Autumn in Oulu offers art, events and nature: see 10 autumn tips for Oulu!

Autumn in Oulu is a treat for nature and culture lovers: the city and its nearby nature sites are full of activities ranging from mountain biking to canoeing, art and cultural events, and of course things to do for children! In this article you will find a collection of event and culture tips, autumn nature activities and autumn holiday tips for Oulu with kids!

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Photo by Janne-Pekka Manninen, Oulu Theatre

1. Immerse yourself in the theatre: the Oulu Theatre's autumn programme, PikiTalk and stand-up gigs in Rio

The dusky autumn evenings invite you to the renewed Oulu Theatre to embrace and enjoy the culture. Also the new Oulu Theatre theatre restaurant Aulis will be serving epicureans from 4 October! The theatre's autumn programme includes Did not say he regretted, Catching small pike, Who's afraid of Virginia Woolf? and Death in Venice.

During the autumn, Oulu Theatre will also organise PikiTalk events series. PikiTalk is an after-work style social discussion on interesting topics with a rotating panel of guests.

For those looking for a good laugh and a good laugh, head to Rio Live! Rio Live Stand Up Clubs offer the best entertainment in the country once a month, when Finland's funniest comedians take to the stage.

2. Enjoy the autumn colours by kayaking or cycling: join a guided brown safari!

Join us on guided brown safaris to enjoy the autumn colours by canoe or bike!

Finnactionin starts in front of the reception of Nallikari holiday village, from where the safari first heads to the beautiful seaside and forest landscapes of Hietasaari. From there, the tour continues to the historic Pikisaari, Oulu's old town, which is circled along paths through park-like estuary landscapes.

Oulujokisuisto is a versatile kayaking destination, offering some of the most beautiful scenery in the entire Oulu region. The estuary is at its most impressive from mid-September to mid-October, when it is bathed in a magnificent array of brown colours. Organised by Finnaction ruska-time kayaking safaris start from Mustasalmi beach, where the most beautiful landing place on the official Oulu kayaking route is located. Paddling trips are well suited for beginners.

Also Lapland organises fatbike tours in Oulu on a weekly basis.

3. Warm up in Oulu's public saunas: experience the sauna ferry and test the new free saunas at Pikisaari!

On a crisp autumn day, nothing beats the warmth of a sauna!

Hailuoto Brewery's malt sauna will open two new public saunas in Pikisaari this autumn, where you can enjoy the sauna baths for free! The sauna will be topped with organic beers from the local Hailuoto Brewery.

The birch beach sawdust on the public sauna shift you can enjoy the river landscape and take a dip in the Oulujoki river. There are also motorised sauna rides available from the sauna board. Birch beach igloo, where accommodation and sailing along the Oulu River is guaranteed to be a memorable experience!

Photo by Mika Friman

4. Be inspired by art! Explore the exhibitions at Oulu Art Museum and Valvee

Oulu Art Museum in autumn 2023, the museum will offer visitors inspiring art experiences in three different exhibitions:

🎨 The Seasons in Us exhibition presents works from the collections of the Finnish Art Foundations, including works from the 19th century to the present day. The exhibition is on display until 7.1.2024.

🎨 Marjatta Hanhijoki: Aino and Reetu - Close up 3 is a collection of works by painter and graphic artist Hanhijoki, which explore the wonders of life and everyday life with a gentle gaze. The exhibition is on display until 26.11.2023.

🎨 Jaakko Autio: OWLA is a fascinating sound installation that combines speech and music. The work reflects on being from Oulu and the relationship between people and their hometown. The installation is open until 26.11.2023.

Art lovers should also visit House of Culture in Valve: three galleries, two performance halls and a cinema full of things to see and do!

5. Classical music is part of Oulu's autumn: drop by the Oulu Symphony Orchestra concert

Oulu Symphony Orchestra's autumn programme with its seasonal and special concerts is, in a word, diverse!

This autumn, Oulu Music Centre celebrates its 40-year history as the beating heart of the city. The Oulu Symphony's home base, the Madetoja Hall, will be the focal point of the celebrations in October with a two-concert mini-festival featuring several Oulu composers. Levi Madetoyan classic compositions and brand new L. Onervan based on poems Lara Poen composed by.

On Friday 13, the youth, or rather former youth, will gather again in the Madetoja Hall for a LIVE concert of the compositions of former youth. This year the stage will be taken over by the established stars of entertainment Finland. Laura Voutilainen, Mikko Alatalo and Ilkka Alanko. Jorma Hietamäki and Paula Everyman the concert will feature some of the trio's best songs and the stories behind them in stunning symphonic arrangements. The Oulu Symphony Orchestra will be conducted as usual by Jukka Myllys. Former young people will also perform LIVE on Saturday 14.10. at 16:00. The concert can also be combined with an Oktoberfest-style buffet at Restaurant Prelud.

The Oulu Symphony Orchestra has a new ticket package for the autumn season, which includes three special concerts (price 60-96€).

