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In 2026, Oulu is European Capital of Culture. The region therefore hosts numerous cultural and artistic events. Combine the joy of culture with the beauty of nature and the thrill of chasing the Northern Lights at night. Join Thomas Kast, a multiple international award-winning photographer on these tours exploring his home turf, the region of Northern Ostrobothnia. He is currently working on the project Aurora Revelare, which will open in early October 2026 in the newly built Oulu Museum and Science Centre.

These one-week tours take place around the Oulu region, approximately 160 km south of the Arctic Circle. Together, we will attend selected culture events, some of which take place only during the specific tour dates. You can find more information about the events for each date below. In addition, we will visit various nature locations during daytime and at night we will – of course – head into the night to look for the magical northern lights.

Your hotel is located directly next to the center, making it easy for you to attend cultural events that interest you.

The group size is limited to a maximum of six participants, just as in all other tours.

As always and everywhere, the weather is an unknown. The program and its order might change depending on the weather conditions.

Here you will find a selection of cultural events during the tour dates. You can also browse the event calendar Oulu2026 directly.

Further down you will find galleries for both August and November with photos taken around the Oulu region.

24 – 31 Aug 2026

Aurora Revelare is a project about northern lights, which began in 2019. It combines science with culture, stories, and experiences. The project consists of two parts. First, there is an immersive show in the Experience space VISIO. There, images and videos are projected onto a 16-meter-wide and 9-meter-high wall as well as onto the floor. The show is divided in three parts: space, story, aurora. It creates a unique experience for all visitors, giving them the feeling of being inside the scenes. Second, visitors can explore a comprehensive exhibition in the newly opened Oulu Museum and Science Centre (opening early October), featuring interactive stations covering over 300 square meters, all about the Northern Lights and their origin. Thomas Kast is the curator of Aurora Revelare, working intensively on the project with others. He also captures nearly all of the northern lights photos and videos used, spending countless nights in nature.

A few weeks before the opening of the new Oulu Museum and Science Centre, we will get an idea of ​​the project’s progress.

Air guitar World Championship – 30th Air Guitar World Champion, what a blast!

Delta Life – Outdoor Event with musical artists around the birthplace of Oulu

Sanginkontu art trail – A trail in the forests of Sanginjoki with pieces of art from several artists

PLAY – Fotografiska Tallinn X Oulu2026 – Photography exhibition inspired by the theme of cultural climate change

Climate Clock – Artworks near and in different towns around the Oulu region Oulu, combining science and nature

02 – 09 Nov 2026

Aurora Revelare is a project about northern lights, which began in 2019. It combines science with culture, stories, and experiences. The project consists of two parts. First, there is an immersive show in the Experience space VISIO. There, images and videos are projected onto a 16-meter-wide and 9-meter-high wall as well as onto the floor. The show is divided in three parts: space, story, aurora. It creates a unique experience for all visitors, giving them the feeling of being inside the scenes. Second, visitors can explore a comprehensive exhibition in the newly opened Oulu Museum and Science Centre (opening early October), featuring interactive stations covering over 300 square meters, all about the Northern Lights and their origin. Thomas Kast is the curator of Aurora Revelare, working intensively on the project with others. He also captures nearly all of the northern lights photos and videos used, spending countless nights in nature.

meänPiot – Light festival in Tornio, about 130 km north of Oulu

Hepoköngäs festive lighting – Lighting up Finland’s highest natural waterfall, about 140 km east of Oulu

Sanginkontu art trail – A trail in the forests of Sanginjoki with pieces of art from several artists

PLAY – Fotografiska Tallinn X Oulu2026 – Photography exhibition inspired by the theme of cultural climate change

Climate Clock – Artworks near and in different towns around the Oulu region Oulu, combining science and nature

16 – 23 Nov 2026

Aurora Revelare is a project about northern lights, which began in 2019. It combines science with culture, stories, and experiences. The project consists of two parts. First, there is an immersive show in the Experience space VISIO. There, images and videos are projected onto a 16-meter-wide and 9-meter-high wall as well as onto the floor. The show is divided in three parts: space, story, aurora. It creates a unique experience for all visitors, giving them the feeling of being inside the scenes. Second, visitors can explore a comprehensive exhibition in the newly opened Oulu Museum and Science Centre (opening early October), featuring interactive stations covering over 300 square meters, all about the Northern Lights and their origin. Thomas Kast is the curator of Aurora Revelare, working intensively on the project with others. He also captures nearly all of the northern lights photos and videos used, spending countless nights in nature.

Lumo light festival –  Light installations around the center of Oulu

Beyond the sky – Concert of the symphony orchestra Oulu combined with deep space photos and animations

Sanginkontu art trail – A trail in the forests of Sanginjoki with pieces of art from several artists

PLAY – Fotografiska Tallinn X Oulu2026 – Photography exhibition inspired by the theme of cultural climate change

Climate Clock – Artworks near and in different towns around the Oulu region Oulu, combining science and nature

23 – 30 Nov 2026

Aurora Revelare is a project about northern lights, which began in 2019. It combines science with culture, stories, and experiences. The project consists of two parts. First, there is an immersive show in the Experience space VISIO. There, images and videos are projected onto a 16-meter-wide and 9-meter-high wall as well as onto the floor. The show is divided in three parts: space, story, aurora. It creates a unique experience for all visitors, giving them the feeling of being inside the scenes. Second, visitors can explore a comprehensive exhibition in the newly opened Oulu Museum and Science Centre (opening early October), featuring interactive stations covering over 300 square meters, all about the Northern Lights and their origin. Thomas Kast is the curator of Aurora Revelare, working intensively on the project with others. He also captures nearly all of the northern lights photos and videos used, spending countless nights in nature.

Villages of lights – Light installations in the villages of Haapavesi, about 130 km south of Oulu

Sanginkontu art trail – A trail in the forests of Sanginjoki with pieces of art from several artists

PLAY – Fotografiska Tallinn X Oulu2026 – Photography exhibition inspired by the theme of cultural climate change

Climate Clock – Artworks near and in different towns around the Oulu region Oulu, combining science and nature

30 Nov – 07 Dec 2026

Aurora Revelare is a project about northern lights, which began in 2019. It combines science with culture, stories, and experiences. The project consists of two parts. First, there is an immersive show in the Experience space VISIO. There, images and videos are projected onto a 16-meter-wide and 9-meter-high wall as well as onto the floor. The show is divided in three parts: space, story, aurora. It creates a unique experience for all visitors, giving them the feeling of being inside the scenes. Second, visitors can explore a comprehensive exhibition in the newly opened Oulu Museum and Science Centre (opening early October), featuring interactive stations covering over 300 square meters, all about the Northern Lights and their origin. Thomas Kast is the curator of Aurora Revelare, working intensively on the project with others. He also captures nearly all of the northern lights photos and videos used, spending countless nights in nature.

Snowball musical – World premiere of the musical ‘Snowball’ with English and Swedish subtitles

Sanginkontu art trail – A trail in the forests of Sanginjoki with pieces of art from several artists

PLAY – Fotografiska Tallinn X Oulu2026 – Photography exhibition inspired by the theme of cultural climate change

Climate Clock – Artworks near and in different towns around the Oulu region Oulu, combining science and nature