Inspired by Iceland is bringing Taste of Iceland to Vancouver for the first time from November 11 to 14, 2026, with a program spanning Icelandic food, cocktails, music, photography and travel. The four-day festival includes a visiting chef collaboration at Hawksworth Restaurant and several free cultural events across the city.
Food takes centre stage at Hawksworth Restaurant, where Icelandic chef Ísak Darri will collaborate with chef David Hawksworth on a prix fixe menu available for lunch and dinner from November 12 to 14. The menu will feature cod from Icelandic Seafood and lamb from Icelandic Lamb, giving Vancouver diners an opportunity to try ingredients associated with Iceland’s fishing and farming traditions. Reservations are available through the festival’s Icelandic menu page.
Cocktails get their own event on November 13 with Across Iceland, A Guided Cocktail Journey at J Lounge. Storyteller Ragnar Bragason and mixologist Arnór Gísli will guide guests through three cocktails inspired by Iceland’s regions, with stories connecting the drinks to local landscapes and properties within Iceland Hotel Collection by Berjaya. The event runs from 5 to 7 p.m. and is open to guests aged 19 and older.
The music program begins November 11 at The Pearl with a free Iceland Airwaves Off-Venue concert featuring virgin orchestra and SCAM, with DJ Hermigervill playing between sets. Doors open at 7 p.m. A jazz performance by saxophonist Óskar Guðjónsson and electric bassist Skúli Sverrisson follows November 13 from 6 to 7 p.m. at The Hargrove.
Photography and travel programming will take place at J Lounge. Iceland by the World’s Worst Photographer features images by Blanche Mortemard, with exhibition hours on November 13 from noon to 5 p.m. and November 14 from 3 to 5 p.m. Mortemard will also give a talk on November 14 at 3 p.m.
Northern Lights Over Vancouver runs November 14 from 1 to 3 p.m., pairing a presentation by astronomy educator Sævar Helgi Bragason with virtual reality experiences featuring Icelandia tours. The evening brings Iceland Unfiltered, a storytelling and comedy event with Ragnar and Bergur Ebbi, from 5 to 7 p.m. for guests aged 19 and older.
Cyclists can join Lauf Cycles and Canadian rider Oskar Stack-Michasiw for a 24-kilometre social ride around Stanley Park on November 14 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., followed by food and a raffle.
Most festival events are free, with tickets required. The Taste of Iceland Vancouver schedule includes registration links, dining reservations and details about the Wheel of Prizes presented by Icelandair, with prizes including a trip for two to Iceland.