LUCI Cities & Lighting Summit
Oulu
Practical Information
The LUCI Cities & Lighting Summit 2026 takes place in the City of Oulu, the capital of Northern Finland and a city that blends technological innovation with artistic soul.
Oulu is also a proud European Capital of Culture for 2026.
Venues
Participants will be welcomed at these locations:
Oulu Music Centre
The main conference sessions on Thursday and Friday will take place at Oulu Music Centre, located in the Karjasilla district right next to the centre of Oulu.
The Oulu Music Centre is an important cultural hub in northern Finland, hosting a wide range of artistic and cultural experiences conferences, as well as domestic and international conferences. It is home to the Oulu Sinfonia, Finland’s northernmost full-size symphony orchestra, and also houses the country’s only conservatory offering professional training in church music as well as classical and rhythmic music.
City Reception – Oulu City Hall
Recently reopened after a major renovation, Oulu City Hall offers a glimpse into the city’s rich civic and cultural heritage. Step inside one of Oulu’s most iconic landmarks — a beautifully restored neo-Renaissance gem from 1885, blending history, politics, and architecture.
Travel Advisory: Winter Conditions in Oulu
February in Oulu is beautiful but can be very cold. Typical temperatures range from –5°C to –20°C, with snow and icy conditions.
Please prepare accordingly:
- Bring warm winter clothing (coat, hat, gloves, scarf, thermal layers).
- Wear sturdy winter shoes with good grip – icy streets can be slippery.
- Allow extra time for walking between venues in snowy or icy weather.
- Weather may change quickly; check the local forecast before travelling.
Arriving prepared ensures you can fully enjoy both the programme and Oulu’s winter atmosphere.
Visit Oulu information page
The Oulu tourism office, Visit Oulu, provides a page with useful information on getting to and moving around the city.
Among its resources, you will find a practical public transportation route planner.
Take the train from another Finnish destination!
Travel comfortably and sustainably on Finland’s extensive VR train network. Oulu is easily accessible by both daytime and overnight sleeper trains from major cities like Helsinki, Tampere, Turku, and Rovaniemi. It’s the perfect opportunity to enjoy a scenic and relaxing journey through Finland.
Plan your train journey / visitfinland.com/en/travel-sustainably
Combine ferry and train travel from Sweden or Estonia!
Looking to take your time and reduce your footprint? Here’s an example:
- From Stockholm, take a ferry to Turku or Helsinki, then hop on a VR train to Oulu.
- From Tallinn, take a ferry to Helsinki, then continue by train.
These routes let you enjoy the journey and embrace a low-carbon way to travel. Plan your best combined journey here.
Flying directly to Oulu
Oulu is home to Finland’s second largest airport, with excellent domestic and international connections.
- Direct flights from Helsinki operate several times daily via Finnair.
- International connections are available with Finnair and Lufthansa, often via Helsinki or other European hubs.
The airport is just 20 minutes from the city centre.
Check out connections for Oulu Airport
Visiting Oulu
Want to discover and explore the City? Visit Oulu offers a dedicated visitor website to help you make the most of your trip.
- Extend your stay and attend the Frozen People Festival on Saturday 28 February, over Nallikari in Oulu
Frozen People is a winter festival of electronic music and northern art, held on the frozen sea. The event features a bold and eclectic programme of local and international artists, blending electronic, music light art, interactive installations, performances, and participatory acts. Frozen People offers brutal and unique arctic conditions for the world’s most chilling dances and art experiences. It’s an experience you don’t want to miss!The Festival is part of the Oulu2026 Capital of Culture program. - Discover the Loppula Nature House and Forest, Sanginjoki (Only 20min away from Oulu city centre by car).
Discover Oulu’s permanent light art!
While visiting the city, you can take advantage of our Light & Art Map to discover and visit the permanent light art installations in Oulu.
There are 15 locations available on Oulu’s Light & Art Map, and this amazing tool can help you easily find your way to them, while providing you with additional information about the installations you’ll visit.
Accommodation
Lapland Hotel
LUCI is pleased to partner with the Lapland Hotel for the Cities & Lighting Summit Oulu 2026.
Lapland Hotels Oulu is located in the heart of Oulu, next to the majestic cathedral and the lush Ainola Park, and under 10min walking distance from the Summit conference venues.
The stylishly decorated rooms reflect the stories of Lapland and the tranquillity of the north. You will enjoy the experience of Lapland in the middle of the city’s heartbeat.
- Sustainability commitments:
At Lapland Hotels, sustainability is a way of life — from protecting the fragile Arctic environment to caring deeply for guests, staff, and the local community. The hotel group is proud to be Ekokompassi-certified, committed to 100% green energy, responsible travel practices, and locally sourced products. With initiatives ranging from minimising food waste to promoting year-round employment and eco-conscious snowmobile safaris, Lapland Hotels leads the way in responsible tourism across northern Finland.
The hotel is located approximately a 10-minute walk from the railway station. It is also easy to reach by car.
Lapland Hotel – Oulu
Photo credits:
©Signify; ©City of Oulu