Oulu2026 – Raahe's Programme
Oulu2026 – Raahe's Programme
Northern Finland celebrates culture in 2026. Raahe takes part in the Oulu2026 European Capital of Culture year together with 39 northern municipalities.
Hear culture calling
In 2026, Oulu and all of Northern Finland will be filled with culture, art and events. The “Cultural Climate Change” combines art, technology and community in new ways – creating encounters, new connections and interaction.
The European Capital of Culture year is significant for all of Finland. The anniversary year will bring Northern Finland’s diverse culture into the European spotlight, strengthen the position of cultural actors, and highlight the role of culture as a builder of regional vitality as part of the European cultural community.
On this page you’ll find information about Raahe’s official Oulu2026 programme. The full offering of the European Capital of Culture year is available on the Oulu2026 website.
European Capital of Culture programme in Raahe – more to come!
Raahe celebrates the Oulu2026 year all weekend long across the city! The new Koivuluoto Arena will be officially opened, museums will showcase the results of two years of development with open doors, and Tapahtumatalo Raahe will resonate with the power of a grand orchestra. Expect memorable experiences, a celebratory atmosphere, and activities for the whole family.
Koivuluoto Arena: Official Opening Ceremony of Koivuluoto Areena and City-wide Oulu2026 Disco
- Date & time: Friday 23 January | 6:00–22:00 PM
- Venue: Koivuluoto Arena, Koivuluodontie 4, Raahe
Official Opening Ceremony of Koivuluoto Arena | 6:00–7:00 PM
- The programme includes a greeting from the city, a ceremonial speech, the official ribbon-cutting, and dance performances by Funky Hall SODAP and the Raahe Women’s Gymnastics Club.
- Hosts: Jenna Lämsä and Heimo Ylikulju
City-wide Oulu2026 Disco | 7:00–10:00 PM
- An alcohol-free, family-friendly retro disco! The evening is hosted by legendary DJ Jusa – with a theme of 90s hits and well-loved favourites. The programme includes a limbo contest, a music quiz, a classic dance competition, and the much-loved Wishes and Greetings segment familiar from Kuusela discos.
- Before the disco, warm up together at a family dance session! This easy and fun dance moment invites everyone to learn simple dance moves to familiar — and delightfully surprising — hit songs. Join in at your own pace, relaxed and in your own style.
- Hosts: Jenna Lämsä and Heimo Ylikulju
Spend the whole evening enjoying the festive atmosphere of the new arena, or take part according to your own schedule — attend just the opening ceremony or the disco. Local sports clubs’ kiosks will offer small snacks throughout the evening.
Coming up: a city-wide dance challenge! Follow the City of Raahe on social media during the Christmas–New Year period and challenge yourself and your friends to join the rhythm of the opening celebrations.
Free admission – welcome!
If possible, leave your car at home and arrive on foot or by bicycle.
Parking is available at the following locations:
- Koivuluoto Arena, Koivuluodontie 4
- E. Majava Arena, Uimahallintie 6
- Kuntokeidas Vesipekka Indoor Swimming and Sport Centre, Uimahallintie 8.
Koivuluoto Arena: AS Moon (Women) vs. Vieska Futsal (Women)
- Date & time: Saturday 24 January | 1:00 PM
- Venue: Koivuluoto Arena, Koivuluodontie 4, Raahe
Excitement and fast-paced action for futsal fans!
Koivuluoto Arena: HIPHEI – an active family event
- Date & time: Sunday 25 January | 10:00 AM–2:00 PM
- Venue: Koivuluoto Arena, Koivuluodontie 4, Raahe
A variety of activity stations for young children, organised together with local sports clubs. Come and explore the new Koivuluoto Arena and enjoy the joy of movement with the whole family!
“On the Wings of Music” – Gala Concert
- Date & time: Saturday 24 January at 6:00 PM (duration approx. 1 hour)
- Venue: Raahesali, Tapahtumatalo Raahe, Kirkkokatu 28, 2nd floor, Raahe
- Free tickets available from 12 January at Raahe Event House/Raahesali ticket office.
