Oulu Airport makes air travel the fastest way to reach Oulu, located approximately 15 kilometers from the city center. From the airport, bus number 8 and 9 transport you to the city center in 20 minutes. Local taxi service, Otaxi are ready to pick you up from the airport -also preordered!

The Railway Station takes you directly to the City Center and if needed, you can always catch a taxi in front of the Railway Station.

Majority of the long-distance buses also arrive at the Train Station with a short walk to the City Center and the festival venues.

During the Opening Festival, traffic and parking areas in central Oulu may be congested, so please allow enough time for arrival.

Due to the public event, the following streets will be temporarily closed to car traffic at the times indicated:

Kaarlenväylä and Rantakatu between Hallituskatu and Kiikelinsilta will be closed to car traffic:

• Fri 16 Jan 2026, 14:00–22:30
• Sat 17 Jan 2026, 12:00–22:30

(Access to properties will be allowed).

Hallituskatu between Kaarleväylä and the Kivisydän parking entrance will be made two-way.

Hallituskatu between Aleksanterinkatu and Torikatu, and Torikatu–Kirkkokatu will be closed to car traffic:

• Fri 16 Jan, 15:00–20:00
• Sat 17 Jan, 14:00–20:00

Access to properties will be allowed.
Local bus traffic is permitted.

The event organiser reserves the right to make all changes.

During the Opening Festival, traffic and parking areas in central Oulu may be congested, so please allow We recommend arriving at the Opening Festival by bus! The best payment options for occasional bus travel are contactless payment and the OSL app.

Buses accept contactless bank cards (Visa, Visa Electron, Mastercard and Eurocard). With contactless payment you can only pay for your own journey. With the OSL app you can buy single tickets for yourself or even for your whole group. Tickets are valid immediately upon purchase.

The OSL app’s route planner guides you, based on your location, to the correct stop and from your stop to your final destination. You can also see real-time bus arrival times and head to the stop accordingly. Hop on the bus!

Information on tickets, timetables and routes can be found at osl.fi.

Oulu is a traditional winter cycling city, and cycling is a convenient way to get to the festival!

Please make sure not to park your bicycle on walkways. Space for bicycle parking has been reserved in Mannerheim Park, with supervision at the following times:

• Fri 16 Jan 2026, 15:00–20:00
• Sat 17 Jan 2026, 14:00–20:00

Bicycle parking is at your own risk.

A taxi is always a pre-warmed ride. Oulu2026 partner Otaxi operates around the clock throughout the weekend. Learn more about Otaxi’s services at otaxi.fi/oulu.

When taking a taxi from the city centre, we recommend using official taxi ranks. Elsewhere, taxis can be easily ordered by calling 0600 30081.

Although we have ordered clear skies and pleasant mild frost, we cannot guarantee ideal conditions.

January is usually the coldest months in Oulu and the average temperature drops down to -10°C.. and colder! So please dress accordingly. You can check out the latest weather forecast here (Finnish Meteorological Institute)

Although there is plenty of programme both indoors and outdoors, we recommend dressing warmly even for short transfers, as entry to some venues may be temporarily restricted if they become crowded.

When moving between venues, please note that roads may be icy and slippery, uneven or snowy. Exercise normal caution when walking between event locations.

If the temperature drops to –25°C, outdoor programmes will be suspended.

A first aid station and roaming first aid patrols are provided by Acuutti-Apu Ry. The first aid station is located at Torikatu 18, at the corner of Torikatu and Kauppurienkatu.

Opening hours:

• Fri 16 Jan 2026, 15:00–22:00
• Sat 17 Jan 2026, 11:00–23:00
• Sun 18 Jan 2026, 11:00–18:00

In addition, there are roaming two-person first aid patrols in the event areas.

You can always ask for help from the nearest steward or call the emergency number in urgent situations.

Event safety is everyone’s responsibility, and everyone can contribute through their own actions and behaviour. You can always contact stewards, security guards or facility staff if you have questions or concerns.

Event stewards are responsible for safety and have a duty to intervene in disruptive behaviour in an appropriate manner. If necessary, a person behaving disruptively may be removed to ensure public safety or their own safety.

Please note that event areas may be crowded. Stewards, guards and staff will guide visitors as needed. Temporary access restrictions may be implemented.

Stewards have the right to check persons attending the event for prohibited items or substances, which will be confiscated.

A small ice rink will be set up at Oulu Market Square for public use from 16–18 Jan 2026.

Skating is at your own risk. The rink will be frozen by a professional and maintained several times over the weekend.

From 19 Jan 2026 onwards, the Oulu Culture Foundation will no longer maintain the skating condition of the rink.

The event should be enjoyable, fun and welcoming!

The organiser is committed to safer space principles. There is zero tolerance for harassment, discrimination or violence. Staff have the right to remove anyone who violates safer space principles or event rules.

If you feel unsafe or witness inappropriate behaviour, please inform the nearest steward or contact the harassment contact person by call or message:

040 538 8121
Anna Litewka-Anttolainen, Oulu2026

Alcohol
The use of alcohol or other intoxicating substances is prohibited in public event areas. Stewards have the right to remove intoxicated persons from the area and, if necessary, confiscate substances.

Fireworks, explosives and flares
For public safety reasons, bringing these into event areas is prohibited, and stewards may confiscate them.

Laser pointers or similar devices

Pets and animals

High-visibility vests and jackets, and other high-visibility accessories or clothing

All sticks and poles

The Oulu2026 info point will be located from 16 Jan 2026 on the second floor of Kauppakortteli Pekuri. The Info point is located in front of the escalator as you arrive on the 2nd floor.

During the Opening festival, there will also be an info point at Market Square near the Toripolliisi statue, in a container. The Market Square info container will be open on Friday and Saturday approximately 12:00–18:00.

Please remember to ask about lost items also at the venues and places you visited, as the organiser does not collect lost property from the entire city centre.

Restaurants, shops and cafés in central Oulu operate according to their normal opening hours. The event does not provide separate water stations or drinking water distribution.

Market Square will also have food and drink vendors, open according to the Market Square programme schedule on Friday and Saturday. See the festival vendors here

Items found during the event will be delivered as soon as possible to the Oulu2026 information point at Market Square or Kauppakortteli Pekuri. Later, lost items will be transferred to the Oulu Lost Property Office (Isokatu 26), where they can be enquired about from approximately 25 Jan 2026 onwards.

Please also check for lost items at the venues you visited, as the organiser does not collect lost property from the entire city centre.

Events take place at various indoor and outdoor venues. Please always check accessibility information from the venue’s own website.

Market Square

• A wheelchair viewing platform is available, from which you can follow both the stage programme and ice rink activities.
• The programme may include strong special effects and loud sounds.
• An accessible portable toilet is available on site.

Accessibility assistants

Accessibility assistants are present at the event to help with mobility, communication and other practical matters if needed. You can recognise them by their blue vests.