Two European Capitals of Culture in 2026

Oulu

Opening: 16–18 January 2026

Located in the Finnish region of North Ostrobothnia, Oulu built its cultural programme in collaboration with 39 other municipalities to celebrate inclusiveness and cooperation within the European cultural landscape. Oulu 2026 will involve hundreds of artists, creators, and culture professionals coming not only from the city and its surrounding region, but also from across Europe.

Cultural Climate Change

As illustrated by its motto, the city aims to foster a “Cultural Climate Change” to address current global challenges, including sustainable development, cultural diversity, and resilience. The city has the ambition to encourage audiences to rethink how culture is made, experienced, and shared.

Highlights of the programme

Oulu 2026 Opening Festival

From 16 to 18 January 2026, Oulu’s city centre will become a festival village, hosting art installations, music, theatre, performances, and exhibitions.

Climate Clock

Climate Clock is one of Oulu’s flagship 2026 productions, where art meets science and nature to raise awareness of environmental issues and their specific temporality. It will feature six permanent artworks located in different areas of the city, together with a new artwork co-created by artists and local communities.

Risku

Throughout the year, a range of events and activities will celebrate the traditions and culture of the Sámi people.

Layers in the Peace Machine

Inspired by Peace Machine by Timo Honkela, this interactive media installation combines technology and art to present peace as a dynamic process.

Find out more about Oulu 2026!

Trenčín

Opening: 13–15 February 2026

With a programme built around the theme of “Curiosity”, the Slovak city aims to inspire bridge-building between people, between past and future, and between imagination and reality.

Through curiosity, the programme seeks to reimagine public spaces, strengthen community relationships, and inspire creativity and innovation. The city of Trenčín, known for its historic castle, is positioned as a hub for cultural exchange and exploration, with the goal of fostering a vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable society.

Highlights of the programme

The Well of Love

Trenčín Castle will become a venue for contemporary art. The multimedia exhibition The Well of Love by Turkish artists, opening in February 2026, recalls the legend of Omar and Fatima.

Trenčín Literary Festival

The Literary Festival brings encounters with writers, along with theatre, music, and stories from Trenčín and across Europe.

Garage

In July, the European Capital of Culture hosts a summer festival of emerging music, featuring dozens of concerts and fresh Slovak musical talent.

Fiesta Festival

The cultural summer will culminate with the opening of the Fiesta Bridge, a new symbolic landmark in Trenčín. In September, the city will bring together both banks of the river and local communities around this new landmark through theatre, music, children’s activities, and sports events.

Find out more on Trenčín 2026!

The transformative effect of the European Capitals of Culture

Born in 1985 from an idea of the then Greek Minister of Culture, Melina Mercouri, the European Capitals of Culture have grown into one of the most ambitious cultural projects in Europe and one of the best known – and most appreciated – initiatives of the EU.

The European Capitals of Culture action offers cities a chance to celebrate cultural diversity, engage communities, create European connections, and promote local and regional development.

A recent EU evaluation confirmed its remarkable results, from boosting tourism and cultural activity to fostering social inclusion, international cooperation and a stronger sense of community across Europe.