Although this is one of the darkest times of year in Finland, Helsinki lights up from January 4–8 for Lux Helsinki, a citywide celebration of light and art. The festival showcases a curated series of luminous installations by Finnish and international artists across 12 locations, transforming public spaces into vibrant, mood-lifting displays.
Highlights include Spanish designer Agatha Ruiz de la Prada’s Corazón — a large, pulsating heart that shifts through a spectrum of colors — installed at Senate Square. Finnish artist Jari Haanperä presents FYR, a lighthouse-like sculpture composed of more than 200 light bulbs and storm lanterns. German artist Philipp Artus brings Snailtrail, an elegant laser-light piece, while the festival’s centerpiece this year is Urban Flipper by CT Light from France, which turns the façade of the New Student House into a giant interactive pinball game.
Installations are placed in a variety of urban settings: the shore of Töölönlahti Bay, Helsinki Music Centre, Senate Square, the National Opera Amphitheatre, Hesperia Park, the Cable Factory, and along central tram tracks. Most works are on display from 5–10 p.m., though some are illuminated from sunset to sunrise. The program also includes guided walking tours in several languages, specially curated Lux Helsinki menus available at select restaurants, and two daily performances by Fire Circus Walkea at 6:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Lux Helsinki is free to attend, making it an accessible way for residents and visitors to experience creative light art in the city’s public spaces. The event’s mix of playful, contemplative and large-scale installations offers something for everyone, whether you enjoy interactive pieces, architectural projections, or intimate luminous sculptures.
This annual festival not only brightens the dark winter days but also highlights Helsinki’s cultural scene and public spaces, encouraging exploration of different neighborhoods at a relaxed evening pace. Dress warmly, plan a route around the highlighted locations, and allow time to stop and enjoy food and drink at local cafés and restaurants participating in the festival experience.
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