Stúdentablaðið/Elín Edda Þorsteinsdóttir

Got a hot date? Tired of watching Netflix on your tiny computer screen? Or looking for a way to warm yourself up in the cold Icelandic winter, without spending a lot of money? The Student Paper is here to help you. We looked for things you can do for free in Reykjavík - besides studying, that is (you’re paying for that anyway). Below are a few choice wallet-friendly events for your mind, body and soul.

What if I told you there was a place where you could swap your old clothes for new clothes without spending any money? Loft Hostel hosts a Swap ‘til you drop: Clothes and Books exchange event every month. It’s great for your closet and for the environment too! Who knows what you might find - maybe that top you saw on Instagram that you really want but can’t find anywhere, or a worn out T-shirt so soft you’ll never want to take it off. As they say, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.

If you like art, you’re in luck, because Reykjavík has many cute galleries you can visit for free. The Marshall House combines three galleries under one roof: The Living Art Museum, Gallery Kling & Bang, and Studio Ólafur Elíasson. Listastofan, a gallery and art space, hosts exhibitions by various artists and Ásmundarsalur is a brand new gallery space by Hallgrímskirkja that’s worth checking out.

If you’re interested in making art, may I suggest Water Colouring Night at Loft Hostel, held every Tuesday night at 8. Watercolours, paper and brushes are provided so all you have to bring yourself and your imagination!

Do you like going to the movies, but don’t feel like spending 1500 ISK on a ticket, plus a fortune on snacks? Fret not, because not only does Stúdentakjallarinn host regular Sunday movie nights, they also provide free popcorn. You can also attend one of their concerts or the monthly Cellar Jazz, where the bar turns into a jazz club and you can sit back and let the smooth jazz nourish your soul.

Speaking of your soul, there are a lot of places in the city where you can practice yoga, but it’s not always cheap. If you’re not too hungover on Sunday mornings, move your ass and your yoga mat over to Loft Hostel at 12 PM for their weekly Sunday Yoga sessions. The Embassy of India in Reykjavík also offers free yoga classes every day of the week. They have both morning and evening sessions for beginners and advanced yogis alike.

For families looking for things to do with their little ones, Andrými hosts Family Mornings Sundays from 10-13, offering fun activities for kids like drawing, singing, music, juggling and crafts. They have snacks for the kids, as well as tea and coffee for the parents. The Reykjavík City Library hosts family gatherings every Thursday from 10:30 to 11:30. It’s the perfect opportunity for your kids to play with other kids their age and for you to meet other parents.

For older kids and adults that are kids at heart, game shop Spilavinir hosts regular board game nights where you and your friends can go and play board games for free. Perfect for individuals or groups that want to play games with other like-minded people. Another thing you can do with your friends is attend one of Stúdentakjallarinn’s Pop Quizzes. There is no entry fee and the winning team gets free booze… so put your smarty pants on and get to work!

You don’t always have to spend a lot of money to have fun. Many of the places listed above host multiple budget friendly events and you can surely find other things too do as well. In any case, Facebook is your friend, whether it’s plants, DnD, dumpster diving, salsa dancing or romance novels, you’ll find a group or event for it.

All good things come for free