Culture and events

There are plenty of sports and cultural events in Longyearbyen. With its climbing wall, indoor shooting range, fitness centre, squash court and swimming pool with saunas, the sport hall serves as a gathering point for people of all ages. Lectures and talks on various topics are regularly organised. Many famous musicians and artists visit Svalbard during the year and there are many exhibitions, concerts and other spesical events. Among the regularly scheduled annual events are the following.  

Polarjazz
2-4 days at the beginning of  February with number of musical events featuring jazz, blues and bluegrass. Polarjazz 2010 is arranged in the period 3 - 7 February.

Sunfest Week
An entire week around 8 March to celebrate the sun's return, featuring ofr example exhibitions, concerts, a revue, as well as various outdoor events. 

Svalbard Skimaraton
Cross-county ski marathon held at the end of April-beginning of May. In 2010 the Ski Marathon is held on 24 April.

Spitsbergen Marathon
Marathon on foot held at the beginning of June. In 2010 the Marathon is held on 5 June.

Dark Season Blues Spitsbergen
Bluesfestival held 22-25 of October 2009 with musical events and concerts form the world of blues. 

Kunstpause Svalbard
A 3-5 days event with an emphasis on art and culture interacting with Nature's own works of art. The timing of the event coincides with the entry into the polar night periode 12-15 November.

Spitsbergen Rock