Peek into the Capital of Culture

Oulu Days is an urban festival with long-standing traditions – it has been organised since 1962. Oulu Days is a festival which welcomes everyone to arrange an event by offering it to be included in the Oulu Days programme. The festival takes place on the first weekend of September from Friday until Sunday. The concept of Oulu Days is to be a communal event entity in which a range of different communities creates the programme together. The organisers of Oulu Days events includes companies, associations, public sector operators and even private persons. The festival supports new urban culture without forgetting the long traditions.

On the sauna raft, you can enjoy the warmth of our spacious log sauna while watching the beautiful Oulujoki River through the window. When the stones of the sauna stove get too hot, you can plunge into the cool river and then chill out with your friends in our peaceful lounge.

While in the sauna, you get to enjoy the hot but soft air of our wood-fired sauna. At the sauna, you always have the opportunity to go swimming in the river (in the winter, we make a hole in the ice).

On the sauna raft, you also get to enjoy the warm fizz of our outdoor hot tub.

In the playroom called Leikkilä, children can experience what it felt like to be a child more than 100 years ago. Imagine yourself to the role of a market seller, fisher or the child of a merchant family.

The Northern Ostrobothnia Museum has opened a playroom of approximately 30 square meters decorated and furnished in the style of Oulu at the turn of the 19th and the 20th centuries. The exhibition is hands-on and action-based with numerous historical toys.

The exhibition is accompanied by a newspaper that showcases the topical concerns, talking points, travel destinations and – of course – toys of the day.

The playroom has been designed following the principles of sustainable development. Many recycled materials are used, and a number of favourite items from past exhibition have been brought back.

Oulu Days is an urban festival with long-standing traditions – it has been organised since 1962. Oulu Days is a festival which welcomes everyone to arrange an event by offering it to be included in the Oulu Days programme. The festival takes place on the first weekend of September from Friday until Sunday. The concept of Oulu Days is to be a communal event entity in which a range of different communities creates the programme together. The organisers of Oulu Days events includes companies, associations, public sector operators and even private persons. The festival supports new urban culture without forgetting the long traditions.

Enjoy early autumn and mornings in a local market hall and step up to Arctic Food Lab pop up to explore arctic food!

Pop up is open between 1st of August until 3rd of September in Oulun Kauppahalli.

There is info about Arctic Food Lab, local food, companies presented and food related theme days.

On Saturdays there is live music.

Come and leave your favourite recipe spiced with Arctic Food Lab touch! Three best recipes – with most fresh touch and best imagination – will published in Arctic Food Lab contents during autumn.

Traditional favourite recipes will be collected in Oulu2026 area aim to publish Arctic Food Lab recipe book before year 2026 – Oulu to be European capital of culture!

Arctic Food Lab – Northern Delicacies to the World
Northern Finland’s short but intensive summer ripens our local ingredients. Arctic Food Lab is one part of Oulu2026-culture programme that brings forth the ingredients that have grown under the Oulu2026 region’s Northern sky, and the uniqueness of traditional food born under arctic circumstances.

Arctic Food Lab brings together those operating in gastronomy and food culture in the Oulu region and celebrates Northern cuisine and gastronomy. You will recognize local tastes and experiences from this trademark.

www.arcticfoodlab.fi

Arctic Food Lab Pop up is a trial point, that is co-financed with Oulu Culture Foundation, Council of Oulu Region and City of Oulu.

Opening hours
From Monday to Friday 8-17 and Saturdays 8-16

See you at Oulun Kauppahalli on August!

Jumpru Patio Live! – club will start at Jumpru Pub Patio on Tuesday June 14th and there will be live music every week from Tuesday to Saturday from 9 pm to 10.30 pm.

The Jumpru X OMJ Jazzpatio club is always on our menu on Tuesdays, soulful and rhythmic Soul Kitchen club on Wednesdays and a Rytmipatio club will take turns on Thursdays with weekly changing themes. On Fridays and Saturdays everyone gets to sing when the popular Allsång På Jumpru club take its turn.

Clubs have an age limit of 20 and free admission.

Websites unfortunately only in Finnish at the moment!

Oulu Music Video Festival is a four-day spectacle of music and moving pictures that brings together young and youthful people, both music and film professionals, enthusiasts and consumers on the last warm evenings of the summer.

The Festival presents hundreds of music videos, movies, documentaries and special screenings. In addition, the authors of the videos express their own views from different perspectives in some of the screenings. The best Finnish music videos and video makers are rewarded at the prestigious Pumpeli Gala.

