The twenty-second Dark Season Blues will be held October 23-26, 2025.
Dark Season Blues is a unique and atmospheric music festival that takes place in Longyearbyen on Svalbard every October, just at the transition to the dark season. The festival marks the start of the long polar night, when the sun disappears below the horizon and leaves the archipelago in a magical blue twilight. This provides a very special setting for the festival, filling the Arctic town with warm tones and rhythms.
The festival brings together local, national and international blues artists who perform on intimate stages around Longyearbyen. Concerts are held in venues ranging from small pubs to the traditional Huset, and the close contact between artists and audience creates a unique atmosphere. It’s not uncommon to hear live music filled with soul while the Northern Lights dance in the sky outside.
Dark Season Blues is more than just music – it’s an opportunity to experience the distinctive Arctic nature and culture. Between concerts, you can take part in activities such as dog sledding, snowmobile tours and guided excursions in the spectacular Svalbard nature. The festival combines magical music experiences with the raw and unforgettable beauty of the Arctic.
If you love the blues and want an unforgettable cultural experience in one of the world’s most exotic settings, Dark Season Blues in Svalbard is a festival you won’t want to miss!
