Secret Solstice, Iceland’s leading music festival, is special and unique in so many ways.

Taking place from June 16 to June 18 this year, an obvious draw of the event is that festival goers enjoy daylight for an ongoing 72 hours. Because of how close Iceland is situated to the Arctic Circle, the nation gets the full on effect of seasonal changes on a unique scale. During the summer, Iceland gets long sunny days, while winter comes with complete darkness.

Another reason Secret Solstice is so unique is its sustainability record – being one of the world’s only major music festivals to be certified CarbonNeutral®. This is due to the festival using 100% renewable geothermal energy, along with hybrid vehicles and offsetting the residual emissions through the purchase of high quality, verified carbon credits.

Not forgetting the great line-up too – which this year includes Kerri Chandler, The Prodigy, Roots Manuva, Seth Troxler, Chaka Khan, Foo Fighters, Anderson Paak and Pharoahe Monch. The event also includes sessions from up-and-coming local talent including Kiriyama Family.

This year for the first time Secret Solstice will stage a couple of intimate gigs from Icelandic artists in a 5,000-year old multi-coloured tunnel made entirely of lava. Other offshoot parties or “side-events” include DJ sets in a glacier, exclusive acoustic performances from Icelandic musicians inside a volcano, and a midnight sun boat party.

Combining good tunes set within a natural landscape and with the utmost respect for the environment, Secret Solstice is also offering festival goers the chance to experience some of Reykjavik’s natural beauty. These trips can can be added on to the festival experience.

Add-on excursions include trips to the iconic Blue Lagoon, the Golden Circle, whale-watching in Akureyri, a hot spring hike, a trip to the world-famous Geysir geothermal area and Gullfoss waterfalls, and a unique whale-watching experience that takes place in everlasting daylight.

Secret Solstice Festival 2017 takes place from 16-18 June in Reykjavik 

Rosalind Medea is Life & Soul Magazine’s Chief. She is a writer who specialises in sustainable life & style, music, entertainments and wellbeing. Rosalind also works as a spiritual life coach and intuitive advisor helping people to become who they truly are and manifest their heart & soul’s desires into their lives: www.rosalindmedea.com