Taking place from 9–13 December, the event programme will offer something for everyone, from concerts, lectures and children’s activities to traditional Christmas experiences and metal music.
The Oulu2026 European Capital of Culture year has been celebrated in Raahe since the opening festivities in January. The cultural year has now reached its halfway point, and a busy summer of events is just beginning. However, attention is already turning towards the end of the year, when Raahe will celebrate the conclusion of the Oulu2026 year with its own week-long programme of events.
Taking place from 9–13 December, the event programme will offer something for everyone, from concerts, lectures and children’s activities to traditional Christmas experiences and metal music. One of the highlights of the week will be Stormy Sounds, held at Koivuluoto Arena on Friday, 11 December, with Finnish metal band Stam1na as the headline act.
Stormy Sounds is an alcohol-free, all-ages event that brings together young local bands, performers from Rock Academy Raahe and fans of heavy music. The event is part of Rock Camp Association’s Heavy NO to Bullying concept. It is organized by Raahe Youth Services, Rock Academy Raahe and Rock Camp Association, in cooperation with Raahe Cultural Services and Raahe Sports Services.
“The idea for Stormy Sounds actually emerged during Raahe’s Oulu2026 opening celebrations. While admiring the newly opened Koivuluoto Arena, we started talking about how perfect the venue would be for a metal music event. We presented the idea to Rock Camp, and from there the pieces began to fall into place. Once Stam1na joined the line-up, it became clear that the event would be one of the highlights of the entire closing week,” says Youth Instructor Henna Leskinen from Raahe Youth Services.
The Closing Week Is Built Through Collaboration
Events during the closing week will take place across the city, from Old Town Raahe and the Sovelius House to Koivuluoto Arena, Raahe Event House, Raahe Church, the Main Library, the Old Seminary Area, Kello Concert Hall and Kuntokeidas Vesipekka. The programme is being created through extensive cooperation between different departments of the City of Raahe and local cultural organizations, reflecting the same community spirit that has characterized the entire Oulu2026 year.
“We wanted to create a closing programme that would be just as community-driven and diverse as the opening celebrations in January. The various events taking place around the city throughout the week will offer experiences for a wide range of audiences while showcasing Raahe’s strengths in culture, music and local heritage,” says Piritta Rossi, Head of Cultural Services for the City of Raahe.
“The entire Oulu2026 year has been built on strong cooperation and a remarkable volunteer spirit. The opening celebrations were such a success because they brought together a wide range of city departments, associations and other organizations. The closing week is being built in exactly the same spirit,” Rossi continues.
Raahe’s closing week is part of the official Oulu2026 programme.
The programme will continue to evolve throughout the year. Updated information and programme details will be published at raahe.fi/en/oulu2026.
