Winter in Oulu offers a unique blend of northern light, crisp fresh air and experiences that bring nature and culture together in the heart of the city. The winter season has its own rhythm — calm and unhurried, yet full of events, activities and atmosphere. Here are five reasons why winter in Oulu is worth experiencing.
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1. Winter in Oulu Is full of events for everyone
Winter doesn’t slow Oulu down. As the European Capital of Culture 2026, the city stays lively throughout the season with concerts, exhibitions and urban events — from morning to evening, even in the crisp northern winter air.
Highlights of Early 2026 in Oulu:
Oulu2026 Opening Festival
16–18 January 2026
The opening festival launches the European Capital of Culture year with a city-wide winter celebration open to everyone. Over one weekend, Oulu fills with concerts, art, movement and shared experiences across more than 20 venues, both indoors and outdoors. Most of the programme is free of charge, offering something for all ages from Friday to Sunday.
Opening of the Children’s Cultural Center Kotilo
16–18 January 2026
Oulu welcomes a new children’s cultural centre, Kotilo, opening on the 4th floor of Oulu City Library Saari. The opening programme includes exhibitions, music, workshops and play for the whole family. Kotilo is designed especially for children and families, providing a safe and inspiring space for creativity and imagination.
Nallikari Snow Fest 2026
11–15 February 2026
This international snow sculpture event transforms Nallikari into an open-air winter gallery. Artists from around the world carve impressive artworks from snow, and visitors can follow the creative process on site. The finished sculptures remain on display for as long as winter conditions allow.
Frozen People 2026
28 February – 1 March 2026
The winter festival of electronic music and northern art returns to Nallikari as part of the Capital of Culture year. Music, visual art and the surrounding winter landscape come together in a unique setting. The main event at Nallikari is free of charge and open to all ages, with official after-parties continuing at Cultural Centre Valve.
Exhibitions Open Throughout the Year
In addition to seasonal events, Oulu2026 offers several exhibitions that can be experienced all year round, making them easy to include in a winter visit at any time:
PLAY – Fotografiska Tallinn X Oulu2026 (14 Jan – 31 Dec 2026)
Layers of the Peace Machine (15 Jan – 31 Dec 2026)
Earworm – Media Art from Kiasma (15 Jan – 31 Dec 2026)
Pikigallery Exhibition Year 2026 (13 Jan 2026 – 30 Jan 2027), featuring a diverse year-round programme of paintings, sculptures and installations by local and national artists
2. Winter activities that keep you moving
Oulu is an active winter city, where the sea, snowy nature and an extensive network of trails create excellent opportunities for outdoor experiences right next to the city. Winter activities can be enjoyed independently or with a guide, with local operators such as Nallikari Safaris and Lappis offering equipment rentals and guided tours.
Fatbiking is an easy and popular way to explore Oulu in winter — along cycle paths, snowy forest trails and even on the frozen sea at Nallikari. For a slower pace, snowshoeing offers a peaceful way to experience winter nature, while ice fishing provides a quiet moment surrounded by a white coastal landscape. Guided ice fishing tours take visitors to the best fishing spots.
Animal encounters add a special touch to winter in Oulu. In Loihakka, visitors can enjoy a husky sled ride, while visits to local reindeer farms offer the chance to meet reindeer, learn about reindeer herding and, when snow conditions allow, try a reindeer sleigh ride. Experiences are offered by Jussila Reindeer Farm and Poropanuma, with transport-inclusive tours available through Tonttu Tärmön Paja.
On dark winter evenings, Oulu is also a great place for northern lights spotting. Aurora borealis can be seen along the city’s shores or further away from light pollution, and guided aurora tours are organised by Salamapaja, Majakka Outdoors and other local safari companies.
Traditional winter sports complete the experience. Oulu maintains up to 350 kilometres of groomed cross-country ski trails, several skating rinks and the Ruskotunturi Ski Centre. When conditions allow, ski tracks and skating routes are also opened on the frozen sea. Equipment is easy to access, with rentals available from local providers and free loans offered through the city’s sports equipment lending service.
3. Ice swimming and sauna experiences
Sauna is an essential part of everyday life in Oulu and a key element of the northern way of living. In winter, the city offers several opportunities to enjoy sauna and ice swimming close to water and right in the urban environment.
Located at Oulu Market Square, Torisauna brings an authentic Arctic sauna experience to the heart of the city from 3 October 2025 to 11 April 2026. Along rivers and waterfronts, experiences are complemented by Olosauna, Koivuranta Floating Sauna and the traditional Lainesauna, all offering the chance to combine sauna with a refreshing dip in icy water. Ice swimming is also possible at the open-air ice hole at Tuira Beach, or as part of guided experiences organised by Tonttu Tärmön Paja. In nearby Kempele, the Ouluntulli ice swimming saunas provide a self-service sauna experience available around the clock.
The communal and international spirit of winter swimming is highlighted in major events. On 26 February 2026, Polar Bear Pitching brings a unique startup event to Oulu, where entrepreneurs pitch their ideas from an ice hole — combining northern culture, bold thinking and innovation. From 2–8 March 2026, the Winter Swimming World Championships gather nearly 2,000 participants from over 40 countries to compete, experience and celebrate cold-water swimming together. The event area features an extensive sauna world, crowned by the world’s largest ice sauna, making it a truly unforgettable winter experience.
4. Taste the North with Arctic Food Lab
Oulu’s food culture is shaped by clean nature, the rhythm of the seasons and northern culinary traditions. Arctic Food Lab (AFL) brings the gastronomy of the Oulu2026 region into focus by connecting restaurants, producers and food professionals who celebrate local ingredients and food heritage born in Arctic conditions. Arctic Food Lab is both a mindset and a network, built around locality, sustainability and memorable food experiences.
One of Oulu’s best-known traditional dishes is rössypottu — a hearty local stew made with blood dumplings, pork, potatoes and root vegetables. This regional classic can be tasted, for example, at Kauppahalli Café and Sokeri-Jussi’s Inn. Northern flavours are also reflected in familiar specialities such as salmon soup and reindeer, which are an essential part of the region’s food heritage.
At Arctic Food Lab restaurants, northern ingredients are given fresh, modern interpretations. Participating venues include Bistro Hotel Lasaretti, Mallassauna, Oula Kitchen & Bar, Sokeri-Jussi’s Inn and Winebar Kurkela. Together, they present Oulu as a distinctive meeting place for northern food culture — rooted in tradition, yet open to new ideas.
Discover the restaurants of the Arctic Food Lab
5. Ready for an Adventure?
Winter in Oulu and its surrounding region offers adventures ranging from nearby nature to longer excursions. Close to the city centre, Hupisaaret and Hietasaari invite visitors to explore winter trails, campfire spots and the frozen sea, while the Nallikari Winter Village provides experiences for the whole family. The Botanical Garden offers a warm escape to the tropics, and the trails in Meri-Toppila and Kaakkuri are ideal for more active outdoor pursuits.
Beyond the city, destinations such as Koiteli Rapids, Sanginjoki and Pilpasuo await nature lovers, while the coastal landscape reaches its peak on Hailuoto Island. For those looking to travel further, Syöte is easily accessible, for example by ski bus.
For a longer journey, the Pohjola Route (Pohjolan rengastie) offers one of the best winter road trips in Finland. The route brings together sea, forests, rivers, wetlands, fells, cities and rural landscapes along one scenic loop — an easy way to combine Oulu and its surrounding regions into a memorable winter adventure.
Plan your winter adventure along the Pohjola Route