Programme picks you don’t want to miss:
Summer Night’s Dinner In Summer Night’s Dinner guests share local dishes at a kilometre-long table. The more adventurous foodie might try rössypottu, a dish made of pork and potatoes, recently rated the worst food in the world. August 15, 2026.
Dalia Stasevska
Beyond the Sky brings space within reach. The project blends art, science and technology, reflecting astrophotographer Jukka-Pekka Metsävainio’s photos of distant nebulae on the ceiling of the Oulu Hall event centre. The Oulu Symphony Orchestra brings Lauri Porra’s evocative musical composition to life, conducted by Dalia Stasevska. November 19–21, 2026.
Olosauna is a modern village sauna.
The Art of Sauna The unique wonders of Finnish sauna culture will present themselves to guests at Tuira Beach, located by the Oulujoki river delta. Visitors can rent mobile saunas made of plywood, each fitting up to ten people at a time. Throughout the year.
Untamed Office is an urban production agency that recruits teams of young adults to bring Oulu to life. They organise clubs, street festivals, design events and exhibitions on Pikisaari, an island inhabited by artists and the creative class. Throughout the year.
Hydropower plant series This experimental opera series takes over the hydropower plants of rivers Oulu and Emä. Performances will spread to the vast area from Suomussalmi to Muhos. The series explores the harnessing of the rivers from the 19th century to this day. You can even experience shows at the bottom of the river! Throughout the year.
Ekho Collective: Layers in the Peace Machine
The immersive installation is based on the literary work called Peace Machine by late researcher Timo Honkela. The artwork sheds light on the concept of building peace and will be influenced by audience members’ peace-related memories, collected in 2025. Throughout the year.
By Kristiina Ella Markkanen, ThisisFINLAND Magazine
Photos: Lumi Ripatti, Kevin Kallombo