Photo by Sanna Krook

6. Autumn events in Oulu: from Irish festivals to piano recitals and light art

Even in autumn, Oulu is a lively event city with plenty to offer, especially for lovers of culture and live music.

The world's northernmost Irish festivals, The Irish Festival of Oulu, is being held for the sixteenth time this year! It will be another unforgettable Irish cultural festival - between new and old friends - so make a note in your diary for 4-8 October.

For live music, check out The power plant of 1889 and Tuba Food & Lounges the range of gigs on offer.

Enjoy the autumn atmosphere with a glass of wine and live piano music at the wine bar On VENN In the rotunda. And either you're familiar with Oulu's absolute coolest clothing store Rags, which is also a café, wine bar, pop-up gallery and event space along the Rotuaar?

Crafts enthusiasts should check out Taito Shop courses and events, such as pop-up sales and handicraft courses.

Enjoy light art again after dark in November, when the Festival of Light Lumo Light Festival Oulu illuminates the entire downtown area.

See the events calendar

7. Maritime Nallikari charms in all seasons: a natural atmosphere by the sea

Nallikari is where Oulu's seaside is at its best! In the popular Nallikari area, in addition to the beach known as the Nordic Riviera, you will find charming seaside resorts, such as nature trails with campfire sites and bird towers as well as accommodation, cafés and restaurants for those who want to enjoy themselves.

A nature lover should head for Finnactionin a container rental shop, where you can conveniently rent a kayak, canoe, SUP board or fatbike.

Restaurant Nallikari is an upscale Nordic restaurant on Nallikari beach with one of the best views in Oulu. Nallikari Bakery & Bistro while enjoying pastries, cakes, savoury snacks and a relaxed bistro atmosphere.

In Nallikari Holiday Village you can experience the cottage atmosphere just a stone's throw from the centre of Oulu. You can stay in a cosy cottage, a quality villa or a comfortable camping site. Dogs are also welcome!

A walk along the seafront at sunset is the highlight of a day at Nallikar. A classic Oulu experience is climbing up to the Nallikari lighthouse to admire the views!

8. Autumn holiday activities with kids: dinosaurs, animal friends and indoor activities

Oulu is a great autumn holiday destination for the whole family. In addition to nature-based adventures, there's plenty to do even on rainy days.

Finland's largest and most spectacular dinosaur exhibition Dinosauria bring twenty ancient reptiles to life. Life-size dinosaurs move and make sounds in a mysteriously lit exhibition hall next door to SuperPark. The exhibition is produced by Tietomaa Science Centre in Oulu.

Activity park in the same building as the dinosaur SuperPark. Indoor activities for the whole family too Exit Oulu in the escape rooms!

Of course, the best thing to do in the cooler weather is to go outdoors and spend time with animals. A magical family causal adventure invites you to be enchanted by the captivating About the kippons and the fairy tale forest trip To Hawkeye Putea! The ponies take the adventurers on an adventure where autumn smells and leaves crunch under the pony's hooves. The experience is also suitable for the youngest members of the family, no previous experience necessary!

At the Milky Way farm In Kempele, you can visit alpaca farms in the beautiful scenery of forest trails. Alpacas are sweet and gentle animals, so they are also suitable for children.

9. A trip to the nearby nature: the Pilpasuo, Koiteli and the Nordic ring road

In Oulu, nature is close by! You can even walk, cycle or paddle to the nearest nature spots from the city centre. Within a twenty-minute drive you can find several great nature spots.

Pilpasuon The vast marshland is one of the Oulu region's favourite hiking destinations. It is a national peatland conservation programme site and a Natura 2000 site. There are two different routes to choose from in Pilpasouo: the one-kilometre Lystireute (1km) and the seven-kilometre Aistireute (7km).

Koitelinkosket are located in Kiiming, which can be reached from the centre of Oulu in about half an hour. In Koiteli, it is worth stopping by a café with a natural I mothballed in the Emotional Dome, surrounded by the magnificent Koitelinkoski.

River Sanginjoki is a continuous forest area located about 16 kilometres from the centre of Oulu. The area has natural forest features, old spruce stands, also with heaths and dry brushland.

Interesting day trips can also be found in Nordic ring gauge, along which Oulu is also located. In addition to Oulu, the Nordic Ring Road includes Hailuoto, Syöte, Rokua Geopark, Tyrnävä, Lumijoki, Liminka, Kempele, Ii, Raahe, Kalajoki and Kemi.

Browse nature trails

10. Stay in comfort! Take advantage of autumn accommodation offers

Your autumn break in Oulu is crowned by accommodation in one of the hotels in the city centre or in Nallikari by the sea. Would you prefer to stay in a carbon-neutral hotel, a villa by the sea or add a touch of luxury to your holiday by booking a modern themed room in Rotuaari? Take a pick autumn accommodation offers!

See our autumn accommodation offers