Experiences
Torne Valley is a place where the village tradition is still going strong, where people are helpful, and the community is coming together for events and celebrations. The tourism is also growing in the area, making it easier to find both classic and unique Arctic experiences.
Visit Pajala and Destination Övertorneå
Pajala and Övertorneå each have their local official destination guides, which you can read below. You can find information about activities, points of interest, and accommodation. Perfect inspiration for your own exploration of the area and great for your future visitors.
Thanks to volunteers and local enthusiasts, you can cruise in a classic car under the midnight sun, dance, compete on cross-country skis, experience a cultural night festival, and much more. Below you can read about our annual events.
We do it twice
Celebrate New Year's Eve – twice! On the frozen Torne River, the borderland between Sweden and Finland, the neighbouring villages Juoksengi and Juoksenki in their respective countries come together to celebrate New Year's Eve. Since Finland is in a different time zone, one hour ahead, the Finnish new year is celebrated first, and the Swedish follows an hour later. Enjoy live music, activities like curling, and have a drink at the ice bar.
Tornedalsloppet
Tornedalsloppet is one of the oldest long-distance ski races in Sweden and the only one where the start is situated north of the Arctic Circle and the finish line south of it. It takes place every year in March and you can choose between 45 km and 23 km. There is also a shorter race for young skiers or those who prefer a shorter distance, which is 11 km. The longer race has an elite class for women and men from the age of 21.
Paramotor meet
During spring-winter, paramotor enthusiasts from all over the world meet in Svanstein for 4 days of flying above the Arctic Circle. Even if you’re not a paramotor pilot yourself, you can enjoy the festival from the ground and meet interesting people around the campfire.
Norrskensfestivalen
The Northern Lights Festival or Norrskensfestivalen is a weekend filled with activities in Pajala. You can experience a winter market, live music, and a snowmobile exhibition. The festival takes place in early March every year. If you are lucky, you can witness the aurora in the evening.
Swim the Arctic Circle
Swim back in time, across the Arctic Circle, all while crossing a country border. Swim the Arctic Circle is an open water swim contest in Torne River, which is held in July every year. The night race happens under a golden midnight sun and you might reach the finish line the day before you started!
Market weeks
The first two weeks in July are the Market Weeks in Pajala and Övertorneå. It begins with Pajala marknad, which is one of Sweden’s oldest markets. The market weeks continue in the village Juoksengi with a family-oriented market, followed by a small and busy handicraft market in Hietaniemi/Hedenäset, and finishes with Matarengi marknad in central Övertorneå.
Tärendöveckan
Tärendöveckan is a week of happenings in the village Tärendö at the end of July. This is also where you'll find the world's second-largest bifurcation. You can participate in running competitions, check out the car boot sale, and buy homemade bread. There are plenty of activities for children and a summer café to enjoy.
Tornedalscupen
The Torne Valley cup or Tornedalscupen is a soccer championship where local teams and teams from other parts of Sweden and Finland can participate. It is a huge annual competition for all ages. Tornedalscupen has a elite class for active and established teams and a leisure class with mixed ages and experiences. You can watch or participate in the championship at the end of July in Pajala.
Kangos salmon festival
At the height of summer, the village Kangos invites you to take part in the salmon fishing festival. Aside from trying to catch a salmon in the wild river, you can enjoy food and a pub night with live music. Children can compete in an angling competition, and you can shop secondhand at the flea market.
Övertorneå Cruising
Cars, tattoos, and rock n’ roll. This popular cruising and motor meet brings the generations together over classic cars. Get a tattoo, have your kids check out the fire truck, and vote for your favorite car. In the evening you can watch the cruise through Övertorneå and listen to live music on the river bank.
Römppäviikko
Dance the week away in September! Römppäviikko is a long-standing dance event in Pajala and its villages. During the week, you can dance to live music, visit an autumn market and there are activities for children to experience.
European festival of the night
The European festival of the night is a unique cultural event that takes place in Korpilombolo in early December. The local community association hosts international authors, artists, and other cultural practitioners in the small village. You can learn more about minorities and minority languages, watch movies and a midwinter concert, discuss photography, enjoy theatre, and attend seminars.
