The festival is an annual event in late October at 78 degrees north in Longyearbyen (Svalbard), and marks the beginning of the dark season when daylight and the sun is about to leave Svalbard for four long winter months. The first Dark Season Blues festival was arranged in 2003 and will celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2012. It started out as a small intimate festival, and proudly presented 15 bands spread on 17 events in 2010. The beginning of the dark season, with its blue light, is perfect for those blue notes and provides a unique atmosphere. The festival can offer four great days with local, Norwegian and international blues artists spread across most of Longyearbyen’s venues.