The Reykholt Chamber Music Festival was founded in 1997 and is one of the most prestigious Icelandic summer music festivals. Pianist Steinunn Birna Ragnarsdóttir was the artistic director of the festival for the first 15 years. She was followed by violinist Auður Hafsteinsdóttir and from 2013 the artistic director has been cellist Sigurgeir Agnarsson.

The festival has always taken place during the last weekend in July, which is also the inauguration day of the Reykholt church built in 1997. Many esteemed artists have performed at the festival throughout the years, both Icelandic and artists visiting from abroad. The festival is well known for its innovative programming and artistic excellence and has commissioned new pieces from leading Icelandic composers including Þorkell Sigurbjörnsson, Hjálmar H. Ragnarsson, Hildigunnur Rúnarsdótttir, Þórður Magnússon and Hugi Guðmundsson.