It‘s no secret that it gets dark in Iceland in winter, but Icelanders don’t let the darkness get them down. The dark winter nights have their own special charm about them and celebrating those dark winter nights is what the Winter Lights Festival is all about.
The festival offers an array of sparkling events, where the many faces of Reykjavík culture come together. Art and industry, environment and history, sports and culture come together when all the major museums, the swimming pools, and a ski resort join forces and put on an amazing variety of events, all over the city.
Opening night is on February 2nd, and the Winter Lights Festival will be opened officially at 7:30pm by the Mayor of Reykjavík, Dagur B. Eggertsson. The opening piece is a light-art Installation at Hallgrímskirkja made by the artist Ingvar Björn. After the opening piece, a parade of illuminated horses will travel down Skólavörðustígur!
Regular features of the Winter lights festival, like Museum Night and Swimming pool Night, will have their place on the program, and like last year, the festival will end with a Snow Celebration at the Bláfjöll Ski Resort.
There will be plenty of exciting events, such as an Icelandic horse show at Austurvöllur, a playground of lights at Gerðuberg and the WOW Northern Lights Fun Run, which leaves from the Harpa concert hall!
Museum night
On Museum Night, the museums across the whole capital will open their doors to the public at 6 PM, and stay open till 11 PM.
Museum night is not only a chance to visit your favourite museum, free of charge, but most of the museums are also putting on special events and offer their visitors a chance to see, hear and even taste the museum in a different way.
Special Museums Night busses will transport guests between museums, free of charge, of course and this year, the National Film Archive will screen films in the bus!
See the programme and the Museum Night bus schedule at www.vetrarhatid.is
Swimming Pool Night
There aren’t many things that beat sitting in a geothermal hot tub underneath the stars feeling toasty warm. On Swimming Pool Night, nine of the largest pools in the Reykjavík capital area open their doors to visitors. Entrance is free of charge from 6 PM – 11 PM!
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During the evening, many of the swimming pools will host special events, creating a unique atmosphere, encouraging guests to take part, dance, sing, or just relax and enjoy the moment.
