Winter Festival 2026

Winter Festival 2026 will be held from February 5th–8th and takes place across all six municipalities of the Capital Region.

This festival of light and darkness is built around three main pillars:

• Museum Night
• Pool Night
• Trail of Lights

Many artists take part in 150 events, creating a unique atmosphere across the Capital Region. Admission to all events is free.

Here in Hafnarfjörður, we will enjoy the Winter Festival at our three local institutions: the Library, the Local Heritage Museum, and Hafnarborg, with programs on Friday, February 6, from 18:00–22:00. Extended opening hours will be at Suðurbæjarlaug on Saturday, February 7th, and on Sunday, February 8th, Hafnarfjörður Church will be illuminated with beautiful colors. Families are encouraged to take a cozy drive and enjoy the colorful display between 18:00 and 22:00.

During the weekend, it’s also the last chance to enjoy the light installations at Hellisgerði.

Museum Night in Hafnarfjörður

The town’s museums are open to everyone on Museum Night, Friday, February 6, from 18:00–22:00, with free admission as always.

Hafnarborg

18:00
Blóm verða til – watch flowers being made
As part of the current exhibition by Eggert Pétursson, Doaa from Palestínublóm will create paper flowers in the space. The process focuses on sensitivity to color and form, similar to Eggert’s work, turning the smallest plants into dramatic landscapes. Visitors can observe the hand-made paper flowers taking shape in the exhibition.

19:00
Tónaflóð – sound healing with Vala Gestsdóttir
Composer, violist, and yoga instructor Vala Gestsdóttir leads a deeply relaxing session in Una Björg Magnúsdóttir’s site-specific installation. Guests are invited to a journey through calming tones that support energy flow, balance, presence, and inner peace. Comfortable clothing, a cushion, blanket, or eye mask is recommended.

Local Heritage Museum

Three buildings of the Local Heritage Museum, Pakkhús, Sívertsen House, and Beggubúð, will be open on Museum Night.

Library

Board games, sewing workshops, musical performances, and a record market:

18:15–19:45
Sewing workshop on the 2nd floor, suitable for younger children to explore sewing with provided materials.

19:30
Performance by the band LEA, featuring Katrín, Lára, and Ella. Their music blends indie pop and folk influences, with personal and poetic lyrics inspired by people around them and Icelandic nature.

20:10
Advanced sewing workshop led by Hugrún Óskar, tailoring master, exploring historical clothing crafts.

Visitors can explore about fifty museums and exhibitions across the Capital Region, with lively programming at local cultural institutions. Hafnarfjörður’s Library, Local Heritage Museum, and Hafnarborg will participate as usual. All events and museum entries are free.

“Með sól í hjarta” – Photography exhibition on LED billboard at Fjarðarkaup
Fókus, the photography club, will display images on the advertising board at Fjarðarkaup during Museum Night, February 6th. Photos will rotate hourly like a drive-in cinema.

Showings start at 18:00, 19:00, 20:00, 21:00, 22:00, and 23:00, lasting 15 minutes each.

Pool Night at Ásvallalaug and Suðurbæjarlaug
The town pools are open to everyone on Pool Night, Saturday, February 7, with free admission during peak times.

Ásvallalaug – free from 15:00–17:00

• Water balls in the big pool
• Inflatable animals alongside the swimming pool

Suðurbæjarlaug – evening opening & free from 18:00–22:00

• 19:00 – Music bingo – bingo and music combined!

Trail of Lights
Hafnarfjörður Church will be illuminated with light artworks for visitors to enjoy.