Raahe Sinfonietta and the Raahe Wind Orchestra join forces on Saturday evening for a magnificent gala concert marking the opening weekend.
The programme features well-known classical works, newer orchestral compositions, and film music.
The concert includes performances by various ensembles as well as a large combined orchestra. The musical experience is enhanced by atmospheric visual material portraying Raahe, produced in collaboration with Lybecker Media Centre.
Raahe Sinfonietta is an orchestra made up of current and former students and teachers of the Raahe Music Institute. For years, it has captivated audiences with its versatile and nuanced programmes at concerts and celebratory events alike.
The Raahe Wind Orchestra consists of a broad and changing group of music enthusiasts and professional musicians. The orchestra has performed extensively in Raahe for decades.
Conductors: Ewa Tracz-Lejman and Petri Aho
Open Doors to Raahe Museums That Entice All the Senses
Opening hours:
- Saturday 24 January, 2:00–4:00 PM
- Sunday 25 January, 12:00–4:00 PM
Venues:
- Packhouse Museum, Rantakatu 33, Raahe
- Crown Granary Museum, Merikatu 10, Raahe
Welcome to explore the latest additions at Raahe’s museums! Museum staff will be on hand to guide visitors through new content where history meets modern presentation techniques.
At the Packhouse Museum, augmented reality brings history to life: visitors can, among other things, explore the target of the imperial kiss.
At the Crown Granary Museum, you can try steering a sailing ship to the roadstead in a 3D environment using a real ship’s wheel, or discover steelmaking at Rautaruukki’s Raahe factory by playing a retro-style side-scrolling game.
On the Takaranta Art Path, nature and art meet. Citizens of all ages create artworks from biodegradable materials for outdoor visitors to enjoy: art tents, straw ornaments made from beach ryegrass, and spinners made from natural fibres and wood.
The 1.8 km path near the city centre is suitable for walking, running and cycling. The Art Path evolves and changes over the years. It opens in early June 2026. Starting point e.g. Ilolinnantie 48, Pitkäkari.
The Art Path opening will be celebrated on Wed, April 29 at 5:00 p.m. at Pitkänkari School, Rantakatu 5 C.
Designer Ritva-Liisa Pohjalainen’s extensive 50th Anniversary Exhibition Touch of Beauty takes visitors on an extraordinary journey through Finnish design: glass art, silver jewellery, unique evening gowns, scale models, rya rugs, ceramics and steel sculptures. The jubilee exhibition showcases an uncompromising and versatile artist.
Exhibition venues
- Raahe Event House: Myötätuuli Gallery and Raahesali Lobby Gallery, Kirkkokatu 28
- Raahe City Library, Rantakatu 45
- Sovelius Museum, Rantakatu 36
The opening will be celebrated on Saturday, 13 June 2026.
Since 2017, the “House and Environment of the Year” award has recognised sites in Old Town Raahe. From 2026 onwards, deeds and phenomena will also be honoured. The recognition raises interest in revitalising the historic wooden town and brings appreciation to exemplary guardians of cultural heritage.
The award will be presented at the Pooki Flakkaa – Raahe Maritime Festival, taking place at Rantatori Square (Rantakatu 39) on Saturday, 11 July.
A community food event at Raahe’s Härkätori Square (Laivurinkatu 24) as part of Raahe’s Night of the Arts. The Long Table Dinner brings people together to enjoy local flavours, performing arts and good company on a late summer evening. Everyone is invited to the long table and northern flavours – whether to taste dishes from local food vendors or enjoy your own picnic basket.
The event concept originates from Oulu2026 Arctic Food Lab’s main event Long Table Dinner.
The Raahe Book Fair showcases the rich diversity of literary art in an engaging and approachable way. During the event, visitors can enjoy artist talks, theatre performances, literature-themed film screenings and art exhibitions. The fair also includes a sales event featuring books, records and music.
