The 4th Annual Rauðasandur Festival is a unique multi-weekend.

Founded in 2011, Rauðasandur Festival is a music and events festival set in the stunning scenery of Rauðasandur (Red Sands) of the West Fjords of Iceland. The region is a 10 km long 3km wide red sandy beach stretching to Látrabjarg cliffs, which is the westernmost point of Iceland, and facing the bay of Breidafjordur.

The festival takes place during the first weekend of July each year when Iceland enjoys the bright summer night skies and the sun never sets, but rather lingers behind the mountains for a while creating orange, pink and purple hues in the sky before rising again. At this time of year Rauðasandur beach heats up in the summer sun and when the tides come in the sea is warmed up to between 15 and 18 degrees celcius and people in the region and visitors enjoy swimming in the sea.

The idea for the festival was first an urge within a group of a few friends to gather friends, and friends of friends, out in the countryside and play music and organize fun activites for each other – friends playing for friends – but soon the idea took a life of its own and became a full-blown festival with a mission; a genre festival of country, blues, folk, bluegrass, reggae or anything in between, welcoming performance artists and in addition utilize the environment for various family friendly activites such as beach volleyball, sandcastle competition, yoga, hiking and the like. The family friendly atmosphere sees both toddlers and teanagers coming to the festival with their parents.
The music genres featured at the festival and the lines set forth by the organizers bring about a very chilled out ambience and significant spirit of comradery. The festival is a non-profit initiative and any proceeds from the festival are put towards both building up the area, the Farm of Melanes camp site and related facilities, as well as building up the fesitval as an organization.

Performers in 2013 included Borko, Snorri Helgason, Prins póló, Nolo, Ylja, Samaris, Mr. Silla and Ryan MacGrath.

The environmental policy of the festival is to preserve the natural beauty of the area and to leave no trace behind. During the rest of the year, the area is a working farm, so it is vital that all waste is removed after the guests leave. Recycling and general respect for the area is greatly pormoted and enforced. The Rauðasandur area is a unique natural wonder and it will be treated with care and respect. A parliamentary proposition is currently under consideration to make Rauðasandur a national park.

Please note that guests under the age of 20 are asked to be accompanied by parents, free admission for kids age 14 and younger with parents.

The festival is growing and will continue to do so for years to come at the farm of Melanes, Rauðsandur but always stay small and intimate.

We hope to see you there!