It may be the darkest time of the year, but the Finnish capital glitters and glows from Jan. 4–8 while Lux Helsinki is underway. Mood brightening events feature a series of light installations created by Finnish and international artists at 12 separate locations, including Senate Square where Spanish designer Agatha Ruiz de la Prada’s work Corazón — a giant heart that beats in a multitude of beautiful hues — will be displayed. Other contributing artists for this year’s event are Jari Haanperä, whose work FYR is a lighthouse built from over 200 light bulbs and storm lanterns, Philipp Artus’s laser light Snailtrail, and this year’s centerpiece: Urban Flipper, created by CT Light from France, set to transform the New Student House’s façade into a colossal interactive pinball game.

Among the multiple urban venues are the shore of Töölönlahti Bay, Helsinki Music Centre, Senate Square, National Opera Amphitheatre, Hesperia Park, the Cable Factory and the city-center tram tracks. Most installations are on view from 5–10 p.m., with guided walking tours in a variety of languages (including English), specially themed Lux Helsinki menus in select area restaurants, and two daily performances of Fire Circus Walkea at 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Where noted, some installations will be displayed from sunset to sunrise. Admission is free.

You may also like:

Helsinki: Driven By Design

Helsinki Hot Spot