Dark Season Blues - The Dark Season Festival in Svalbard

Head to Svalbard in October and experience Dark Season Blues - the world's northernmost blues festival.
The festival takes place at the time of year when the blues is at its best; the beginning of the dark season, during the blue hour.
The blues festival will be held for the twenty-second time in Longyearbyen from October 23 to 26, 2025.

About DSB
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Dark season blues

Dark Season Blues is an annual music festival in Longyearbyen, Svalbard, marking the beginning of the polar night. During the weekend closest to October 26th, the town is filled with warm blues rhythms from around 15 Norwegian and international bands. Concerts are held in intimate venues such as pubs, the historic Huset, Mine 3, and the church. The program includes blues lunches, three-course dinners, and children’s concerts. The festival is renowned for its unique atmosphere, where artists, audiences, and locals connect closely. Entirely run by volunteers, it has been environmentally certified since 2017. With music, northern lights, and magical Arctic nature, Dark Season Blues offers an unparalleled experience.
[Les mer om Mørketidsbluesen]

Svalbard archipelago

Svalbard is an Arctic archipelago located between Norway and the North Pole, known for its dramatic nature and unique location. The landscape is characterized by glaciers, mountains and endless tundra areas, with a rich wildlife including polar bears, walruses and reindeer. Longyearbyen, the archipelago’s largest settlement, is a charming small town with an international community and a vibrant cultural life. Svalbard experiences extreme light conditions, with midnight sun in summer and darkness in winter, often accompanied by spectacular northern lights. The archipelago attracts researchers, adventurers and tourists seeking a unique experience in the world’s northernmost populated areas, where wild nature and human adaptation go hand in hand.
[Lær mer om øygruppa Svalbard]

Travel destination

Svalbard is a unique travel destination for adventurous tourists, offering spectacular Arctic nature and unforgettable experiences. The archipelago boasts dramatic glaciers, majestic mountains, wild tundra, and rich wildlife, including polar bears, reindeer, and walruses. Longyearbyen, the largest settlement, features modern amenities, fascinating museums, and an international atmosphere. Visitors can experience the midnight sun in summer and the magical northern lights during the dark winter. Activities such as dog sledding, snowmobile safaris, kayaking, and hiking provide close encounters with nature. Svalbard is perfect for those seeking to explore raw, untouched wilderness combined with comfort and culture in one of the world’s most extreme regions.
[Les mer om destinasjonen]