Oulu has gained significant international visibility, as the award-winning American travel media outlet AFAR has named the city one of its “Where to Go” destinations for 2026.
AFAR describes Oulu as a city where art, innovation, and northern nature come together in a unique way – and which will be particularly prominent as the European Capital of Culture in 2026. Located only about 160 kilometers from the Arctic Circle, Oulu will kick off its year as Capital of Culture in January with a three-day winter festival. The programme for the year includes more than 3,000 events, exhibitions, performances, and art projects.
Bold experiences and northern uniqueness
Oulu is known for its playful and bold event culture – AFAR mentions the Air Guitar World Championships as an example of the city’s unique character. Highlights of the Capital of Culture programme include:
- Frozen People – an electronic music festival on the sea ice
- Polar Bear Pitching – a startup competition in the Arctic sea
- Beyond the Sky – a concert combining astrophotography, orchestral music, and cosmic imagination
The program also prominently features Sámi culture, including the new Ovllá opera.
Arctic experiences and northern hospitality
AFAR also highlights Oulu’s food culture and accommodation options.
Oula Kitchen & Bar’s five-course surprise menu showcases Arctic flavours with northern ingredients such as reindeer, roe, and berries. In the summer, Arctic Food Lab’s Summer Evening Table brings people together around a long table that runs through the city center.
When it comes to accommodation, Lapland Hotels Oulu deserves a special mention: the hotel was renovated in May 2025 and will expand in January 2026 with 96 new rooms, some of which have their own sauna.
Read the full article: https://www.afar.com/magazine/the-best-places-to-travel-in-2026