Christmas 2024 is just around the corner, and Oulu's Christmas events will start as early as November. Whether you're looking for traditional Christmas events and concerts, winter activities or festive treats, this article will give you a round-up of the most atmospheric tips and events this Christmas. Find out what to see and do in Oulu this Christmas!
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Opening of the Christmas Street at Rotuaar 15.11.2024
The Christmas season in Oulu kicks off with the traditional Christmas street opening! Come to Rotuaari Square Friday 15.11.2024 at 18:00 enjoy the first moments of Christmas spirit at the opening of Oulu's Christmas Street. There will be an exciting programme and the lighting of the Christmas lights together with Santa Claus from Korvatunturi.
The opening of Christmas will also be celebrated at the Valkea Shopping Centre on 15-16 November with a programme for the whole family!
The Snow Festival of Lights lights up the city in November 22.-24.11.2024
The absolute highlight of the beginning of winter this year is again Snow Festival, when the city centre and the Hupisaarten park are filled with one stunning work of light art after another. Seventeen dazzling works of light will be on display this year. The Lumo-light festival will take place in Oulu from 22-24.11.2024.
See the programme
Oulu Kauppahall Christmas Opening 29.-30.11.2024
Oulu Kauppahall's Christmas opening will take place 29.-30.11.2024. In the atmospheric atmosphere of the shopping hall, you can do your Christmas shopping from local producers and find wonderful gift ideas. The beautiful, old building of the Kauppahall is full of Christmas smells, tastes and atmosphere.
Traditional Tiernapoika competition 30.11.-1.12.2024
Traditional Animalnapoika competition 30.11.-1.12.2024 brings the Tiernapojat back on stage in Oulu. The tiernapper competition is open to all and will take place in a festive Christmas atmosphere. The aim of the competition is to contribute to the preservation and development of a living animal tradition. You can watch the Tiernapoika performances at Rotuaari Square!
Rotuaar Christmas Forest 1.-29.12.2024
This year again, an atmospheric Rotuaari Square will be built. Rotuaar's Christmas Forest with masses of Christmas trees and decorations. A larger Christmas forest offers a new experience in the heart of the city. See you in the Christmas Forest from 1 to 29 December!
Oulu's own Christmas market, Tiernatori 7.-22.12.2024
Oulu's own Christmas market Tiernatori takes over the city centre again! Tiernatori will be held this year in cooperation with Kädentaitajien Gift Shop in Oulu's Kauppurie Square, in front of the Valkea shopping centre from 7 to 22 December. Come and feel the Christmas atmosphere, enjoy the Christmas smells and flavours and do some gift shopping!
Christmas in the Vauhtipuisto 14.12.2024
Speed Park Christmas will be celebrated on Saturday 14.12. from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. It will be an unforgettable day full of Christmas magic and fun for the whole family!
The programme includes:
- Meet Santa Claus - tell your wish directly to the Korvatunturi!
- A sweet reindeer - come and admire these Christmas heroes!
- Pony rides - an absolute favourite with children!
- Christmas sales - find great Christmas gifts and treats!
- Reindeer Carousel & Coffee Cup Carousel - get into the Christmas spirit!
- Singing together - let's warm hearts by singing together!
- Christmas porridge - let's enjoy the flavours of Christmas!
Children's favourite attraction The Frenzy Park is located in In Nallikar by the sea, about five kilometres from the centre of Oulu.
Old-fashioned Christmas in Pikisaari
Come and experience the peace of Christmas Sailorhome museum! The old-fashioned Christmas traditions invite you to Matila's house. Located in the idyllic surroundings of Oulu's Pikisaari, the Seamen's Home Museum has beautiful Christmas windows that tell the story of Christmas in the old days. In the museum's Christmas shop, you can find presents to wrap in a Santa's trunk.
The museum is free and open to the public:
- 28.11.-15.12. tu-sun 11-17
- 19.-21.12. thru-sat 11-17
Santa Claus can be met at the Valkea Shopping Centre
Our friend Santa Claus is coming to visit Valkea Shopping Centre again to make everyone's Christmas day happy!