The festival organizes also live clubs and other music video related activities in local bars.

The artistic director of the festival is Anna-Mari Nousiainen. The event is produced by the Oulu Music Video Festivals Association.

Oulu Arts Night is a magical night full of culture!

Oulu Arts Night lets musicians, actors, dancers, writers, and artists take over the streets and parks and offer unique experiences for everyone. The festival lasts for only one night but the number of visitors takes up to 30 000!

The goal is to make arts and culture easy to reach and thus most of the events and performances are free of charge. Professionals and amateurs alike can bring their performances to the Arts Night.

Literary Art Festival Muusajuhlat (Muse Festival) is the most notable literary happening in Oulu area. The festival brings together poets, writers, musicians, and artists from all around Finland. The versatile programme offers something for literary enthusiasts of all ages.

The programme is mostly in Finnish but there are also events that include multiple art forms and are suitable for non-Finnish speakers.

The events take place in restaurants, libraries and nearby municipalities in Oulu. Most events are free of charge.

The nine poems or muses of antiquity have inspired humanity since ancient times. Now the muses are calling us to the world of reading and writing once again. The books delight, enchant and captivate. When reading them you can empathize, be charmed, reminisce, stray and linger – the books have all our stories and countless worlds.

The festival is produced by Huutomerkki ry.

Incredible performances, international love and big emotions – welcome to the airiest competition in the world!

The Air Guitar World Championships is a celebration of love and peace. Since 1996, the semi absurd performance art has grown into a favourite of international audiences and media, spreading its message around the world.

The year of air guitar culminates in August in Oulu, where national champions and black horses arrive to compete for the world championship title. The official Air Guitar World Championships network includes over 10 countries from almost all continents.

The AGWC Finals offers performances from the world’s best air guitarists and a magnificent show for old and new friends of air guitar. In the Black Horses Qualifying Round the night before, the prize is an instant place to the world finals. In addition to the contest events, Air Guitar World Championships offer air guitar-themed events for tourists.

The next Air Guitar World Championship competition takes place 23–25 August 2023. The Air Guitar World Championships are organized by Airnest Productions Oy.

Oulunsalo Soi is a versatile, intimate and high-class chamber music festival that brings great pieces, premieres and musical delights to the Oulu region. The festival’s concerts and events are surprising, touching, and sometimes a bit whimsical too.

Oulunsalo Soi presents both international and domestic top names and rising stars. The concerts invite you to more traditional concert halls as well as new venues.

The artistic director of the festival is pianist Mika Rännäli. The festival is produced by the Oulu Cultural Events Association.

Food experience in the Northern Finland is unique. Lean-to dining, authentic and cultural restaurants create the perfect Lappish atmosphere. The restaurants and food experience producers chosen by Hungry for Finland, know how to make a tourist fall in love not only with Lappish nature but also with local food.

Jarkko Martikainen ja Luotetut miehet performing on Friday 22nd of July at Voimala 1889’s patio!

Aknestik performing on Saturday 23rd of July at Voimala 1889’s patio!

Every Wednesday in July there is a flea market at Voimala 1889’s patio.
You can come as a seller and buy your sales table at Tiketti or just come to shop as a customer! Sales table for one person costs 15€ for one night.

We also sell refreshments and food at the patio!

Elojazz is an intimate jazz and rhythm music festival in the heart of Oulu. The sweet melodies of Elojazz have been heard in Oulu for more than three decades. The festival takes place on the first weekend of August and includes main concerts as well free club gigs.

The artistic director of Elojazz is Jukka Eskola, one of the most recognized jazz musicians in Finland. The festival is produced by Jazz-20 Association.

Oulu Climbing Center is a recreational sports venue with indoor climbing facilities for lead, top rope and automatic belayed climbing and bouldering. There is climbing for everyone even if you are a first timer or beginner, a young child or an elderly climber. The climbing routes are setup by competent route setters who take all the climbers into consideration. Come and try it yourself!

A sauna with a meeting room and kitchen is found at the top floor of the climbing centre. A balcony with a view to the sea is equipped with tables and chairs together with barbecue facilities and a hot tub to relax after climbing or a meeting! Make a reservation for your work group or peer.

