Colourful Oulu Brings Cultures from Around the World to Pohjankartano

What is Oulu like when the city’s many cultures are given a chance to shine? You can experience it at the Colourful Oulu event at Pohjankartano on Saturday, 3 October. Taking place from 1:00 to 5:30 p.m., the free event invites people in Oulu to discover different cultures through hands-on activities, music, dance and spending time together.

From 1:00 to 3:30 p.m., visitors can take part in a variety of workshops where they can explore different cultures through hands-on activities. The programme includes, for example, a Thai flower workshop, a Ukrainian wreath-making workshop, henna tattoos and a word art workshop.

“We want to highlight the diversity that already exists in Oulu. The event has been planned together with different language and cultural communities, offering people an opportunity to discover different cultures in a relaxed atmosphere and through doing things together,” says Mia Lindberg, who is responsible for events at Villa Victor.

The afternoon programme culminates in World on Stage, featuring music and dance performances from different cultures. Performers from countries including Chile, India and Nigeria will take to the stage. The Ukrainian singing duo Sonata will also perform.

The day will conclude with a fashion parade celebrating different cultures, featuring colourful and diverse outfits from around the world.

Volunteers are also involved in organising the event. “I would like to thank Sari Seppänen for the great cooperation already during the planning stage of the event. The volunteers from the Equal Participation through Volunteering project play an important role in making the event happen,” Lindberg says.

Welcome to experience and create a multicultural Oulu together!

Colourful Oulu takes place on Saturday, 3 October 2026, from 1:00 to 5:30 p.m. at Pohjankartano. The event is part of the Oulu Cultural Capital Year 2026 programme.