Nature-lovers have long flocked to Finland for its captivating, but it’s in Ruka-Kuusamo — Finland’s outdoor paradise in Lapland— where the real magic happens.
Immerse Yourself in the Beauty of the Arctic at the Polar Night Light Festival
The Polar Night Light Festival offers a spellbinding way to enjoy the majesty of Finnish Lapland. Forget everything you thought you knew about the aesthetic charms of a ski resort, because this event brings the natural beauty of the Arctic to a whole new realm.
Between 9 January and 2 February 2026, the festival will bathe the slopes of Ruka in magical lights, making skiing or snowboarding down them a dreamlike experience.
Lights in vibrant shades of blue, purple, pink and green illuminate trees drenched in snow, project realistic images of animals via light artworks, and make the landscape seem completely otherworldly.
Diehard skiers will rejoice at the fact that the slopes are open extra late – not to mention the icy cold keeps the powder snow in perfect condition.
As the world’s northernmost light installation, it’s a sight to behold. The spectacle is just as enjoyable for non-skiers too, with marked paths through the village offering ideal vantage points. Gondola rides are always popular for soaring views of the slopes flooded with colour.
And if the lights don’t offer enough photo opportunities, you can even snap yourself feeding reindeer. Best of all, the festival is free to attend – a winter experience like no other.
Dance the Night Away at the Solstice Festival
Equally stunning in appearance, but different in style, the Solstice Festival is another must-visit event in the region. Sitting on top of Rukatunturi — an Arctic fell rising 1,640 ft above sea level — this achingly cool gathering takes place in June 2026, welcoming music, art and nature-lovers for a uniquely sunny experience.
As you may have guessed from its name, the festival takes place during the longest day of the year. Unlike the Polar Night Light Festival, where long nights are illuminated, at Solstice the sun doesn’t set, even well into the early morning hours – perfect for party animals who don’t want the fun to stop.
Those with energy to spare can join active pursuits like reindeer yoga, mountain biking, hiking and trail running. One of Finland’s longest zip-lines lets you soar over Ruka fell with a bird’s-eye view of the scenery, while the surrounding waters offer canoeing, rafting, paddling and swimming.
When it’s time to relax, multiple saunas provide the perfect way to decompress – this is Finland, after all.
Music-lovers gravitate to three different stages, each with its own sound and vibe. Between thrilling DJ sets and international talent, there’s also space to simply sit on the hilltop and admire vast panoramas over pine forests and serene lakes. Art installations celebrating the relationship between light and life elevate the atmosphere even further.
The Magic of Ruka-Kuusamo Year-Round
While a visit to Ruka-Kuusamo at any time of year is always enjoyable, timing your trip to one or both of these magical festivals is a must. Nature-lovers have long flocked to Finland, but in Ruka-Kuusamo — Lapland’s outdoor paradise — the real magic happens.
Here, light transforms with the seasons. During the polar night, the land is cloaked in deep twilight, with moonlight and stars shimmering over snowy forests. In spring, golden rays stretch longer each day, painting the fells with warmth. Then comes the Midnight Sun in summer, a surreal glow that never sets. In Lapland, light has its own rhythm – and its own story.
Outdoor enthusiasts will find endless activities: skiing, ice-karting, husky safaris and snowmobiling in winter, hiking, horse-riding, golf and cycling in summer. In Oulanka National Park, breathtaking trails reveal reindeer, bears, moose and wolves in their natural habitat.
New adventures keep arriving, too – Finland’s first alpine coaster, Ruka Coaster, opened this year.
But some of the most magical ways to connect with Lapland’s culture and nature are its festivals. Imagine night skiing between trees illuminated with neon light installations, or dancing at a music festival where the sun never sets.
Ruka-Kuusamo’s festivals create unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime memories for even the most seasoned travellers.
Whether through lights or music, both the Polar Night Light Festival and the Solstice Festival provide guests with an immersive introduction to the joys of the region, set in the most magical of natural surroundings.