Published 9 October 2026 · Totally Iceland News Team

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A Reykjavík landmark returns to the night sky

Yoko Ono’s Imagine Peace Tower on Viðey island is scheduled to light up at 8pm Iceland time on Friday 9 October 2026, the twentieth annual lighting ceremony since the artwork was unveiled in 2007. The illuminated column is dedicated to John Lennon and marks what would have been his birthday. For people visiting Reykjavík over the next two months, the more useful news is that the beam is expected to shine on subsequent evenings through 8 December, not just during the opening ceremony.

The tower is an outdoor artwork rather than a conventional building. Powerful searchlights rise from a circular wishing well inscribed with “IMAGINE PEACE” in 24 languages. On clear evenings the column can be visible from Reykjavík’s waterfront; seeing it up close means arranging a ferry to Viðey, an island in Faxaflói bay.

What is happening on 9 October?

Reykjavík City announced an evening programme on Viðey beginning at 5.30pm, with an art workshop, guided walks, music by Árný Margrét at 7.45pm and the ceremonial lighting at 8pm. The city advertised free special ferries and connecting buses for the 9 October ceremony, but advance ferry registration was required. Ferries were scheduled to depart Skarfabakki between 5.30pm and 7.30pm, with return crossings between 8.30pm and 10pm. Free buses were scheduled between Reykjavík City Hall and Skarfabakki. These are one-night arrangements: they must not be mistaken for the ordinary winter ferry timetable or a standing promise of free transport.

The city programme describes a scheduled ceremony, not a verified post-event account. Weather or operating conditions can affect ferry services, and this report does not independently confirm whether every announced sailing or performance took place. Travellers reading after 9 October should use the regular ferry operator’s current timetable rather than the ceremony timetable.

When can visitors see the light after opening night?

The official Imagine Peace Tower information lists 8pm to midnight from 10 to 31 October, followed by 7pm to midnight during November. Reykjavík’s visitor information says the annual illumination continues until 8 December, the anniversary of Lennon’s death. Exact operating times and special-day arrangements should be checked against the artwork’s official website before making a late-night journey.

You do not necessarily need to board a boat to enjoy the sight. The beam can often be viewed from open waterfront locations in Reykjavík when skies are clear enough. Cloud, rain and visibility will change how dramatic it looks. The island visit offers a closer encounter with the wishing well, coastal scenery and other artworks, but is a separate travel decision from simply watching the light from town.

How to reach Viðey without relying on an old timetable

Viðey is accessible by passenger ferry. Skarfabakki was the departure point for the free 9 October ceremony sailings, while ordinary and guided-tour departures can use different arrangements depending on season and operator. Elding advertises Imagine Peace Tower evening trips from Reykjavík’s Old Harbour on selected dates; check the operator’s actual departure point, fare, booking requirement and return service for your chosen night. Do not turn up at Skarfabakki expecting the 9 October free ferry on another date.

Allow time to reach the pier, cross the water and walk on the island after dark. Viðey is exposed to wind and rain, and paths may be uneven or slippery. Warm layers, a waterproof outer layer and sturdy footwear matter more than a dressy outfit. Elding advises that its island tour is not wheelchair-accessible; travellers with mobility requirements should ask the operator directly about any alternative arrangement rather than assuming step-free access.

Is it worth adding to a Reykjavík itinerary?

For visitors staying in Reykjavík during October or November, the light is an unusually distinctive after-dark sight with a strong connection to the city’s art scene. Watching from the mainland is a low-commitment option; a ferry outing needs more planning and depends on weather and availability. If your schedule is tight, check the forecast before deciding between a night on Viðey and another Reykjavík evening activity.

The tower is part of a broader Peace Week programme commemorating the historic 1986 Reykjavík summit. The city also lists free public access to Höfði on Saturday 10 October from 10am to 4pm, giving visitors another timely heritage stop. That opening is a separate event with its own arrangements; do not assume the building is normally open to walk-in visitors.

What to check before leaving

  • Lighting: use the official Imagine Peace Tower schedule for your exact date; the opening-night timetable is not the daily timetable.
  • Ferries: confirm the operator, pier, fare, booking and last return sailing. The free 9 October service was a special event.
  • Weather: check wind and sea conditions on the day. Ferry cancellations can occur even when the tower is lit.
  • Viewing choice: consider a mainland waterfront viewpoint if you prefer not to commit to a boat trip.
  • Accessibility: ask the ferry operator about vessel boarding and island paths before booking.

Sources and verification

This report was prepared on 9 October 2026 (Iceland local date) using Reykjavík City’s 5 October ceremony announcement and Peace Week programme, the artwork’s official lighting schedule, Reykjavík visitor information and the Elding operator’s published tour guidance. The 9 October programme is presented as scheduled, not independently confirmed as completed.

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