Reykjavík Winter Lights Festival 2026

The Reykjavík Winter Lights Festival (Ljósanótt) takes place over a long weekend in early February and is one of the more unusual free city events in Europe. Rather than a single venue, it transforms the whole of central Reykjavík into an outdoor exhibition — light sculptures, illuminated buildings, and projected art installations fill the streets and harbourfront. The event was designed partly to draw visitors during the deep off-season, and it works: the city becomes noticeably busier than a typical February weekend.

What to see and do

The light installations rotate each year but typically span the area between the Harpa Concert Hall on the harbour and the streets around Hallgrímskirkja church. Walking the route takes around 1.5 to 2 hours if you stop at each installation. The festival maps (available in print at hotels and online closer to the event date) mark all the official pieces.

One of the most popular elements is Museum Night, which runs on one of the festival evenings and gives free admission to most of Reykjavík’s museums from around 6pm until midnight. The National Museum, the Reykjavík Art Museum, the Saga Museum, and many smaller venues participate. Queues at the most popular museums can be long — arrive early or prioritise smaller venues.

The other key offer is free admission to all of Reykjavík’s geothermal swimming pools (laugars) for the weekend. The main public pools — Sundhöll Reykjavíkur, Laugardalslaug, and several neighbourhood pools — are open to all without charge. This is one of the best ways to experience a genuine piece of local daily life. Pools open early (typically around 6am) and are much quieter before 10am.

Practical information

February in Reykjavík averages 0°C to -2°C, with short days (around 7 hours of daylight) and frequent wind. The light installations are best seen in the dark, so the evening hours from 6pm onwards are prime time. Dress warmly — thermal base layers, a windproof and waterproof outer jacket, and insulated boots are all worth wearing. The installations are spread across the city, so expect to spend time walking on potentially icy pavements.

Accommodation in Reykjavík is significantly cheaper in February than in summer. Booking a few weeks ahead is usually sufficient unless the festival weekend falls over a local holiday period. Flights from mainland Europe and the UK are well-served year-round by Icelandair and a handful of budget carriers.

Our February in Iceland guide covers weather, northern lights prospects, and what else is on around the country at that time of year. The Reykjavík city guide has accommodation and restaurant recommendations for the capital.