Skoða efni A few annual social events

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== The Westman Islands’ national festival ==

is unquestionably the best known festival attracting the
greatest number of mainland visitors. Held in Herjólfsdalur
on the first weekend in August, it is a 3-4 day
outdoor festival where having a good time is everyone´s
easily fulfilled aim. The whole weekend is packed with
entertainment of all description, including the traditional
bonfire, fireworks and the famous “hillside sing-along”.
Specially built structures fill the valley, not to mention
the large white tents of the locals who literally move
house during the festival and prove their famed hospitality
by welcoming guests for coffee, smoked puffin and
sundry other delicacies.


== Celebrating the end of eruption. ==
This has become a fixed event in the islands´ social life. It is held on the
weekend following 3 July, the day in 1972 when the
eruption was officially declared at an end. On Saturday
night the island pubs open their doors and floors to
musicians of all descriptions who are encouraged to sing
and play to their hearts delight. A great number of
former islanders choose this weekend for a visit.

== The thirteenth ==
is the 13th day of Christmas, traditionally a festive day in the islands.
A torch-lit parade of fascinating creatures: the ancient
Icelandic ogress Grýla and her less than lovely husband
and sons, as well as elfs, fairies, demons and trolls join
the locals at a huge bonfire and splendid fireworks.
Sailors´day, although a national day of festivities, has
always been particularly dear to the hearts of the Westman
islanders, not surprisingly so, considering their history.

== The sailor day ==
festivities are held on the first weekend
in June with a full programme on both Saturday and
Sunday emphasing seamanship connected sports as well
as various entertainment for the general public.

== 17 June ==
is Iceland´s national holiday. This day was
for a long time not given as promient a place in the
islands as on the mainland. The reason presumably was
their own national holiday in August, a considerably
more important event in islander´s mind. During recent
years, however, Iceland´s national holiday, has been
shown the respect it is due with a parade and outdoor
festitivities.

== The puffling time ==
is an annual event, unique to the
Westman Islands. It is impossible to put a more precise
date to it than early to mid-August as it is determined
by the pufflings themselves. Leaving their cliff nests
they fly into town attracted by the electric lights and
discover a harder and considerably more complicated
world than they have been used to. Everywhere, however,
saviours are waiting: the island children with their
cardboard boxes prepared and ready to gather the lost
and totally bewildered pufflings and take them down
to the shore to release them into the sea. In recent years
whole families have visited Heimaey to take part in the
puffling adventure, a unique event, full of joy.