Festival site & accessibility

• The festival is held on top of a fell called Rukatunturi, 490m above sea level, and it is a part of Ruka Ski Resort. The area is rocky, at times challenging to traverse and has level changes. For this reason, all of it is not wheelchair accessible. If you wish to enter with a wheelchair, please let us know beforehand.

• A detailed map of Ruka Village and a lot of other information (in Finnish & English) about the surrounding areas and activities can be found here.

Arriving to Ruka

• When coming with the festival bus, you’ll arrive directly at your accommodation at MastonAitio, RukaVillage or RukaValley.

• The Aurinkorinne apartments are located 350m and RukaTonttu 500m from RukaVillage. For those coming with a car, you’ll find plenty of parking spots around the area, close to all accommodations. MastonAitio cabins have parking spots in front of the cabins. All parking info can be found here.

• Your apartment info and door code will be sent to you via text message. If you have not received any info when arriving, please call Ski-Inn Reception +358103825150 (24/7).
  
  

Getting around

• You can get around Ruka by foot. Distances can be rather long, the terrain can be advanced and the steepness may surprise you at times, but it's still the best way to get around. Just remember to reserve enough time.

• The Ski lifts help you get up (and down). All three day tickets include a ski lift ticket. Village Express takes you directly to the festival site, whilst the Village-2-Valley gondola transports you between RukaValley and RukaVillage.
  
  Ruka's taxi services are convenient for longer distances. Electric mountain bikes are also a handy and a fun way to move around the area. You can rent one from Ruka Bikes.

Drinks and food on site

• We offer high quality drinks from Finnish beer to natural wines and cocktails at the festival site. Bringing your own drinks or food to the festival site isn't allowed, but you can bring a non-deposit water bottle and small snacks.

• All canned drinks and bottles sold inside the festival area include a 1€ deposit which is refundable upon return. We strongly encourage you to return them.

• Food stalls at the festival site.
  
  

Restaurants

• From RukaVillage and RukaValley, you'll find plenty of restaurants offering a vast variety of dishes focusing on local cuisine and ingredients, and a lot of vegetarian and vegan options too. More info and a full list of restaurants in the Ruka area here.

Services

• ATM
  There is an ATM located in Ruka Village, at Kumpare shopping centre (outside), 1 km from the festival site. Accepted forms of payment on the festival site are cash, credit and bank cards.

• Pharmacy
  Ruka Info (at Shopping Centre Kumpare) has a Kuusamo Central Pharmacy service point where you can buy the most common self-care medicine and bandages.

• Grocery Stores
  In Ruka Village, the closest grocery shop, K Market, is in Shopping Centre Kumpare. More shopping opportunities are available at Rukan Portti, where you can find Sale Ruka and Alko.

Trash

• It’s very important that you leave no trace behind, meaning no cigarette butts, no glitter, no confetti, no packaging, no other trash, cans or bottles. We encourage everyone to pick up litter as they go. Pocket ashtrays are available at wristband exchange points. Please pick one up if you intend to smoke.
  
  All cans and bottles sold at the festival site have a 1€ deposit which you'll get back or can use at any of the bars.

Behaviour

• We have zero tolerance for harassment, disruptive, and generally unwanted behaviour. If you witness any, please report to security or a staff member. Take care of each other.

• There's a zero tolerance for illegal substances. Everyone is subject to a security check at the gate.

Awareness team

• The Solstice 2025 awareness team aims to ensure that all people at the festival feel as safe and comfortable as possible during the festival, free from harassment of any kind like unwanted touching, catcalling, stalking, weird staring, homophobia, transphobia, sexism, racism or any kind of discrimination, all of which are not tolerated at this festival. The Awareness team is there for you to talk to and in order to help if you experience or witness any of the aforementioned.

Clothing & gear

• Bring plenty of warm clothes and layers as Finnish summer weather can be unpredictable. It's highly recommended to bring with you a wind- and waterproof jacket and pants, as well as suitable shoes for challenging terrain.

Prohibited items

• Drinks of any kind

• Illicit substances

• Pets or other animals

• Umbrellas

• SLR cameras, Tripods, Selfie sticks, GoPro sticks and other camera sticks

• Deposit bottles

• Weapons of any kind, firearms, drugs/narcotics, alcohol and any other illegal items

• Aerosol sprays (hairspray, deodorant, paint etc.)

• Thermacell mosquito repellents (all normal non-aerosol mosquito sprays are okay - let's not kill our friends in the ecosystem)

• Any portable chairs

First aid

• There are two first aids is located next to the Peak entrance and near the lower Valley entrance (MastonAitio side). Emergency number is 112. Please contact staff if you witness a case of emergency.