Santa Claus can be met on the 3rd floor of Valkea:
- Sat 16.11. at 11:00-12:00 / 15:00-16:00 / 16:00-17:00, plus Santa Claus greeting at 10.30 on the stage of Kesäkatu
- Sat 23.11. at 11:00-12:00 / 13:00-14:00 / 15:00-16:00. Note! Santa Claus' enchanted reception in the spirit of the Lumo Light Festival!
- Sat 7.12. at 11:00-12:00 / 13:00-14:00 / 15:00-16:00
- Sat 14.12. at 11:00-12:00 / 13:00-14:00 / 15:00-16:00
You can find the Santa Claus point on the 3rd floor lift lobby of Shopping Centre Valkea. You can leave letters addressed to Santa Claus in the mailbox at the counter when the shopping centre is open. Please bring your letter by Friday 20.12. at 12.00!
Christmas concerts with a Christmas feel
What would Christmas be without carols? Oulu All Star Big Band kicks off the Christmas season with young musicians at the Christmas big band concert Saturday 23.11. at 18.00 at the Theatre Hole. Soiva Hedgehog Orchestra Christmas concert will again bring the Christmas spirit of woolly stockings to us in the Valve Room of the House of Culture on Sunday 15.12. at 14:00.
Oulu Sinfonia present at the request of the public Snowman on the big screen with live music 10.12.2024. Christmas Oratorio in turn will be presented between 12.-14.12.2024.
Traditional The most beautiful Christmas carols events are an essential part of Christmas in Oulu. These caroling events are held in churches in the Oulu region, where you can sing your favourite Christmas carols together with the rest of the audience.
The best Christmas lunches in town
Oulu offers a diverse selection of Christmas lunches, inviting you to enjoy the traditional delicacies and festive atmosphere of the season. Restaurant in Nallikari traditional by the sea Christmas lunchwill be served from 9.12. - 20.12. on weekdays from 11-15. Bistoria Pation, by Christmas lunchs will be available on 21-23 December from 12-16 and on 24 December from 12-17.In addition, you can enjoy the traditional Christmas buffet on 25 December and a Christmas breakfast on 24-26 December from 8-11am.
Located right next to the Rotuaari Frans&Camillen the popular Christmas lunch will be served in the renovated, atmospheric premises from 9-23 December from 11-14. Frans & Camille's delicious and extensive Christmas buffet will be available from 24-25 December 2024 from 12-20pm. Radisson Blu Hotel Oulu The atmospheric Christmas lunch at Restaurant Hoffo is made of tasty Christmas treats, a stylishly decorated space and, of course, lovely people: the Christmas lunch is available from 9 to 20 December from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Experience the magical Christmas story of the Kippons!
Experience a magical story in a real fairytale forest and connect with the real thing Kippon with! Join us for the most magical Christmas storytelling experience while riding a pony!
The excursion is experienced together as parents lead their children on the backs of trained Kippons. This way, the experience is something to share with the family for a long time! The ponies are well-trained and calm, so no previous experience of leading a pony is necessary. You can also be led by a godparent, grandparent or other close adult.
Two adults per child can join the trip. The trip is also suitable for the youngest members of the family and you can also join the trip on foot.
The tours start from the cute Kipponi village of the horse farm in Haukiputa, where you can also find a small café.
The Kippon Christmas tours run from 19.12.2024-3.1.2025.
Winter fun in Oulu: skiing, skating and sledging!
Our northern city with its nearby nature offers a great setting for winter activities! Visit ski slopes are in excellent condition throughout the winter: the Sankivaara first snow slide was opened this year on 8.11. skating rinks invite you to chalk along the ice with the whole family! Also sledging invite you to play in the snow in places like Auranmaja, Virpiniemi and Ainolanpuisto near the centre of Oulu.
Or would you rather go on a guided tour to experience Oulu from a new perspective? Nallikari Safaris organises sliding shoe and ice fishing safaris open to all during the Christmas period!
Looking for a Christmas party programme?
Oulu offers plenty of options for spending the Christmas season! How about an exciting escape game Exit in Oulu, Oulu Ziplinen an upbeat rope slide on Nallikari beach or an atmospheric banquet Restaurant Puistola in the basement vaults of an Art Nouveau house over a century old? Also Radisson Blu Hotel in Oulu or RioLiven at the performing arts centre, you can book festive spaces and programmes for a larger group.
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