISK (suggested) 6.900 ISK (includes a donation) – House of Revolution also accepts a sliding scale with “pay what you can” tickets at the door on the day of the show! However, they recommend you purchase in advance if you can, in order to secure your tickets.
Come experience a variety show like you’ve never seen here in Iceland! A culture shake which holds a mirror up to all the beautiful unseen edges of Icelandic society.HOUSE OF
“ROOTED” is a show about where we come from, who we are, and where we’re going. Featuring an amazing variety of local performers telling their stories using their personal art forms.
Artist-Activist collective R.E.C. Arts Reykjavík presents “House of Revolution”, a curation in collaboration with The National Theatre of Iceland.
These “performance parties” showcase the abundance of diverse professional artists who call Iceland home. Performed and curated by artists of minority backgrounds and communities
FEATURED ARTISTS, 5 October:
Dan Roh (comedy)
Kamilla (aerial pole)
Mario Infantes & Monace (live music)
NÓEL (poetry, singing & sign language storytelling)
Flor (bellydance)
Nina Basdras (singing & storytelling) & Cheryl Kara Ang accompanying on piano
Carla Rose (DJ)
Sign Language interpretation by Hraðar Hendur Tánkmálskúlkar
Hosted by Rebecca Hidalgo, Eva Yggdrasil & Chaiwe Sól
Betra Seint en Aldrei – Better Late than Never
When: Sunday October 6
Time: 15:00
Where: Suðurgata 3, 101 Reykjavík, Iceland
Cost: Free
This is a special afternoon dedicated to women who came out late. In the event description the group have stated:
If you came out late and would like to meet other women who share your experience, come along to Samtökin 78 for an afternoon meeting.
Event Link
ApocalypsticK: House of HUNTease
When: Friday October 11
Time: 21:00
Where: Gaukurinn, Tryggvagata 22, 101 RVK
Cost: 2.500 ISK
Get ready for a night of thrills, chills, and fierce performances at The house of HUNTteeas!
This halloween themed drag variety night is creeping onto the stage at Gaukurinn for a night of glamour, ghouls, and gags! It’s Apocalypstick, where the freshest talent in Icelandic drag, cabaret, and beyond will serve you hauntingly fabulous looks and spine-tingling performances.
Frightening Foolery, Ghastly Glamour, and Sinister Slayage guaranteed. Hosted by the devilishly delightful Morningstarr, the show kicks off at 21:00 (9 PM), but beware… seating is limited, so come early to snatch your spot in the front row (if you dare)!
Tickets are just 2.500kr, available at the door. And the frightful fun doesn’t end there! After the show, stick around for Queer-aoke, where you and your squad can howl your favourite tunes into the night. Karaoke is free for all after the show ends.
So grab your broomsticks, summon your friends, and prepare for a night of devilish delights at Apocalypstick!
Event Link
The Hump Day Social – take over version
The Hump Day Social is a monthly social event for gay men to meet up and enjoy the company of others in the community. On one Wednesday (or hump day) an event is planned from 7:00pm-10:00pm. This month the event is taking place on October the sixteenth.
When: Wednesdat-y October 11
Time: 19:00 – 22:00
Where: Kramber, Skólavörðustígur 12, 101 RVK
Cost: Free entry
Hinsegin Prjónaklúbbur – Queer Knitting Club
When: Sunday October 20
Time: 18:00
Where: Samtökin ‘78, Suðurgata 3, 101 RVK
Cost: Free
This event is designed for queer people interested in knitting, crocheting, embroidering or other crafts to come together and enjoy doing it with other queer people. Just bring your craft with you and have fun.
Event Link
Queer Seniors Meeting
When: Wednesday October 23
Time: 17:00
Where: Samtökin ‘78, Suðurgata 3, 101 RVK
Cost: Free
This will be an opportunity for members of the local queer community who are 60+ to come to S78.
Art School Vol.5 – Vaguely Spooky Edition (drag variety show)
When: Thursday October 24
Time: 21:00
Where: Lemmy, Austurstræti 20, 101 Reykjavíkurborg, Ísland
Cost: The Door price is suggested at 2.000 ISK, or pay what you can. If you pay more, you’re sponsoring a ticket for someone in the community and helping this group to keep the tickets at a pay-what-you-can basis! Tipping your performers is heavily encouraged, and there is also fun ‘in-house’ tip money to fulfil your make-it-rain fantasy!
You know these two scorpio suns had to do it to you – it’s ART SCHOOL: VAGUELY SPOOKY EDITION.
ART SCHOOL is a regular drag show that focuses on providing a stage for new, as well as experienced, performers to test out new acts or new approaches to performing. The purpose is to create a space for acts that push either performer or audience out of their comfort zone – after all, we’re here to learn and grow!
Your hosts, as usual, will be Jett Bent and Scorpio Venus .
This month’s lineup:
Gógó Starr
Chardonnay Bublée
Milo de Mix
Piston Q
Moxxi DeMime
Slayja Vu Starr
Dr. Philyou
Strip Lab Presents – Succubus Season
When: Friday October 25
Time: 21:00
Where: Gaukurinn, Tryggvagata 22, 101 RVK
Cost: 3.900 ISK (sold at the door only)
THIS EVENT IS RESTRICTED TO PEOPLE OVER THE AGE OF 20
Local strip-style dance group ‘Strip Lab’ are going to perform the sexiest halloween show this spooky season. This will be an unforgettably titillating show filled with wicked temptation and dark fantasy.