Nature wakes up and green begins to shine in the middle of the snow. After the snow melts, late spring progresses into summer with speed. The nightless night begins in mid-May and continues until late July. There are plenty of events with sports, music and various other leisure themes in the summer of northernmost Lapland.
Events for those looking for physical challenges
Summer in Kiilopää is full of events for different target groups. Family week will be held again in July. During the family week, it is possible to get acquainted with hiking, learn hiking skills and knowledge of Lapland’s nature.
The Kiilopää fell challenge week during midsummer week offers the opportunity to participate in hikes. There are two hikes to choose from: a seven-day tour of Lake Luirojärvi or a five-day tour of Tuiskukuru (gorge). Kiilopää also organises other additional activities and day trips during the fell challenge week.
During the trail running week at the end of July, it is possible to take part in guided runs in the fells or even train as a trail running instructor.
Kiilopää
The Kaldoaivi Ultra Trail event, the northernmost ultrarunning race in the world for trail runners and mountain bikers, will be held for the fifth time in the Kaldoaivi wilderness area in Utsjoki 26th to 27th July. The trails are unique and offer top-class nature experiences: wilderness fells, flowing waters and swamps.
Kaldoaivi Ultra Trail
Another change to challenge yourself is in 23th to 25th August when MTB Stages takes place in Saariselkä. It is a 3-day mountain bike event on the best trails of Urho Kekkonen national park and Hammastunturi wilderness area.
Saariselkä MTB
Arctic Trail Run is a trailrunning event 21st September in Urho Kekkonen National Park. You can choose a distance from 10 to 50 km depending on your goals.
Arctic Trail Run
This year is the 30th anniversary year of the Youth and Holiday Center Vasatokka. On September 7th there will be an open house event that culminates to the Wild Wasatokka Race which is a wilderness adventure competition for teams.
Wild Vasatokka Race
Inari weeks are held again between 19th to 28th July
There are events for whole family during the Inari weeks: exhibitions, various theme events and a market atmosphere.
Inari weeks culminates to watercross races in Arctic River Resort Näverniemi 26th to 27th July. Snowmobile races on water have been held in Ivalo for over 30 years. It is in the nature of the sport that from time to time sleds are also angled from the bottom of the river.
Inari Weeks
Jänkhälla Jytisee, Finland’s largest motorcycle event, will be held for the 25th time 15th to 18th August in Saariselkä. The event offers entertainment, music and fun for motorcyclists.
Jänkhällä JytiseeDiscover indigenous culture
Ohcejohka Šearrá, Utsjoen Lumo Culture Week, will be held in Utsjoki during the first week of July. The programme includes, for example, a Sámi poetry festival in Pulmankijärvi, a music festival day at Onnela in Utsjoki and a film festival in Karigasniemi.
Ijahis Idja is an indigenous music event that has been held in the village of Inari since 2004. The event is Finland’s only festival focusing on Sámi music, bringing together Sámi people living in different countries and regions. The event will be held this summer 16th to 17th August.
Ijahis IdjaThe gold history of Northern Lapland shows in the summer events
Tankavaara gold village arranges Midsummer gold panning competitions and Cold Mölkky -competitions 19th to 21st July. The Gold Panning Championships in Lapland are a great experience for a whole family.
Finnish Gold Panning Championships are held in Tankavaara 26th to 28th July. The rules of the competition are quite easy: the winner is the one who finds all the hidden gold nuggets the fastest.
Lemmenjoki river camping also arranges cold competition 20th July.
Tankavaara Gold Village