Frequently Asked Questions

Lux Helsinki 2025 will take place across the city. The largest collection of works will be displayed in the city center and Kaivopuisto areas, featuring 13 works. The light art exhibition Lux In and two artworks will be showcased at Cable Factory. Additionally, two Lux Helsinki works can be experienced at Kanneltalo, one at the Mall of Tripla shopping center, and one in Tapionpuisto, Espoo.

The artworks are open January 8–12, 2025, from 5 PM to 10 PM.
The Lux In exhibition is open January 8–12, 2025, from 3 PM to 10 PM.

Some of the works can also be experienced in the morning on January 9–10, 2025, from 7 AM to 9 AM. Discover the Lux Morning works here »

The event is free of charge.

Learn more about the artworks here:
luxhelsinki.fi »

Between the city center and Kaivopuisto, the best way to get around is on foot or by taking trams 2, 3, and 4. To reach the Cable Factory, the easiest way is by metro and bus 21.

Check detailed routes and timetables on the Journey Planner »

The artworks are accessible. However, weather conditions might affect how easy mobility is, although the areas where the works are located will be cleared of snow each day before the event starts if weather conditions require.

Safety is a priority for Lux Helsinki and the entire event has been planned with safety professionals and the authorities.

The Lux collections of artwork are spread out around the city and so will mean people can enjoy them at their own pace. Most of the works can be viewed from a wide area.

Particular attention will be given to the hygiene and cleaning of the public WC facilities.

In the event of any crowding, our event people will be on hand to guide movement in the area.

Lux Helsinki is an inclusive event and we require the entire staff, event partners, subcontractors and event visitors alike to commit to the principles of equality, fairness and non-discrimination. If you notice any activity indicative of discrimination, please report it immediately to the security stewards, who can intervene in the situation if required. 

The light festival has taken responsibility into account. Helsinki Events Foundation has been awarded an EcoCompass certificate and also the environmental impacts of Lux are assessed each year. We focus on keeping the environmental impact of energy, procurements, materials and logistics to a minimum. We also require our partners and subcontractors to be responsible.

We aim to minimise emissions from energy consumption at the event and choose 100% renewable, green energy wherever possible. The artworks in Lux Helsinki use energy-efficient LED technology and electricity consumption decreases when people leave their homes to come and see the artworks. During the festival, we switch off the lights in the festival area to reduce light pollution in the area and offset the energy used by the artworks themselves.

We avoid single-use procurements and aim to minimise the amount of mixed waste originating from the event. Our printed matter is 100% carbon neutral.

We aim for efficient logistics during the event and to reduce the environmental impacts with regard to mobility. We also encourage the public to use public transport, walk or cycle to move between the different artworks around the city. 

We don’t recommend bringing a dog with you because of the huge crowds. In crowded places, a pet may get under someone’s feet and flashes of light and loud sounds in some of the artworks might also scare the animal. However, if you do decide to take your pet with you on an evening walk, we recommend doing so when the artworks are likely to be less crowded.

You are allowed and we hope you will take photos of the festival and the artworks for your own, non-commercial use. You can share photos on social media using #luxhelsinki.

Drone photography is prohibited without the appropriate permit. Security stewards at the festival will intervene in the event of any unauthorised flying of drones in the area.

Lux Helsinki is not an exhibition but a light festival that brightens up the city. The important thing about Lux Helsinki is the festival-like, community atmosphere created by the people who fill the city centre. The current length of the festival means that we can acquire the present number of works each year, as, for example, a relatively small part of the budget is spent on guarding the works.

In 2025, Lux Helsinki and the City of Helsinki’s Urban Environment Division will begin a collaboration in which the City of Helsinki will annually acquire 1–2 light art installations to be placed in the city for an extended period for the enjoyment of residents.

The festival is usually visited by around half a million visitors.

Because the event is free and takes place in the city space, it is impossible to count the exact number of visitors. However, the number of festival visitors has been estimated using the same method since 2013 and is comparable to figures for international city events. Each evening, the security stewards estimate the viewer numbers at each work once an hour and the total number of visitors is based on this. The security stewards use hand counters to estimate visitor numbers.

The festival is organised and produced by Helsinki Events Foundation. Lux Helsinki’s artistic director is Juha Rouhikoski, whose curator team also includes Mia Kivinen, Anna Nykyri and Kirsi Pitkänen.