Tampere Festival of Light brightens the city from 24 October – Opening ceremony on 25 October

The Tampere Festival of Light will illuminate the city with beautiful light works and a variety of events from 24 October onwards. Check out the programme and come and admire Tampere’s light art.

The Festival of Light kicks off with the Window Walkabout event

From 24 to 26 October, 60 windows in the city centre will be decorated with surprising light works. You can find circus in the Winter Garden, skateboarding in a commercial building, shadow theatre in the Old City Hall and light art in the Electroturbine Hall. Around 40 of the art and light works will remain on display until 3 November. All works will be on display from 6 pm to 9 pm.

Opening ceremony on Friday 25 October

The opening ceremony of the Festival of Light will take over Koskipuisto park on Friday 25 October from 7-7.30 pm. Music will be provided by actor-musician Riku Nieminen and singer Suvi Teräsniska. The event will be hosted by Marika Vapaavuori. 

The evening will pay tribute to the late Tampere composer and musician Anssi Tikanmäki. Tikanmäki worked as a keyboardist, background and solo singer, arranger and producer in Juice Leskinen’s Grand Slam band. He also arranged music for many Finnish artists and bands.

The event will culminate in the Dancing Fountains performance, which will take place in Koskipuisto park from 25 October to 3 November. On 25 October, performances will be at 7 and 8 pm. From 26 October to 3 November, enjoy hourly shows at 6, 7, 8, and 9 pm, with an additional performance on Saturday, 2 November, at 9.30 pm. Each show lasts approximately 9-12 minutes, featuring music selected by public vote.

Illuminations around the city

As autumn darkens, the Festival of Light will offer spectacular light spheres and illuminations in different parts of Tampere from 24 October onwards. There will be familiar light spheres from previous years as well as new illuminations. 

The Light Gallery will once again delight in the city centre. This year, the Light Gallery features the works of Joel Slotte, Young Artist of the Year 2021. 

You can admire the illuminations from 24 October. All the illuminated sites can be found on the Festival of Light’s website. The Christmas illuminations will end on 5 January 2025, after which the other illuminations will be taken down. In the Light Gallery you can admire the works for a longer period, until 9 March 2025.