Illuminated Windows in Rydal

The giant Advent calendar lights up the windows of the factory building in December. The factory building in Rydal brightens the winter darkness throughout the month. One by one, the windows are lit 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 are lit one by one in December, like an Advent calendar. They can be viewed from outside after dark, and there is no charge. This festive atmosphere in Rydal begins on 29 November. The first window is lit, and various activities—including a visit from Santa, a Christmas market, Christmas crafts and Christmas refreshments—are offered by different local participants in Rydal. The idea of an Advent calendar was inspired by Saltaire in England, which has organised a Living Advent Calendar since 2006. The collaboration with Saltaire takes place in several ways: among other things, Rydals museum has a window installation in Saltaire, and Saltaire has one in Rydal. The collaboration also takes place digitally and on social media.

Times: The opening of Illuminated Windows is held on the first Sunday of Advent, 29 November, at 15:00. The first window is lit that day during the Christmas celebration in Rydal. From 2 December, a new window is lit every day at 15:00. 24 December is the final day on which a new window is lit, bringing the total to 24 illuminated windows. Once a window has been lit, it stays illuminated daily from 15:00 to 00:00 and from 05:00 to 09:00, through 6 January. Illuminated Windows in Rydal is not dependent on the museum’s opening hours. The windows are lit every day after dark, with only a few hours off during the night. Visitors view the windows from outside, and it is free.