Program
Programme at Welcome to Oulu festival
During the event day, different local performers and speakers will take the stage at the Welcome to Oulu festival. The first 500 visitors to the festival will be served coffee!
The event will be hosted by Heidi Sinikka.
Schedule
| Time | STAGE PROGRAMME | ACTIVITY SESSIONS ON THE LAWN |
| 13.00 | Greeting from the City of Oulu, Mayor Ari Alatossava | |
| 13.10 | Greeting from the Oulu Cultural Foundation, Community Manager Heli Metsäpelto | |
| 13.30 | COMIQUE MINE Comedy Theatre, a pantomime performance in sign language | |
| 13.40 | Tuira Fight Club ry T.F.C | |
| 14.00 | Ynnin Pojat and OULU-tiernat | |
| 14.30 | Northern Lights Cheerleading ry | |
| 15.00 | MusalootA | |
| 15.30 | Northern Lights Cheerleading ry | |
| 15.40 | Joogastudio Tyyni | |
| 16.00 | Sampo Salmela, Valosta ja varjoista album release concert | |
| 16.30 | Northern Lights Cheerleading ry | |
| 16.40 | Oulun Taiji seura ry | |
| 17.00 | Northern Ostrobothnian folk music moves people |
Changes are possible.
The Mayors greeting and coffee
The Welcome to Oulu festival will be opened by Mayor Ari Alatossava. At the same time, coffee will be served at the coffee tent for the first 500 festival visitors. After his greeting, the Mayor will join festivalgoers for coffee.
Comedy Theatre COMIQUE MINE
Oulu-based comedy theatre COMIQUE MINE presents a small-scale performance combining signs, pantomime and improvisation. The performers are sign-language performer Maarit Ylitalo and Jari Ylitalo. Come and enjoy some cheerful moments!
OULU-tiernat
OULU-tiernat is an inventive Oulu adaptation of the traditional Tiernapojat play. It respects the old songs, story and familiar characters, but gives everything a slightly different twist. The characters are quintessentially Oulu, and the story moves between the streets of old and present-day Oulu.
Ynnin Pojat
Ynnin Pojat cherish one of Finland’s most beloved Christmas performance traditions. Performed by talented young singers, the Tiernapojat play combines tradition, powerful singing and an evocative atmosphere. Come and enjoy this heart-warming performance, an essential part of Northern Finland’s Christmas cultural heritage.
MusalootA
MusalootA performs and plays along to new songs for children, families and the young at heart.
Sampo Salmela's album release concert
Sampo Salmela is a long-established Oulu-based artist whose music combines the joys and sorrows of life in a blend of Finnish schlager and pop. Salmela’s fourth full-length album, Valosta ja varjoista, will be released on 4 September 2026. This acoustic solo performance will mainly feature new material from the album.
Northern Ostrobothnian folk music moves people
North Ostrobothnian folk music gets you moving at the Welcome to Oulu festival! Fiddlers Erja Pätsi and Viljami Pruiksma lead a jam orchestra of folk musicians from the North Ostrobothnia Folk Music Association, while dance teacher Sofia Timonen guides the audience through the basics of the polska. After that, the dancing and music continue until the end of the event. No previous dance experience is needed, come along to watch, listen and give it a try!
Hosted by Heidi Sinikka
Heidi Sinikka is a vibrant and experienced performer whose strengths lie in living in the moment and connecting with the audience. Her genuine and cheerful personality comes through in her voice, always with a twinkle in her eye. Her hosting style is relaxed yet professional, and she has worked as a presenter and host at a variety of events.