A total solar eclipse will cross parts of Greenland, Iceland and Spain on 12 August 2026, plunging cities and towns along the path of totality into darkness for up to two minutes.
From Icelandic raves to Mallorcan boat trips, a range of events and packages are already taking shape for one of the most anticipated astronomical events in years.
The eclipse offers travellers a rare window to combine celestial spectacle with music, culture and adventure. Here is a guide to the main events planned and how to find the right viewing spot.
Björk hosts eclipse rave in Iceland
The most high-profile event on the eclipse calendar takes place in Víðistaðatún, Hafnarfjörður, just outside Reykjavík. Icelandic artist Björk will host a rave dubbed Echolalia to mark the occasion, performing alongside Arca, Ronja and Sideproject.
Totality at the venue will last around one minute and four seconds. Tickets include a pair of custom-made eclipse glasses, and attendees can also visit Björk’s exhibition at the National Gallery of Iceland after the event. Strand Hotel Apartments is one of the places that you can stay if you plan to visit.
Four-day festival on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula
The Snæfellsnes Peninsula in western Iceland will experience totality for around two minutes and seven seconds, making it one of the best locations to view the eclipse anywhere along its path. The fishing village of Hellissandur will host the Iceland Eclipse Festival from 11 to 15 August. You may stay at Hotel Vest Mar.
The programme includes DJ sets, live performances, and talks from scientists, astronauts and cosmologists. Organisers have billed the event as a historic occasion, noting it will be Iceland’s only total solar eclipse in the 21st century.
Five days of music in Vinuesa, Spain
The Iberia Eclipse festival will be held in Vinuesa, a location that sits close to the centre of the path of totality across Spain. Visitors there will experience darkness for one minute and 42 seconds, with totality beginning at 8:29 pm CEST, shortly before sunset.
The festival features four stages across five days, offering a mix of musical genres. When totality begins, the music will stop so attendees can take in the spectacle in silence.
Historic train, tram and boat package in Mallorca
The Sóller Railway in Mallorca is offering a special package combining a historic train ride, a tram journey and a boat trip out to sea for the eclipse. Guests board the train from either Palma or Son Sardinia, travel to Sóller, then take the tram down to the port before boarding the boat.
Totality from the water is expected to last around one minute and 40 seconds. The package offers one of the more unusual ways to watch the eclipse along the Spanish leg of the path.
Cruise options across the eclipse path
For those seeking an unobstructed view, several cruise ships are offering itineraries timed to coincide with the eclipse. National Eclipse, a website dedicated to upcoming eclipse information, lists options ranging from six to 43 days, covering routes through Iceland, Greenland and Spain.
How to plan your own viewing trip
Independent travellers have several tools available to help choose a viewing location. For Iceland, the Eclipse 2026 website maps where the eclipse will be visible and shows the duration of totality at each point. Tourism boards for the West Fjords, Reykjavík and Reykjanes have also published suggested viewing spots.
In Spain, the National Geographic Institute has created an online tool where visitors can check when totality will begin at their chosen location and track the position of the sun. Visit Palma is among the regional tourism bodies sharing eclipse visibility information.
Eye safety during the eclipse
Except during the brief period of totality, looking directly at the sun without proper eye protection carries a risk of serious eye damage. Solar viewers must comply with the ISO 12312-2 international standard.
For those unable to obtain certified glasses, NASA’s website offers a range of alternatives, including pinhole projectors and household items such as a colander, which can be used to project an image of the eclipse safely.
