Illuminated Windows in Rydal

The giant Advent calendar lights up the windows of the factory building in December. The factory building in Rydal shines in the winter darkness throughout the month. One by one, the windows are lit during Advent, creating a magical and atmospheric experience that draws visitors from near and far. Rydals museum invites individuals, associations, businesses, public institutions, village groups and 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 it is free of charge.

This festive Christmas atmosphere in Rydal begins on 29 November. The first window is lit, and various participants in Rydal offer activities such as a visit from Santa, a Christmas market, Christmas crafts and Christmas refreshments. The inspiration for the Advent calendar comes from Saltaire in England, where a Living Advent Calendar has been organised since 2006. The collaboration with Saltaire takes several forms, including a window installation by Rydals museum in Saltaire and one by Saltarie in Rydal. The collaboration also takes place digitally and on social media.

Times: On the first Sunday of Advent, 29 November, at 15:00, the opening of Illuminated Windows will be held. The first window is lit that day during the Julstämning i Rydal event. From 2 December, a new window is lit every day at 15:00. 24 December is the last day a new window is lit; by then, a total of 24 windows will be illuminated. Once a window has been lit, it remains lit every day 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, and are switched off only for a few hours overnight. Visitors view the windows from outside, and admission is free.