In this workshop we will teach you how to make useful brushes and scrubbers for your home from natural materials. Fiber bundles are assembled into durable home tools using traditional brush tying techniques.
During the course you´ll have time to make three tools and the price of the course includes guidance for learning traditional brush making and a material fee to make 2 pot scrubbers and 1 crumb brush.
Price 37 € / member price 32 €.
Non-stop workshop Thu 7.7.2022 or Tue 19.7. between 12 and 5 PM. Please arrive no later than 3:30 PM. No pre-registration!

Dye a surprising skein of yarn with plants or organic waste!
Jar dyeing is a fun and easy technique, and we welcome you to join us in a journey of experiments. In this workshop you will learn how to dye yarn in a glass jar using natural dyes.
You don`t need any material of your own, we provide all supplies.
Workshop Fri June  8th  from 12pm to 5 pm or
Workshop Fri June 22nd from 12pm to 5 pm
Workshop is non-stop, so you can attend at a time that is suitable for you.
No prior notice – attend 4 pm at the latest.
Price: 25€/attendant (the price contains 100 grams of wool yarn, a glass jar, mordants and guiding)
Our maximum group size is 12 attendants at the same time.

Guided walking tours are available during the summer with varied themes. Guaranteed departures on Tuesdays and Fridays between 13.6.-19.8.2022. Guiding in Finnish only.

You can also book a guide for your own group! More information in the web page!

Luotolainen is an old traditional sweater knitted by finnish sheep wool. It has many special details that you can not find other knit wears. The first Luotolainen was found in Hailuoto island near Oulu. Now that knitted sweater is more famous than ever! In the exhibition you see all the versions of this awesome sweater. Can you use a spinning wheel and make yarn? Now you have a change to try!

The legend of Luotolainen
On the island of Hailuoto, in the far north of the Baltic Sea, lived a boy and a girl. As they grew older, their paths led them apart; he went off to war, and she married another man. As a token of their deep affection, she knit the Luotolainen sweater for him. The sweater was his most prized treasure. He lived in solitude for the rest of his life, but his Luotolainen sweater he never gave up. It was worn and mended for over 45 years—worn until the day he died. The Luotolainen is the island’s story of love and longing.
the man got several other sweaters over the years, but he never wore them. instead he took pieces from the new ones to mend the sweater from his unrequited love. the orginal sweater from this legend is located in the handicraft museum in Jyväskylä. (Käsityön museo). This sweater is about 100 years old.

Significance of the ribbing: not unusual, goes through whole sweater, easy to adapt when making larger or smaller. ribbing also makes it warmer, better insulator. Inteded to be kept and mended even through multiple generations. If the sweater is gifted to a specific person, the knitter can add the wearers, personalized initials or other personal emblem, so that if the fisher died or was lost at sea, the person could be recognized by the sweater. If it happened in late fall or winter you couldn’t find the person, but the sweater.

This exhibition is to be seen in Taito Shop Pop up room all the july. This exhibition is not guided.

Welcome to guided bike tour from Nallikari to Oulu city center! We drive cycleways trough Pikisaari to city center. We visit Market Place, City Hall and Catherdral from outside. The tour ends in Nallikari. Guide will tell you information and stories from Oulu and Oulu region. You will get tips for shopping and events. You can rent bikes from Nallikari holiday village. Rental is not included in the price of tour. For families, small groups and companies.

Welcome to Oulu! Guided city walking tour.

History and present shortly told by an authorized tourist guide: Market Place, City Hall, Cathedral. Tips for places to visit, shopping and events.

Guided transportation from Oulu Airport to your accommodation to Oulu city center. The guide will pick you or your group up from airport. On the way you will hear stories and information of Oulu and Oulu region. You will get tips of events and shopping. 30 min tour in Oulu city center is included.

Welcome to a minivan trip to Hailuoto. We pick you up from Oulu city center and bring you back after the trip. Guide will be with you troughout the trip. You hear stories and information from Hailuoto, Oulu and Oulu region. We visit Hailuoto Organum, wich is a concrete piece of spatial art by Hai Art in Ulkokarvo. The piece was designed by a distinguished acoustic artist, Lukas Kühne. We can enjoy snacks, in the nearby Petsamo hut, on an open fire. Then we drive to Marjaniemi, where you can get to know the area with guide or independently. Possibility for shopping also. If you like to have a meal in restaurant in Hailuoto, it is better to book advance. It is also possible to visit Hailuoto Brewery, when it is open. For companies, groups and families.

