Kouvola's winter illumination program is now active across the city. The seasonal lights began appearing gradually throughout this week in different urban areas. Installation crews have been working to brighten the dark Nordic winter with festive lighting displays.
In Kouvola's city center, seasonal lights now shine along Kouvolankatu street, at the travel center station square, and in Central Park's oak tree. The walking street in Mansikki district features bench and pole lighting that will shift to Christmas colors during the city's Christmas opening event on Saturday, November 22.
The city hall's Christmas tree lighting will also debut during the municipal Christmas opening ceremony. Natural spruce trees decorated with lights will bring cheer to traffic circles in Kuusankoski, Voikkaa, and Myllykoski. These illuminations activate during the Christmas opening celebrations.
Christmas tree lights will remain illuminated until St. Knut's Day on January 13. The broader seasonal lighting program continues through the end of February. This extended lighting period helps combat the psychological effects of Finland's dark winters when daylight hours shrink dramatically.
Elimäki district receives completely new seasonal lighting this year along Vanhamaantie road. Previous Christmas lights in the area had become fragile and deteriorated. Last winter, Elimäki had no municipal seasonal lighting at all due to the worn-out equipment. The new installation represents a significant improvement for local residents.
Myllykoski's Kenraalintie street will feature more seasonal lights than recent years. The city reduced lighting in 2022 for energy conservation reasons. During recent winters, only one-third of installed lights were activated. The restoration of fuller lighting reflects adjusted energy policies and community demand for winter cheer.
Snowflake-themed lights appear this year on poles at Kuusankoski's market square and along Valkeala's Kustaa III Road. Kuusankoski Bridge features sail lighting that the city received as a donation last autumn.
The technical board decided last October that the city will plan new permanent seasonal lighting for Kuusankoski center. Installation preparations target completion during 2026. This lighting may be positioned around Kuusaa Bridge and Shore Park areas.
Beyond traditional seasonal lights, Kuusankoski will illuminate a concrete pillar in Shore Park. The city's approach combines traditional Christmas elements with modern architectural lighting.
Finland's municipal lighting traditions serve practical and psychological purposes during the dark winter months. The investments in seasonal lighting reflect broader Nordic approaches to winter livability. Municipalities across Finland typically budget for seasonal lighting as part of urban maintenance and community wellbeing programs.
The lighting locations include multiple key areas: travel center station square, trees along Kouvolankatu street, two park trees, city hall Christmas tree, Kuusaantie road, Kuusankoski Bridge, market square poles and trees, traffic circle spruce trees, Kustaa III Road poles, Vanhamaantie Christmas tree outside OP office, spruce tree between shopping center and ST1 station, main road poles and traffic circle, and Jaalantie street median trees.
International readers might find Finland's extended lighting period noteworthy. The lights serve both decorative and functional purposes, improving safety and mood during the darkest time of year. Nordic countries prioritize winter illumination as part of their strategy against seasonal affective disorder and to maintain vibrant public spaces despite challenging weather conditions.