Events and clubs

Villa Victor is the hub for multicultural events and clubs in Oulu!

We offer a variety of activities, including annual trip to Pilpasuo, Coffee Club, Knitting Club, and Football Club. Together with our co-operations parties, we organize festivals and events with various themes, like our Independence Day celebration.

A highlight is Colorful Restaurant, where home chefs from around the world offer delicious treats at affordable prices.
Best of all, all of our events and activities are free!

Join us at Villa Victor for fun, connection, and celebration!

Events, clubs and information sessions

Events

Cultural Cafés on first Wednesday of the month at 15-18

Villa Victor is carrying out a series of cultural cafés as part of Oulu's European Capital of Culture year in collaboration with a network of different language and cultural communities. These Cultural Cafés are arranged that Oulu residence can get to know more about different cultures.

Welcome to experience the richness of cultures at Villa Victor!

Themes of the cultural cafés:

Wednesday 4.2. Sri Lanka

Wednesday 4.3. Persia

Wednesday 1.4. Peru

Wednesday 6.5. China

Wednesday 2.9. Egypt

Wednesday 7.10. Ukraine

Wednesday 4.11. Sami-culture

Wednesday 2.12. Bangladesh

Welcome to learn more about Oulu´s cultural diversity!

Colorful Restaurant

Saturday, May 9, 2026 at 11-15
Pohjankartano School (Leevi Madetojan katu 1)

Welcome to taste flavors from around the world!

The colorful restaurant pop-up will open again on Saturday, May 9th at Pohjankartano School.

Home chefs from 25 different countries will be participating and over 200 different foods, delicacies and drinks will be on offer. Tastings from different food cultures will offer a unique taste journey around the world.

“Home chefs will be able to showcase their expertise at the event and bring customers a breath of their own home countries in the form of delicious flavors. Small tasting items are on sale for one euro or two, and for five euros you can get a small meal package.” Villa Victor designer Mia Lindberg says and welcomes
everyone to the event.

It is worth bringing cash, as representatives from each country will be paid separately. Some also use Mobilepay. Interest in the event has grown year by year, and over 60 home chefs registered through an open call, of which only representatives from 25 different countries were able to participate.

This time, home chefs from the following countries and cultures are participating: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Brazil, England, Estonia, Indonesia, India, Iran, Iraq, Japan, China, Kurdistan, Nigeria, Nepal, Peru, Poland, Finland, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Turkey, Tunisia, Uganda, Ukraine, Vietnam and Honduras

Menus

Linnanmaa picnic

Botanical Garden – the exotic haven next to the University of Oulu campus

Join us for an inspiring evening at the Linnanmaa Picnic, set in the lush, tropical atmosphere of the Botanical Garden greenhouses and outdoor garden areas, just next to the University of Oulu Linnanmaa campus. The event brings together nature, science, creativity, student innovation, and summer inspiration—for curious minds of all ages

Location: Botanical Garden (greenhouses and outdoor garden), Linnanmaa
Date: 2 June at 16-19.30
Registration required
Snacks and refreshments provided

Come picnic, explore, create, and discover how nature, technology, and community come together at Linnanmaa.

Please note: Participation requires registration in advance: https://link.webropolsurveys.com/EventParticipation/EventPublic/d0712345-4a1a-4398-a7d8-bed7b7179fc6?displayId=Fin3661309

If you want to help run the event, sign up as a volunteer https://link.webropolsurveys.com/s/linnamaa-picnic-2026-volunteers

What’s happening at the Picnic?

Discover summer opportunities
Learn about summer activities organised by the City of Oulu Youth Services—get ideas, inspiration, and practical tips for an active and meaningful summer.

Enjoy nature-themed performance

Sounds of Oulu invites you to enjoy an inspiring performance in the indoor garden.

Plant your own summer flower
Pause for a creative moment and plant your own “summer flower” in the garden premises which are normally out of reach for visitors.

Nature‑inspired crafts
Take part in hands‑on craft activities using natural materials and stones, following historical and modern Finnish traditions.

The art of ikebana
Dive into the wonders of ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arrangement, and explore how nature, balance, and creativity meet.

Stones, minerals & citizen science
Get introduced to the Virtual Geology and Mineralogy Museum of the University of Oulu and discover how digital tools make geology accessible to everyone.
Bring your own stone to be analysed, discussed, and cherished together through a citizen science approach.

Guided greenhouse tours
Join a guided tour of the Botanical Garden greenhouses and learn more about the diverse plant collections and their stories.

Digitalisation meets nature
Explore brand new digitalisation projects created by ITEE students, designed to improve the Botanical Garden experience for all visitors—from interactive learning tools to new opportunities for discoveries of plants and bugs.

International outdoor games
Try out fun international outdoor games in the garden area, encouraging movement, play, and relaxed cross‑cultural encounters.

Summer Exploration Pass

Kick off your summer adventures with the Summer Exploration Pass.
Collect activities during the summer and receive a prize upon completion at the “Welcome to Oulu” event in September (date to be confirmed).

Who is the event for?

Students
Families and children
Newcomers to Oulu
Anyone curious about nature, science, creativity, and digital innovation

No prior knowledge needed—just curiosity and a willingness to explore.

The event is organized by University of Oulu, Multicultural Centre Villa Victor and Volunteer Zone -project

Welcome to Oulu

The Welcome to Oulu festival will be held during Oulu Days on Friday, September 4, 2026, from 13:00 to 18:00 at Mannerheim Park.

The festival brings together organizations, associations, and different departments of the City of Oulu to present their activities to Oulu residents. At the event, visitors can explore a variety of hobby opportunities, learn about services available in the Oulu region, and discover the city’s cultural offerings.

Oulu is the European Capital of Culture in 2026. Welcome to Oulu festival is part of the Oulu2026 cultural programme and the Cultural Climate Change initiative.

More information:

Coordinator

Mia Lindberg

Multicultural Centre Villa Victor

044 703 1326

mia.lindberg@ouka.fi

Clubs

Coffee Club

Time: Every Wednesday 14:00 to 16:00
Place: Oulu10, street level, Torikatu 10

Come chat in Finnish and enjoy a relaxed afternoon together. Themes change weekly, and no registration needed- just drop in.
Themes of the spring semester:
28 Jan Song Workshop
4 Feb Sri Lankan Cultural Café at 15-18
11 Feb Valentine’s Day (in Finland: Friends’ Day) Craft Workshop
18 Feb Laskiainen – Quiz
25 Feb Language Café – Tandem Learning

The Coffee Club is organized in collaboration with the Mobile Futures project and Multicultural Centre Villa Victor.

Knitting and Crocheting Club

Time: Every Friday 10.00 - 11.30

Place: Oulu10, street level, Torikatu 10

The Knitting & Crocheting Club is open to everyone. No advance registration is reguired- just drop in. Whether you're an absolute beginner or experienced, we will teach you the basics of knitting and crocheting. All materials, including yarn, knitting needles, and crochet hooks, are provided for free. You can bring your own project or start a new one here.

It’s a fantastic way to practice your Finnish and meet new people. Many of our members started as beginners and have since become skillful knitters! For Finnish speakers, it's a wonderful opportunity to make new friends and enjoy a relaxed, creative environment.