Taste of Iceland Festival Kicks Off U.S. Tour in Chicago, April 3-5
CHICAGO, March 17, 2025 – Taste of Iceland 2025, hosted by Inspired by Iceland, returns to Chicago, Illinois from Thursday, April 3, to Saturday, April 5. This immersive cultural festival celebrates the best of Icelandic traditions, offering attendees a chance to experience Iceland’s food, music, literature, nature, art, wellness, and design through various events across the city.
Organized in collaboration with local businesses and official partners, Taste of Iceland will take place at Bistronomic, Martyrs’, The Drake Hotel, NYCH Gallery, Wax Vinyl Bar and Ramen Shop, Yogaview, and 2112. Most events are free and open to the public, though tickets are required for entry. Reservations are also necessary for the prix-fixe Icelandic dinner, available through the Inspired by Iceland website.
Festival Highlights & Schedule
April 3 – April 5
Icelandic Menu at Bistronomic – Renowned Chef Martial Noguier teams up with Icelandic Culinary Team Chef Kristín Birta Ólafsdóttir to craft a four-course Icelandic feast, featuring premium ingredients like Icelandic seafood and lamb. Reservations are available through Inspired by Iceland.
Wheel of Prizes Presented by Icelandair – Festival attendees will have a chance to win a trip for two to Iceland, along with other prizes. Icelandair is also offering discounted flights from Chicago to Iceland, starting at $549 round-trip for travel between April 1 – June 12.
Thursday, April 3
Iceland Airwaves Off-Venue Concert – A free concert featuring lúpína, gugusar, and DJ Hermigervill, who will showcase Iceland’s vibrant music scene. 7:00 PM at Martyrs’.
Friday, April 4
Celebrating the Power of Arts and Festivals – A panel discussion featuring cultural leaders from Reykjavík and Chicago, including former Icelandic Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir. 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM at 2112.
Demo & Dine: Icelandic Lunch Experience – Chefs Hafliði Halldórsson and Kristín Birta Ólafsdóttir host a hands-on cooking demonstration followed by a gourmet meal. 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM at Bistronomic.
Icelandic HiFi: DJ Hermigervill – A high-fidelity vinyl listening session exploring Iceland’s 1970s music scene. 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM at Wax Vinyl Bar and Ramen Shop.
Saturday, April 5
Elemental Sound Bath with Blue Lagoon Iceland – A meditation and sound healing session led by Icelandic energy healer Jósa Goodlife, with complimentary gift bags for attendees. 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM at Yogaview.
Iceland’s Crime Fiction Royalty – Internationally acclaimed Icelandic crime authors Ragnar Jónasson and Yrsa Sigurðardóttir discuss their latest works, including “Death at the Sanatorium” and “The Legacy”. 1:00 PM at International Club, Drake Hotel.
Icelandia Presents: Northern Lights in Chicago – Astronomy expert Sævar “Star-Sævar” Helgi Bragason explores Iceland’s Northern Lights and upcoming 2026 solar eclipse, complemented by a virtual reality experience. 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM at International Club, Drake Hotel.
Icelandair Presents “Viewpoint”: A True-to-Life Look at Iceland – A photography exhibition showcasing Iceland’s diverse landscapes and cultural identity. Featuring works by five Icelandic artists, with an artist talk at 3:00 PM, accompanied by DJ Hermigervill and complimentary drinks. 12:00 PM at NYCH Gallery.
For more details, visit www.inspiredbyiceland.com.
