Candles flicker as a string quartet plays out Laufey's melodic lines—this is the signature image of this year's "A Very Laufey Day." The Icelandic-Chinese singer, known for her jazz-inflected voice and classical training, is curating this "perfect day" for fans for the fourth year running. This time, she's tackling a very specific challenge: getting Gen Z and Gen A—accustomed to streaming and short-form video—to walk into concert halls and museums.
The event is scheduled for Sunday, August 23, with this year's theme "A Celebration of the Arts," spanning music, film, dance, theater, and literature—all cultural forms that have shaped her personally. The officially announced lineup spans 25 countries and over 75 cities, featuring live performances, museum exhibitions, and fan meet-ups held at libraries, bookstores, cafes, and ice cream shops.
The biggest draw is a series of exclusive candlelight concerts across 10 cities, where audiences will hear Laufey's songs reimagined and performed by a string quartet. Additionally, "Night at the Symphony: Hollywood Bowl," the film documenting her Hollywood Bowl performance, will screen at the Grammy Museum's Clive Davis Theater and select AMC theaters across the U.S. Bookstore meet-ups will also feature limited-edition "A Very Laufey Day" merchandise and specialty drinks for sale.
Speaking to the Associated Press about her vision for the event, Laufey said, "This year we really wanted to focus on the arts and culture, and find ways to bridge the gap between my audience—mostly Gen Z and Gen A—and these so-called 'high culture experiences.'" She added, "Whether it's going to see an orchestral performance, a museum, or a gallery, we really wanted to find ways to connect with these institutions."
"Candlelight: A Very Laufey Day" concert venues include:
- Berlin – Französischer Dom
- Boston – Simons Theatre
- Chicago – The Congress Plaza Hotel & Convention Center
- London – The Great Hall – Barts North Wing
- Melbourne – The Athenaeum Theatre
- New York – New York Society for Ethical Culture
- Orlando – Orlando Museum of Art
- Paris – Maison de l'Océan
- Seoul – Jeongdong 1928 Art Center
- Washington D.C. – National City Christian Church
Laufey released her third album, "A Matter Of Time," in August 2025, earning a four-star review from NME, which called it "as gorgeous as its predecessors" but noted it carries "a shadow cast over its shine." Earlier this year, she released an extended edition with four additional tracks, collaborating with KATSEYE member Megan Skiendiel, "Heated Rivalry" actor Hudson Williams, "The Summer I Turned Pretty" star Lola Tung, and U.S. Olympic figure skating gold medalist Alysa Liu to reinterpret "Madwoman." Prior to this, she took over from Chappell Roan, Lady Gaga, Billie Eilish, and The Weeknd as the featured artist for Fortnite's music spin-off game "Festival," with several of her songs and cosmetic items added to the game, coinciding with the launch of her "A Matter Of Time" tour that year. The full list of 75 city events can be found on the official website.
