Polar Night Light Festival

Behind the light installation are Sun Effects, Rukakeskus, and the local tourism association, which brings stunning light art to delight people in the midst of the pitch-black season for the ninth time, from January 9 to February 2, 2026.

You can experience the light artworks best while skiing, snowboarding, from the gondola, or by walking through the village along marked paths. The lights are most visible early in the morning or later in the afternoon.

The event is free of charge, but a spectacular part of the event is located on the ski slopes—mostly the light artworks are situated at Kuru slope and Front slopes.
 

Video artworks for the 2026 festival will be published later. 

The festival offers programs and experiences for the whole family:

• Aurora Glow walking trail invites you on snowshoe hikes into the forest’s silence, where light art and the Northern Lights create a magical combination.
   
• At the top of Saarua, the scenic restaurant BASE Eat&Heat presents Aurora Glow–themed dishes, where northern flavors meet visual experiences.
   
• Light parade on the slopes are organized once a week – enjoy the festival illumination in a communal skiing parade.

The festival program will expand and be specified closer to the event.

Night skiing on Fridays

There’s nothing dark about it when you feel like hitting the slopes at night. At Ruka, you can ski under the glow of lights during night skiing on Fridays from 7 PM to 11 PM. Learn more about night skiing.

Snow racing in the slopes

You can enjoy snow racing on Ruka's slopes in the evenings from Thursday to Saturday from 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM after the slopes have closed to skiers. Read more about snow racing.

Feeding the Reindeer and Other Ruka slope activities

You can get up close and personal with Rudolph and his friends weekly in collaboration with the Ruka Ski School. Check out all the winter slope activities here.

Pond hockey at Kaltiolampi Lake

What would winter be without ice hockey? Come see what Europe’s largest yet most relaxed ice hockey tournament from January 15-17, 2026 looks like at Kaltiolampi Lake in vibrant lights.