Welcome to an inspiring celebration of Nordic and European culture! Together with 39 municipalities, Oulu2026 offers world-class cultural events – from near, far, and everywhere in between. We’ve curated the must-see highlights from the upcoming Oulu2026 programme to help you plan your visit to Northern Finland.
Winter / Spring 2026
- 31 Dec 2025 – Oulu2026 Show: Ring in the New Year in style as the Oulu2026 Show kicks off the celebration of our European Capital of Culture year with a bang! Expect explosive energy, dazzling visuals, sparkle and joy – with top Finnish artists lighting up the stage. Tickets are on sale!
Read more: New Year’s Celebration: Oulu2026 Show - 16–18 Jan 2026 – Opening Festival: Oulu’s city centre transforms into a vibrant festival village, offering a wide range of activities for all ages.
Read more: Oulu2026 Opening Festival 16–18 January 2026 - 16 Jan 2026 – Kotilo Children’s Cultural Centre Launch: Kotilo invites you to play and get to know different fields of art. Everyone enjoys the meeting place, which feeds imagination and enthusiasm.
Read more: Children’s Cultural Centre Kotilo - Jan–Early May – Sámi Culture at Oulu Art Museum: Immerse yourself in the resilience and sustainability of Sámi culture through exhibitions and events.
Read more: Sámi dáiddamusea – Sámi Art Museum - 6 Feb 2026 – Sámi National Day: Celebrate the traditions and contemporary expressions of the Sámi people, the EU’s only indigenous group.
Read more: Oulu2026 Programme- Risku - 28 Feb 2026 – Frozen People Festival: Experience electronic music on the ice of Nallikari beach, where the frozen sea sets a dramatic stage for performances.
Read more: Frozen People | Oulu Urban Culture (link opens at ouc.fi)
Summer 2026
- 22 Aug 2026 – Summer Night Dinner: Join thousands at a kilometer-long communal table in downtown Oulu, celebrating local cuisine, art, and togetherness.
Read more: Summer Night Dinner – arcticfoodlab.fi (link opens at arcticfoodlab.fi) - 28–29 Aug 2026 – Delta Life: A carnival blending nature, art, and community spirit, set in the river delta area of Oulu’s birthplace.
Read more: Oulu2026 Programme | Delta Life - 22 Aug 2026 – Faravid’s Land Premiere: A theatrical journey into Oulu’s mythical past, combining theatre, dance, and contemporary circus.
Read more: Oulu2026 Programme | Faravid’s Land - June 2026 – Climate Clock. The world’s leading international and domestic artists create a permanent artistic route around Oulu. Each unique place offers a moment of reflection and hope for the future. Opening in mid-June.
Read more: Oulu2026-programme: Climate Clock public art trail
Autumn 2026
- Autumn 2026 – Adaptation, time is not on our side. Project reclaims the narrative of adaptation, challenging acceptance and advocating for active agency. Through artworks and exhibitions, it seeks to empower individuals to shape environments.
Read more: Oulu2026 Programme | Adaptation, time is not on our side - 13–22 Nov 2026 – Lumo Art & Tech Festival: A ten-day celebration of art and technology, featuring light art, sound installations, and digital experiences across multiple venues.
Read more: Lumo Art & Tech in November 2026 - 19–21 Nov 2026 – Beyond the Sky: An innovative work blending art, science, and technology, bringing distant nebulae within reach, accompanied by music performed by Oulu Sinfonia.
Read more: Oulu2026 Programme | Beyond the Sky
Year-round highlights
- Media Art from Kiasma: An exhibition curated from the collections of the Finnish National Gallery, hosted at Oulu City Hall, offering cutting-edge media art experiences.
Read more: Oulu2026: Media Art from Kiasma - Layers in the Peace Machine: An immersive media installation at Oulu City Hall, exploring the concept of peace through AI and interactive art.
Read more: Oulu2026: Layers in the Peace Machine - Fotografiska Tallinn Exhibition: A brand-new exhibition curated for Oulu2026, inviting visitors to see beyond the ordinary and envision a future where creativity and community are at the forefront.
Read more: Fotografiska Tallinn x Oulu2026
The full event calendar and program details will be published in September 2025 at oulu2026.eu.
