Oulu Museum and Science Centre’s attractions drew in almost 80 000 visitors in 2025

In 2025, Oulu Museum and Science Centre’s versatile attractions drew in 79 833 visitors to experience science, art, and history.  

Oulu Art Museum’s exhibitions attracted a total of 39 925 art enthusiasts. The Art Museum was open from January to November. The interactive exhibition Imagine Abstract was a crowd-puller; it attracted over 30 700 visitors. Exhibition Kirjo drew in over 15 000 visitors to experience colorful encounters and crafts. Late in the year Oulu’s own master wood-engraver Antti Holma’s extensive life work exhibition attracted almost 10 300 visitors. 

Oulu Arts’ Night drew in a massive crowd of 2 678 visitors in August. It was the largest event in Oulu in 2025. The Art Museum’s family dates were organized twice and brought 616 visitors to experience art. 

Sailor’s Home Museum – also known as the Matila House – on the Pikisaari Island broke its yearly visitor record: over 10 200 visitors. The museum dives into the lives of sailors in Oulu, the history of the Pikisaari Island, and the stories of the museum building. Oulu Arts’ Night attracted the most visitors to the Matila House – over 1 400 people. 

Turkansaari Open Air Museum celebrated its 100th anniversary and attracted 17 151 visitors who enjoyed the countryside atmosphere. The traditional Midsummer Celebration was held at the Turkansaari Island and saw over 1 000 visitors. The museum’s anniversary was celebrated in early August with a party of 921 visitors.  

Over 9 000 prehistory enthusiasts visited the Science Centre Kierikki in Yli-Ii. The most popular event at Kierikki was the Night of Ancient Fires which pulled in over 80 visitors to spend the night by the village’s campfires. 

Science Centre Tietomaa and the Oulu Museum (previously known as Northern Ostrobothnia Museum) were both closed in 2025. Science Centre Tietomaa’s operations were extended to schools with the Tietomaa on the Road project. Its tours reached a total of 7 151 participants in Lappi and Kainuu to do research, try science, and be inspired. Simultaneously, teachers were offered measures for everyday science education and STEAM education. The participants also improved their science skills. The tour focused on mechanics and energy, and it included a science show and a workshop where students got to solve problems in small groups and experience the joy of coming up with innovative solutions. 

Tietomaa’s and Oulu Museum’s brand-new exhibitions open in October of 2026 as the Science Centre Tiima opens which is expected to attract 200 000 visitors annually. 

In July, the Oulunsalo Traditional Village Museum and the Pateniemi Sawmill Museum were open, and they offered information about local history to about 1 000 visitors. Oulu Castle Cellar is open during the Tähtitorni Café’s opening times. Its visitor numbers are not monitored. 

Oulu Museum and Science Centre’s attractions saw a total of 9 349 visitors who used Museum Cards.