Shining Windows in Rydal

The giant Advent calendar lights up the windows of the factory building in December. The factory building in Rydal glows in the winter darkness throughout December. One by one, the windows light up during Advent, creating a magical and atmospheric experience that attracts visitors from near and far. Rydals museum invites individuals, associations, businesses, public organisations, village associations and other organisations to design and decorate a window. The window installations light up one by one in December, like an Advent calendar. They can be viewed from outside after dark, and it is free.

The Christmas season in Rydal begins on 29 November. The first window is lit, and various activities, such as visits from Santa, a Christmas market, Christmas crafts and Christmas refreshments, are offered by the different participants in Rydal. The idea of an Advent calendar was inspired by Saltaire in England, which has organised a Living Advent Calendar since 2006. Rydals museum and Saltaire collaborate in several ways, including each having a window installation in the other’s town. They also collaborate digitally and on social media.

Times: On the first Sunday of Advent, 29 November, at 15:00, the opening of Shining Windows will be held. The first window is lit that day during the Christmas Season in Rydal event. From 2 December, a new window is lit each day at 15:00. 24 December is the last day a new window is lit, by which time a total of 24 windows will be shining. Once a window has been lit, it remains lit every day from 15:00 to 00:00 and from 05:00 to 09:00 until 6 January. Shining Windows in Rydal is not dependent on the museum’s opening hours. The windows shine every day after dark, and are switched off for only a few hours during the night. Visitors view the windows from outside, and it is free.