The new Dreamlight City event will transform Raahe Event House into a world of light and imagination from 2 to 4 October. Created as part of the Oulu2026, the event gives local children a particularly important role in bringing the artworks to life.
During the first weekend of October, the spaces of Raahe Event House (Tapahtumatalo Raahe) will be transformed into an immersive miniature world of light art. Installations will take over the second-floor Raahesali Hall and Fregatti hall, the Parkki cabinet and the Raahesali foyer gallery.
Many of the works are being created by local children and young people under the guidance of their teachers. Students from Raahe’s comprehensive schools, upper secondary school, Brahe Education Centre and Raahe Adult Education Centre are all contributing to the event. Raahe Youth Services has also organised art workshops during the summer, producing material for the event.
Each space opens the door to a different world
At Dreamlight City, visitors can wander from one dimly lit space to another and explore imaginative worlds created through light, sound and moving images. Each space has its own theme, brought to life through physical light installations, projections, video art and soundscapes. Some of the works will be interactive, inviting visitors to explore, touch and participate. Recycled materials will also be used wherever possible.
The Fregatti hall, normally used as the Raahe City Council chamber, will be transformed into a City of Wild Dreams, created in collaboration by students from Raahe Upper Secondary School and Brahe Education Centre. One of its centrepieces will be a playful “council of light”, complete with illuminated councillors. Dreams, ideas and wishes collected from young people will be brought before this imaginary council, while Brahe students will use them as inspiration for media art.
In Raahesali Hall, the colourful Children of Light will take centre stage. Light figures created at Raahe Adult Education Centre will be combined with digital imagery and soundscapes produced by Brahe Education Centre. Meanwhile, the Parkki cabinet will become a Wild Night City, created by pupils from Raahe’s comprehensive schools and featuring, among other things, illuminated flowers and imaginative light structures.
Like Raahe’s Oulu2026 programme as a whole, Dreamlight City has been developed through extensive local collaboration. Partners include the City of Raahe’s Cultural Services, Youth Services and Urban Development and Communications, Raahe Adult Education Centre, Raahe Upper Secondary School and comprehensive schools, Taikakuu – the city’s development group for arts and practical subjects in education – and Brahe Education Centre.
Dreamlight City is part of the official programme of Oulu2026, European Capital of Culture. The event is open to visitors of all ages and admission is free.
Dreamlight City – Light Art Event
2–4 October 2026
Raahe Event House (Tapahtumatalo Raahe), Kirkkokatu 28, Raahe
Opening hours:
Friday 2 October, 9 am–2 pm (especially for school and daycare groups)
Saturday 3 October, 4–10 pm
Sunday 4 October, 2–8 pm
Further information: raahe.fi/en/oulu2026
