Saturday, March 29th marks the start of Östersund's first Cold Bath Festival – a celebration of the positive effects of cold baths and saunas on health and community. The festival, which is held in Surfbukten, offers a wide program of experiences, lectures and social activities.

Nordic Cold Bath Meetup – brings together Sweden's cold bath players
Tomorrow, Friday, March 28, the first Nordic Cold Bath Meetup will be held. This will bring together stakeholders from other cities in Sweden who run or develop businesses related to cold baths and sauna culture. The meeting will provide space for inspiration, exchange of experiences and new collaborations.

– We are very much looking forward to the first edition of the Nordic Cold Bath Meetup where we, together with a bunch of fantastic people from all over the country, will be able to exchange experiences and think new thoughts, says Jenny Sandström, chairwoman of the Storsjöns Kallbadhus association.

– Being able to create a festival together with many non-profits and committed companies and organizations in town feels awesome, concludes Fabienne Theiler, project manager for the festival.

– We see the Cold Bath Festival as an exciting start to something that could become a reason to travel in the future, says Mikael Jonsson, CEO of Destination Östersund. Health and well-being are increasingly important for visitors in general, and saunas and cold baths are a trend we have seen for a long time. In the long run, we hope for the cold bath house that is planned. It would benefit Östersund both as a reason to visit and contribute to developing the place for those of us who live here.

A packed festival program

7.00 Jogging around the mountain at a leisurely pace – from Surfbukten
8.00 Morning swim in Surf Bay
8.10 – 8.20 Meditation with David Helsing in Surfbukten's sauna (first come, first served)
8.30 – 11.00 Breakfast at Gomorron Östersund Tegelmagasinet with entertainment with parts of Näs spelmän
and inspirational lectures about cultural history, health benefits and cold baths as a reason to visit.
09.30 Inspirational lecture Hans Hägglund, Hot facts about the sauna
10.00 Inspirational lecture Mia Jansson & Anette Lindstrup – From morning swim to reason to travel
10.30 Inspirational lecture Veronica Hejdelind – Palaces for the people – about the unique Swedish cold bathhouses

11.00 – 17.00 The sauna village in Surfbukten is open
11.00 Come and try Woolpower dip
11.00-17.00 Open sauna tent with chill, warmth and joy –
11.30 -ish 10 best tips for ice baths with Wim Hof instructor Josh Roxendal
12.00-15.00 Zahida sells organic Aleppo soap
13.00 Aufguss with Niklas Daoson aka the "sauna king"“
14.00 Jämtland Hamam with foam bath – Malin Krook from Recreational
15.00 Time travel through Östersund's bathing culture with Simon Strömqvist