Music has long been a key part of the programming at Hafnarborg, which features a diverse and ambitious schedule of live music.

The museum’s concert series and music festivals have established themselves as an important part of the cultural life in Hafnarfjörður. Leading Icelandic and international musicians have performed here, and it has also been a place where new and promising artists have taken the first steps in their musical careers.

For many, their first visit to Hafnarborg is to attend a concert, which usually takes place in the museum’s main hall. There, the art exhibitions envelop the audience, forming an ever-changing backdrop for the musical performance that makes the experience unique. In this way, the hall offers a special intimacy and atmosphere that can truly be considered special among the array of concert venues in the capital region.

Music in all its diverse forms has been interwoven with Hafnarborg’s activities from the very beginning. Soon after Hafnarborg’s inauguration in 1988, it became clear that the acoustics and conditions in the main hall on the 2nd floor were exceptionally well-suited for holding concerts. Therefore, with the support of the Magni Debating Society, a Fazioli grand piano was purchased, which was inaugurated at a concert in the hall in January 1989.

In the autumn of 2003, Hafnarborg launched a series of lunchtime concerts under the artistic direction of pianist Antonía Hevesi, who has led them from the very beginning. The concerts are offered by Hafnarborg, admission is free, and everyone is welcome as long as space permits.

In the autumn of 2003, Hafnarborg launched a series of midday concerts under the artistic direction of pianist Antonía Hevesi, who has led them from the very beginning. The concerts are presented by Hafnarborg, admission is free, and all are welcome as long as space permits.

From the start, the concert series has placed a special emphasis on opera music, featuring performances by many of the nation’s foremost singers. The series offers first-class musical performances and provides an important cultural experience for the local community, especially among older people who enjoy attending the concerts regularly.

The Lunchtime concerts take place every first Tuesday a month during wintertime, a day when the museum is otherwise closed. This gives the Hafnarborg staff time to prepare and clear the space without disturbing the museum’s exhibitions.

The Phonemes (Hljóðön) concert series has been part of Hafnarborg’s programme since 2013, under the artistic direction of composer Þráinn Hjálmarsson. The series is dedicated to the music of the 20th and 21st centuries, where the ingenuity and artistic explorations of composers lead listeners into new territory. The name Hljóðön refers to phonemes, the smallest sound units in language that distinguish meaning – basic units that can be pieced together in different ways to create meaning.

The goal of the concerts is to present diverse works by leading contemporary composers. A special emphasis is placed on works that are best enjoyed in the intimate setting that Hafnarborg’s hall offers.

Annually, on the first Saturday of Advent, Hafnarborg fills with song and festive spirit for the “Singing christmas” concert. A number of choirs from Hafnarfjörður perform, ranging from preschool choirs to the Hrafnista senior choir, singing beautiful Christmas carols.

The concert is held in collaboration with the town of Hafnarfjörður and the local Christmas Village, and is a beloved tradition of the Advent season in town.

The Hafnarborg Song festival was first held in the summer of 2017 and has been an annual summer event ever since. Guðrún Jóhanna Ólafsdóttir and Francisco Javier Jáuregui are the founders and artistic directors of the festival. They are joined by outstanding singers and instrumentalists to celebrate the magic of the voice and of music. In connection with the festival, music workshops are also held for children and adults.

The Hafnarborg Songfest won the 2021 Icelandic Music Award for Music Event of the Year in the classical and contemporary music category.

In 1990, Hafnarborg launched a concert series in collaboration with the Hafnarfjörður School of Music. The same year, a collaboration began with the Reykjavík Trio, which lasted for over two decades, until 2012.

The Trio’s first concert at Hafnarborg was held on September 2, 1990. Dozens of leading musicians, both Icelandic and international, performed at the 100 concerts that the Trio held in the museum. Many new musical works were premiered at these concerts, making the series a significant contribution to Icelandic musical life.