Christmas in Lace Town Brings Light and Festive Cheer to Rauma – Opening on Saturday, 22 November
News
Rauma will once again be filled with an authentic Christmas atmosphere as Christmas in Lace Town takes over the city from 22 November 2025 to 6 January 2026. The event offers a rich variety of experiences, light art, events, and genuine Christmas spirit in the UNESCO World Heritage Site. On the opening day, 22 November, the Christmas lights will be switched on and Tammela’s Elf Village, a favorite among families with children, will open.
Light Art and the Magic of Elves on Opening Day
Christmas officially begins on Saturday, 22 November, when the Christmas lights are illuminated across Rauma. New highlights of Christmas in Lace Town include the lighting of trees along the Canal Waterfront and the heart-shaped light artwork Love me too by artist Antti Kulmala, located in front of the theatre. The artwork is part of the Lumen Light Art Event, organized in January by Rauma Energy, Osuuskauppa Keula, and the City of Rauma. Light and outdoor fun are also offered by the Central Park Ice Park, which opened in early 2025.
The Christmas Market and Tammela’s Elf Village bring with them a touch of Christmas magic and a joyful spirit of togetherness. The Christmas Market opens on Saturday, 29 November. Event Services Järjestys Oy produces the events in cooperation with Rakastunut Raumaan Association and the City of Rauma.
– The traditional and atmospheric open fire at the Market Square will continue, and this year Santa Claus will be moving around the square and Tammela’s Elf Village so often that some might even wonder whether Santa has moved to Rauma, says Kimmo Härkönen, CEO of Event Services Järjestys and lead producer of the Christmas Market.
Joulevangeeljum Musical Takes Over Old Rauma
Christmas in Lace Town culminates, for the time being, in the final performances of the Joulevangeeljum musical play in Old Rauma. The performance leads the audience from the Market Square to Fish Market Square, the ruins of the Church of the Holy Trinity, and the Church of the Holy Cross.
The free musical play, starting at the Market Square, can be seen on 19 December at 6:00 p.m., 20 December at 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., as well as on 18 December, when the dress rehearsal takes place starting at 5:00 p.m.
– Created by nearly 300 participants, this musical play is a powerful example of collaboration within Rauma’s cultural scene and truly worth experiencing. This year, the leading performers include Hannu Lepola from the band Rajattomat and opera singer Vilja-Maria Riutamaa, with narration by The Voice of Finland winner Kalle Virtanen and actor Eeva Semerdjiev” says Risto Kupari, Director of Museums and Culture for the City of Rauma.
Declaration of Christmas Peace in a New Location
The renovation of Rauma Town Hall brings changes to Christmas traditions. The Declaration of Christmas Peace will exceptionally be proclaimed from the stage at the Market Square on Christmas Eve at 11:50 a.m. The previous exception occurred in 1939, when the declaration was not read due to bombings. Rauma’s Declaration of Christmas Peace has long traditions: the text dates back to the late 17th century and is believed to be the oldest surviving written declaration of Christmas peace in Finland.
Read more: www.pitsikaupunginjoulu.fi