Welcome to a minivan trip to Turkansaari Open Air Museum. The museum is located in three island in Oulujoki. The main themes of the museum are traditional agriculture and forestry, fishing and Oulu’s history of tar. We pick you up from Oulu city center and bring you back after the trip. The guide will be with you throughout the trip. From the guide you hear stories and information of Turkansaari, Oulu and Oulu region. Turkansaari Open Air Museum is open 6.6.-29.8. Mon-Sun from 10 a.m. to 18 p.m. In the museum area is Café, where you could have traditional salmon soup for lunch from 11 a.m. to 15 p.m. Tickets 10 € adult, children under 18 years free. Museum tickets and lunch are not included in the price of the trip. For Companies, groups and families.

What is SuperPark? SuperPark is an entertainer. We deliver a unique experience of joyful play that excites and unites people all over the world – no matter their age or fitness level. Via our purpose built, high quality indoor activity centres, we deliver joy, increased health and exercise opportunities to all manner of people. You have to see the place to believe it!

We want our customers to take care of the joy while we work with research and development – in order to serve the world even better. SuperPark is suitable for families, seniors, young people, toddlers, work groups, bachelor parties, birthday groups and just about everyone. Navigating the SuperPark, or ‘sparking’, is not only fun, but also useful.

Adventure Area. Game Arena. Freestyle Hall. Choose your own adventure! SuperPark is home to a smorgasbord of activities, designed to inspire and entertain you. Come see what all the hype is about!

The programme introduces to the sounds, flora and fauna of the season.

Finland has four unique seasons. Light-filled summer, when Oulu is bright even at night. Our area’s birds and late summer berry reserves are second to none.

The colorful autumn brings with it migratory birds, dark nights and our pure nature is slowly turning into a mushroom-hunter’s paradise before frost-glazed winter.

Winters in Oulu are crisp, glittery and full of snow. It is the time for warm woolen jumpers and windproof jacket. Winter is also time for darkness but also time for peace and quiet in our forests.

Bloom-covered spring is also time for wild herbs. In the spring and early summer, nature provides an abundant harvest of wild edible plants for anyone to pick. It is easy to fond fresh, nutrient-rich ingredients for salads, seasonings and herbal beverages.

Finland is home to the world’s largest archipelago and has more than 80,000 islands off its coast. Our excursion destination is Akio Island, which is slowly becoming part of the mainland due to the region’s strong land uplift. The nesting birds in the area are rich in both species and numbers, and the surrounding sea area is an important resting area for migratory birds.

Did You know, that all people have the right to enjoy nature anywhere in the Finnish countryside regardless of land ownership? The legal concept of “Everyman’s Right” in Finland extends immense freedom to roam but comes with some serious responsibilities. Primary of all is a mutual respect for nature and people. The golden rule requires a desire to preserve and protect the unspoiled beauty and wonder of nature for future generations to enjoy.

Good walking condition required (includes ~3 km of walking).

Come with us to enjoy in the arms of the Finnish forest. During the nature walk we challenge our senses to hear, feel and see the surrounding nature holistically.

Breathing exercises soothe us by the trees. We hear local stories and learn what the forest means to Finns. A relaxing moment in clean, Finnish nature increases health and relieves stress. In summer this can be arranged also during the night.

After the walk we sit by the campfire. Everyone gets to make a memory for themselves; a little piece of jewerly made from a local reed.

Coffee/tea with a little sweet and sausages are served.

Ever made an ice fishing trip with a husky sled? Our Arctic huskies take you to the best fishing spots on the frozen sea. Ice fishing in the hope of the The Big Catch or – if Mother Nature is not favourable – inventing The Greatest Fishing Story of All Times. Return to the shore in a husky sled.

Suitable mainly for over 12-year-olds.

Oulu August Festival is an event entity of six festivals and additional program, which attracts approximately 60,000 visitors annually. A month-long celebration of culture features hundreds of events in the city of Oulu and its surroundings, ranging from music and cinema to literature and performance arts.

The members of Oulu August Festival are Elojazz, Oulunsalo Soi Chamber Music Festival, Literary Art Festival Muusajuhlat, Oulu Arts Night, Oulu Music Video Festival, Air Guitar World Championships and Flow Productions. The members organize high-quality cultural events in August.

Oulu August Festival also offers other events, such as macro concerts, Oulu August Festival Presents event series (rotating every other year), Choir Day and silent films.

Oulu August Festival has the EcoCompass environmental certificate.