Rainbow Reykjavik LGBT winter festival is definitely worth checking out if you´re on your way to Iceland or in search of a good reason to come visit. The festival will kick off January 290th and offers good mixture of events and activities for four days including sight seeing tours and late night parties. Among event highlights is a trip to the geothermal Blue lagoon, Northern Lights hunt (if weather allowes), Golden Circle sight seeing tour and the ever popular Pink Party. 

Rainbow Reykjavik is a great addition for LGBT travellers who wants to come visit Iceland, experience something new and have some fun. Visit Rainbow Reykjavik for more information about the event, program and tickets. 

If you´re visiting Reykjavik over Christmas be prepared as many restaurants and shops close down from 24th to 26th of December as well as January 1st. So, stacking up with some food may be a good idea if you´re in town those days and you dont have anything booked. Visit Reykjavik website has collected a very useful list of restaurant´s opening hours as well as opening hours for other services, check it out below, just to be on the safe side.

Follow this link for complete list of opening hours during Christmas 2014

Samtokin '78 (National Queer Organization) will throw its annual Christmas Party December 20th at Kiki. The one and only DJ Dramatik will keep the party going, drag queens will perform and we´ve been told Santa will stop buy bringing gifts to those who are well behaved! The xmas party is a fundraiser for the Organization and every penny counts. Doors open at 9 pm, fabulous queens will show up fashionably late at around 11:30pm. Drink included for the early birds (until 1am or as long as they don´t run out of supplies). Special offers at the bar and the party won't stop until everyone is all warm and fuzzy! Ticket price is ISK 1500, ISK 1000 for members of Samtökin '78. 

Drag star Willam Belli was the headline act at the opening night of Reykjavik Gay Pride 2014. Not only did he dazzle us with his wit and songs he also took the time to learn a few icelandic words. Check out our video and learn some icelandic before coming to Iceland, words like "Vaðlaheiðarvegavinnuverkfærageymsluskúrslyklakippuhringur".

As usual the National Queer Center will invite everyone to attend their annual Christmas Bingo where you have the chance of winning something fantastic and fabulous. It´s always great fun to attend and socialize while enjoying a friendly vibe and support good cause at the same time.

This year´s Bingo takes place at Stúdentakjallarinn (on State University Campus, http://studentakjallarinn.is), Sunday December 7th, at 3 pm. Everyone welcome! Join the event on Facebook.

Last weekend was all about glam and glimmer when Pink Party took over the local gay scene. Check out the pictures from the party (Gayice pictures by Pall Gudjonsson).

It´s time to glam up a little and get ready for the next Pink Party on November 8th. It´s Halloween with a glamourous twist (what else).  Prizes for the 'glamoweenest' looks of the night, free glitter and makeup for those in need. So 'glam-up' and get ready for the queerest club night this season. Everything goes: drag, gender bending, club kid, glamour, grunge and freaking fabs welcome!

Location is Iðusalir - 3rd floor (Lækjargata 2a, city center). House opens 10 pm, entrance fee is ISK 1500 before midnight, 2.500 ISK after midnight. Family discount and discount for members of Samtökin '78. Free drink for those who show up early (before midnight). Age limit 22.

According to Lonely Planet´s list Best in Travel 2015Best in Travel 2015, Reykjavik is among the top 10 friendliest destinations for LGBT travelers. Copenhagen comes first on Lonely Planet´s Best in Travel list with Reykjavik listed number 9 on the list "described as one of the friendliest places and most inclusive on Earth". In 2015, Reykjavik will host its 17th Gay Pride march and the 11th BEARS ON ICE event. Iceland also has some of the world's most progressive laws. In 2006, same-sex couples were granted equal rights with their heterosexual counterparts without limitation. 

Related articles:

Gay-friendly travel destinations: The world's top 10 (The Independent)   
Fast facts about LGBT Iceland   
Iceland: Homosexuality and the law