European culture has chosen the 'gateway to Lapland', it's worth a visit 0 17

In the city of Oulu, a year-round program of events takes place, with a special focus on Sámi culture and climate change issues.

After the opening festival last weekend, Oulu in Finland became the new European Capital of Culture for 2026.

It succeeded Nova Gorica in Slovenia and Gorizia in Italy (the first cross-border European Capital of Culture), as well as Chemnitz in Germany; these cities held the title last year. The Finnish city will present a year-long program of events.

Planning a trip? Here’s everything you need to know about Oulu 2026.

Oulu 2026 will focus on the theme of climate change, both cultural (helping to strengthen the city’s creative industries for years to come) and literal.

The latter will come to the forefront in June with the launch of the Climate Clock art route, which will feature seven site-specific works commissioned from Finnish and international artists. Among them is Rana Begum's work No.1574 Stone, featuring five stone sculptures inspired by glaciers and sea ice, and Takahiro Iwasaki’s "Architectural Snowflakes: Letters from Heaven," consisting of hundreds of delicate symmetrical snowflakes reminiscent of the architecture of the local church.

Utilizing Oulu's location in northern Finland, the program also invites visitors to enjoy the country’s famous seasonal extremes. Oulu is a large city by local standards, with over 200,000 residents, often referred to as the "gateway to Lapland." Located on the shores of the Gulf of Bothnia, it combines Arctic nature, cultural events, and high technology. The city is just 160 km south of the Arctic Circle. It is a convenient point for traveling to Lapland, offering winter activities, snowy landscapes, and proximity to nature.

In mid-February, at the Nallikari SnowFest, ten teams will compete under the theme "By the Sea – Meren äärellä," having just three days to create their snow sculptures.

Shortly after, Nallikari in Oulu will host Frozen People, an electronic music festival held on the frozen sea.

As the days begin to shorten again, the Lumo Art & Tech Festival will take place in November, offering ten days of digital works and events.

Throughout the year, guests will be able to experience unique local flavors and try them at the Arctic Food Lab, during events such as Sense Fest and Arctic Tasting.

Sámi culture in the spotlight

The Sámi, an indigenous people traditionally living in northern Finland, Sweden, Norway, and parts of Russia, will also have the opportunity to share their story with visitors.

Through the opera Ovllá, Sámi playwright Siri Broch Johansen brings the story of the oppression of the people to the stage. Many have lost touch with their traditional culture due to forced assimilation policies, and the play addresses this issue through a fictional narrative inspired by real stories.

The Oulu Art Museum will also transform for the first Sápmi Triennale, which will run until May; the traveling exhibition will showcase both contemporary Sámi art and duodji, traditional Sámi crafts.

What is the European Capital of Culture program?

Since its launch in 1985, over 60 cities have held the title of European Capital of Culture.

The initiative aims to highlight the richness and diversity of cultures in Europe, and the cities selected for participation find themselves on the cultural map of the continent.

The number of European Capitals of Culture changes from year to year, and there have been times when nine cities held the title simultaneously. In 2026, there are two: Oulu and Trenčín in Slovakia. The program of events and exhibitions in Trenčín will start in February.