Last updated: November 22, 2024
Welcome to explore Oulu's Christmas season events with this comprehensive guide. We offer both locals and visitors a diverse overview of the city's winter events and activities.
Rotuaari pedestrian street and the historic marketplace form the heart of the Christmas season, where the traditional Christmas market attracts visitors. Regular Christmas concerts are held around the City Hall, and the illuminated winter landscape of Ainola Park provides an atmospheric environment for winter walks. In nearby Nallikari, you can enjoy the maritime atmosphere and winter swimming, while the numerous cafés and restaurants in the center offer warming Christmas delicacies.
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Oulu Holiday Light Displays
Lumo Light Festival
- What to Expect
- Interactive light and media works
- Description
- The Lumo Light Festival is an exhibition of light and media art that illuminates Oulu in late November. The festival showcases interactive light and media works that promote open and respectful dialogue.
- Where
- Oulu | More Info : Lumo Light Festival
Rotuaari Christmas Forest
- What to Expect
- Various weekend programs and a fire pit.
- Description
- In Rotuaarin joulumetsä, you can enjoy the festive atmosphere amidst hundreds of trees. The event features various programs on weekends, a fire pit, and a possibility to grill sausages. The craft market offers handmade items and seasonal treats.
- Where
- Oulu | More Info : Rotuaari Christmas Forest
Oulu Holiday Markets and Shopping
Tierna Christmas Market
- What to Expect
- Unique handicrafts and festive treats
- Description
- Tiernatori is a Christmas market in Oulu's city center featuring unique handicrafts and festive treats, organized in collaboration with Kädentaitajien lahjapaja.
- Where
- Oulu | More Info : Tierna Christmas Market
Oulu Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Tierna Boy Competition
- What to Expect
- National tierna competition where all participants go straight to the final.
- Description
- The Tiernapoikakilpailu is a national competition where young people perform traditional tierna plays. The event aims to preserve and develop the living tierna heritage.
- Where
- Oulu | More Info : Tierna Boy Competition
Oulu All Star Big Band Christmas Concert
- What to Expect
- Finnish big band Christmas concert.
- Description
- The Oulu All Star Big Band Christmas concert is a fully Finnish Christmas concert where the band performs both classic and modern Christmas songs.
- Where
- Oulu | More Info : Oulu All Star Big Band Christmas Concert
Oulu Sinfonia: Snowman with Live Music
- What to Expect
- Conducted by Kimmo Tullila, Oulu Sinfonia and Madetojan musiikkilukion tyttökuoro perform.
- Description
- Oulu Sinfonia performs The Snowman with live music. Conducted by Kimmo Tullila, the event features Oulu Sinfonia and Madetojan musiikkilukion tyttökuoro. The program includes a 30-minute animated piece by Howard Blake, based on Raymond Briggs's children's book.
- Where
- Oulu | More Info : Oulu Sinfonia: Snowman with Live Music
Johann Sebastian Bach's Christmas Oratorio
- What to Expect
- Celebration of beautiful choral moments and ornate arias in the spirit of Christmas.
- Description
- Johann Sebastian Bach's Christmas Oratorio is one of the composer's most beautiful and majestic works. The concert features three of the six original cantatas, primarily secular. The oratorio takes the audience to Bethlehem, where shepherds and eastern wise men rejoice at the miraculous birth of a child.
- Where
- Oulu | More Info : Johann Sebastian Bach's Christmas Oratorio
Christmas Opening at Valkea Shopping Center
- What to Expect
- The Christmas opening offers a diverse Christmas experience.
- Description
- The Christmas opening of Valkea Shopping Centre is filled with the spirit of Christmas and offers a variety of enticing offerings and activities.
- Where
- Oulu | More Info : Christmas Opening at Valkea Shopping Center
Christmas Concert at Teatterikuoppa
- What to Expect
- Christmas big band concert at Haukiputaan Teatterikuopalla.
- Description
- The Christmas Concert at Teatterikuopalla features traditional jazz-influenced American Christmas songs and Finnish holiday classics.
- Where
- Oulu | More Info : Christmas Concert at Teatterikuoppa
Soiva Siili Orchestra Christmas Concert at Valvesali
- What to Expect
- Warm and cozy family Christmas concert.
- Description
- Soiva Siili Orkester's Christmas Concert is a warm and cozy event featuring harmonica, guitar, and various other instruments playing in a traditional manner. Markus Lampela, Kyösti Salmijärvi, Tommi Salmela, Jorma Itkonen, Rike Pietilä, and Anne-Mari Kanniainen form Soiva Siili's quintet, which warms the room with familiar Christmas music.
- Where
- Oulu | More Info : Soiva Siili Orchestra Christmas Concert at Valvesali
Oulu Other Holiday Activities
Christmas Street Opening at Rotuaari
- What to Expect
- Unique light display and atmosphere on Rotuaarilla.
- Description
- The opening of Joulukadun on Rotuaarilla is a significant part of the city's Christmas celebrations, where visitors can enjoy the beautiful lights and atmosphere.
- Where
- Oulu | More Info : Christmas Street Opening at Rotuaari