There is programme for all age groups, and the theme for the 2026 fair is internationality. Welcome to experience the full spectrum of literature and art!
On the first weekend of October, Raahe Event House (Kirkkokatu 28) will be transformed into a miniature world of light, shadow and art. Works created by children, young people and adults will turn every corner of the cultural house into a unique experience.
The artworks are created by local comprehensive schools, the upper secondary school, Lybecker Media Centre, and Raahe-based artists.
Raahe’s official Capital of Culture programme will also include, among others, Raahe Soi Music Week and the School Graduation Weekend. In addition to new events, the Oulu2026 calendar will be enriched by Raahe’s traditional annual festivities, for example Pekanpäivät Heritage Festival, Raahe Maritime Festival, Raahen Pimiät Festival and the Night of the Arts.
The City of Raahe’s official Oulu2026 programme is continuously being updated! See the regional offerings on the Visit Raahe website and the full European Capital of Culture 2026 programme on the Oulu2026 event calendar.
Raahe Museum That Entice All the Senses
Museums are among Raahe’s flagship projects during the European Capital of Culture year. Raahe Museum has prepared for this by making major leaps towards more engaging and accessible museum experiences.
In 2026, Raahe’s fascinating museums will be open with extended visiting hours. The Packhouse Museum and the Crown Granary Museum will open to the public on 24 January. Please check the opening hours for all museums on the Raahe Museum website.
At the Crown Granary Museum, visitors can board a sailing ship in the On the Home Lane game and steer it towards an anchorage (the “roads”) near the home harbour. At Story Corner, visitors will hear and see depictions of life in old Raahe: The Lath Ladies conversation sheds light on the work and lives of women at the sawmill, The Countess of Raahe tells of a sailor’s widow struggling to make a living without her husband’s financial and social support, while The Offer That Cannot Be Dismissed recounts the true story of a wealthy merchant’s illegitimate daughter who became a sea captain’s wife.
More recent history also features in the Crown Granary’s new content: the city’s largest industrial enterprise, Rautaruukki, is presented not only with extensive informational material but also with a playful twist through the retro-style side-scrolling game Let’s Make Steel.
At the Crown Granary Museum, you will also find a world-famous rarity: the world's oldest diving suit, the Old Gentleman.
At the Packhouse Museum, the unique atmosphere and abundance of objects have been carefully preserved. However, augmented reality has been added, which visitors can access using a smartphone or tablet. Through AR, Saint Agatha, the giant turtle, “syltpata” and the target of the imperial kiss come to life – as does work-related conversations between sea captains in Liverpool harbour.
Also the Ojala Local Museum at Pattijoki and Saloinen Local Museum as well as the Old Pharmacy are being prepared for the European Capital of Culture year: by autumn 2025, virtual tours will be completed, allowing exploration of the sites anytime, anywhere.
A particularly wonderful aspect is that much of the new content has been produced locally! In addition to museum staff, residents of Raahe, students and third-sector organisations have contributed significantly.
Alongside the new exhibitions and experiences, development work has also focused on improving accessibility in the museum sites, so that as many different kinds of visitors as possible can enjoy a successful and safe museum experience. Even small improvements can lead to major advances in accessibility!
Come and experience history, explore the exhibitions, and enjoy your museum visit.
Apply for a cultural grant or an event grant
The application period for Raahe’s Oulu2026 cultural grants has ended. The City of Raahe’s event grants for 2026 will open for applications on 10 December 2025. Read more about the event grant (in Finnish).
Welcome to join us in celebrating Northern culture, art and events – together!
Piritta Rossi
tel. +358 44 439 3330
piritta.rossi [at] raahe.fi (piritta[dot]rossi[at]raahe[dot]fi)
Johanna Rautio
Starting from the beginning of 2026
annekristiina.tuovinen [at] raahe.fi (johanna[dot]rautio[at]raahe[dot]fi)
Terhi Eteläinen
tel. +358 40 130 3884
terhi.etelainen [at] raahe.fi (terhi[dot]etelainen[at]raahe[dot]fi)