Sustainability

• At Solstice Festival, sustainability is woven into every aspect of production, aiming for a net-negative carbon footprint by 2026. We are committed to a fully circular economy system in collaboration with Caracara Collective, prioritizing renewable energy, waste reduction, and resource-efficient practices.

• Renewable Energy: Our partnership with Ruka Resort ensures that all electricity is sourced from renewable energy, minimizing emissions from stage operations, lighting, and facilities.

• Circular Economy & Waste Management: We operate an ambitious circular economy program with Caracara Collective, transforming waste into reusable materials for future festivals. Plastic waste is repurposed into durable recycled materials used in structures and art installations. Our commitment extends to sourcing recycled components from Kuusamo’s waste stations, further reducing landfill impact and promoting material reuse.

• Sustainable Transportation: To minimize travel emissions, we prioritize shared transport options. Our shuttle buses from Helsinki and Oulu reduce the need for individual vehicles, accommodating nearly 400 attendees and staff. Electric vehicles are used for on-site logistics, artist transport, and operational needs, reinforcing our low-carbon mission.

• Eco-Friendly Food Choices: With a selection of vegetarian and vegan options, Solstice offers sustainable food for both attendees and staff. In 2023, vegan options accounted for over 70% of meals served, contributing to a lower carbon footprint. We collaborate with vendors who share our values, providing biodegradable packaging and minimizing single-use plastics with free water refill stations.

• Together with Caracara Collective and our engaged audience, Solstice aims at creating an eco-conscious festival experience.

What are the festival opening hours?

• The main festival runs on Thursday 16:00-02:00 and Fri-Sat 14:00-02:00. The Solstice After Hours run every night 02:00-06:00.

What is the age limit?

• 18 years. Identification required.

How do I get to Solstice 2024?

• Ruka Ski Resort is located in Kuusamo. The easiest way to get there is by bus or train and bus. We sell bus tickets from Helsinki to Ruka and back, as well as From Oulu to Ruka and back.

• The nearest airport is Kuusamo Airport. You can also fly to Oulu Airport and take a bus to Kuusamo. Bus tickets for Oulu-Kuusamo available at www.matkahuolto.fi.

Where can I book an accommodation?

• You can book a place to stay from Tiketti.

Where can I buy a ticket to the festival? Or the After Hours?

• You can buy tickets from Tiketti.

The accommodation ticket is for four nights but I can't stay that many / I want to stay longer.

• You can arrive later or leave earlier within the booking period. If you wish to extend your stay past four days, please contact [email protected]

Is there a camping site?

• There is no camping on the festival site or organised by the festival. However, the nearest tent camping possibilty can be found at Valtavaara. More information on that here. Should you decide to camp, be sure to pay extra attention on leaving no trace behind and being respectful to the land and the people around.

Is there fresh drinkable water on site?

• Yes inside the festival area. You can bring an empty bottle to fill it up. We also sell spring water bottles on site. Note: Tap water is fresh and drinkable in Finland.

Is there a guarded place to leave my belongings on the festival site?

• Yes. There will be a dedicated cloakroom at the Peak entrance.

Can I bring food?

• You can bring small snacks (nuts, cookies, bananas etc.)

Is there an ATM on site and what forms of payment are accepted?

• There is one located in Ruka Village, 1 km from the festival site. Accepted forms of payment on site are cash, credit and bank cards.

How do I move around Ruka and the festival site?

• Mainly by foot and ski lifts. The ski lift takes you easily from RukaVillage to the festival area and back. There’s a local cab service as well, which makes it easy to get around. Electric mountain bikes are also very handy in the area. You can rent them from Ruka Bikes.

Can I drive there?

• You can and there are parking spaces in Ruka Village and. Those staying at MastonAitio will have a parking space there. More info here.

Can I return or change my ticket?

• All tickets are non-refundable and unexchangeable unless the event is cancelled. Liputon is the official re-selling site.

Can I bring my medicine?

• Yes but please contact us beforehand at hello(at)solsticefestival.fi

Can I take photos or film at the festival?

• Yes, but keep in mind your fellow festival attendees. Don’t film other people without their permission and please don’t film or take photos on the dancefloors. Professional SLR cameras, selfie sticks, drones or tripods are forbidden.

Media accreditation?

• For press inquiries, please get in touch by 1st April at hello(at)solsticefestival.fi

Sustainability?

• Solstice aims for zero waste and minimal environmental impact, and is implementing its circular economy system in all aspects of its production. Solstice collaborates closely with Ruka Kuusamo’s sustainability program, as well as ‘The Most Sustainable European Capital of Culture’ program with Oulu.

• Solstice Festival adheres to green values and works in accordance to Ruka’s environmental plan to ensure a carbon neutral festival. All of the electricity used will be generated through wind and water power. Waste will be recycled back into energy and raw materials to be used in our art installations. Read more about Ruka’s environmental plan at www.ruka.fi/en/environment.