During Höstljus, local artists and community organizations light up the November darkness with light installations and artworks throughout Umeå city center.
Höstljus 2025 takes place from October 31 to November 23.
Höstljus 2025 takes place from October 31 to November 23.
Höstljus 2025
This Year´s Theme: Roots
Höstljus is back with vibrant light installations and thought-provoking light artworks.
This year’s theme is Roots, shedding light on Västerbotten’s history, heritage, and diverse expressions.
From coast to inland, forest to mountain, traditions, languages, and stories converge in the shaping of light.
On October 25 at 5 pm at Rådhustorget, the light festival begins with a fire show by Aurora Eldshow. After that, all of the 40 light installations in the center of Umeå are lit and the light walk is open and ready to be enjoyed. Don't miss that this year you can go on a literature walk in parallel with the light walk created by authors from Västerbotten who interpreted this year's edition of Höstljus. You can find it through the regional library's app Härlitt.
You can download the app here.
Höstljus run until November 15 and November 22 at at 5.30 pm, there will be thousands of lighted lanterns in Vänortsparken created by Umeå's school children.
Costume Parade
Before the grand opening, Visit Umeå invites all children to a colorful costume parade through the city center. Come dressed up—as a princess, knight, witch, superhero, or anything you like—and help spread light and joy in the autumn darkness.
The parade will take a short route from Renmarkstorget through the city center before we all gather at Rådhustorget to fill the square with lights and a festive atmosphere ahead of the Höstljus opening.
All children and families are welcome – participation is free!
Meeting point: Renmarkstorget, October 31 at 4:15 PM
Parade starts: 4:30 PM
Light Installations 2025
The light installations marked with a red pin are created by students from the Umeå Academy of Fine Arts at Umeå University, as well as by artists commissioned by the Museum and Art Department of Umeå Municipality.
The Timber Floater’s Everyday Life
Light artwork by artist Albin Borg.
“In my painting, I carry no personal memories of the timber floaters along the river, but in the evenings their presence emerges in the stories I’ve been told.”
The Rainbow Bridge
A color combination symbolizing diversity and tolerance on a bridge that connects Umeå’s northern and southern parts.
The Wishing Tree
A tree filled with wishes inside the linden grove in Broparken.
The Non-Spectral Cube
The greenhouse in Broparken.
Midwinter Wreath
Our bodies remember the summer light, a spell against darkness wraps itself around birches and this too shall pass, soon the light will return.
Light artwork by artist Ida Boman in Broparken.
The Fairytale Tree
Step into a magical world of light and listen to a story from the summers of childhood.
Light artwork by artists Caroline Långström and Emma Bergman in Broparken.
Glowing Bulb Garland in the Lindens
Smörasken, Västra Esplanaden.
Burning Sunset
Colors move like the pulsating rays of a sunset at Sparken.
Behind the Façade
Behind this façade lies more than powerful technology and advanced systems. Here are people—unique individuals who ensure that the residents of Umeå enjoy a smoothly functioning everyday life. With expertise, dedication, and creativity, they shape Umeå for you—and for generations to come.
Art Academy
Järnvägstorget – Rådhusesplanaden
Art Academy
Västra Esplanaden.
Art Academy
Under Tegsbron Bridge.
Stairway of Love
Hearts decorate the stairway linking Tegsbron and Strandgatan.
Traffic
Projected road signs for pedestrians and cyclists at Kungsgatan and Brogatan. Created by the traffic planners at Gator & Parker
Video Projection x2
1. I den varsamt lugna horisonten står vi inför historiens lagrade närhet i mitt arv (2024) - Peter Stridsberg
This work explores the forces of the sea and a personal landscape history along Scotland’s west coast, where the memory of shipwrecks is interwoven with body and time in motion.
2. Running up that hill - Alice Ryne
A video-loop about endless attempts and stubborn hope.
Tunnel Hearts
Hearts along the tunnel fence at Nygatstunneln.
Pink Reflections
Like reflections in the river, the lighting from nearby large buildings is mirrored in the promenade’s bollards.
Globes in Overflow
Light spheres over the pond in Rådhusparken.
Illuminated Promenade
Transitions from yellow to pink throughout Rådhusparken down to the river.
Quo vadis? Eurasian Curlew
Västerbotten’s provincial bird, the Eurasian Curlew, has landed in the fountain at Rådhusparken.
Bust of Gustav II Adolf
Over 400 years ago, on November 6, 1622, Sweden lost its then-king Gustav II Adolf—also the founder of Umeå—at the Battle of Lützen. The Gustav Adolf pastry was created to honor his memory.
I Heart Umeå
Lighting of the Umeå 2014 symbol at Rådhustorget. This square is the city’s heart, with the pedestrian streets as its vibrant pulse.
Meta-Metoo
In 2018, the #MeToo movement shone a spotlight on one of society’s darker sides. Umeå Scenteknik highlights this once again by illuminating Camilla Akraka’s #MeToo monument Listen at Rådhustorget.
Crystal Booth
Inside a dilapidated little shed, a royal hall in the style of the Palace of Versailles can be found. Light installation by artist Henrik Jonsson at Rådhustorget.
Starry Sky
The stars have never felt so close as they do along our very own Rådhusesplanaden.
Maple Glow
Red glowing spheres at Vänortsparken.
Courage to See
In Upab’s parking garage Järnvägsallén, you’ll encounter a calm light installation to drive, cycle, or walk through – a reminder that civil courage begins with three simple steps: See. Dare. Act.
November 22: Thousands of Lanterns
Children’s eyes sparkle like the countless stars above. Thousands of lanterns made by Umeå’s preschool children once again illuminate Vänortsparken—giving children a shared voice in the public space.