Celebrating community and coming together in August
The Our Kuopio Festival will once again take place on 14.8. – 30.8.2026, offering a diverse program of culture, community spirit and art across the city—from local neighbourhoods to the countryside. You can already get into the festival mood with a variety of pre-events, and the extensive program offers something for everyone, regardless of age or interests. Events organized by residents and local associations showcase the true spirit of the festival: it is created together by the community. Anyone can take part, whether as a visitor or as an event organizer.
The festival’s diverse program offers experiences ranging from circus performances and music to sports, community events and international activities. Most events are free of charge and open to everyone. You can find the Our Kuopio Festival program in the Kuopion Seinä event calendar: www.kuopionseina.fi/tapahtumakategoria/meidan-kuopio-festivaali/ In addition, a festival map will be created to help visitors easily navigate between the various events and make the most of the festival experience.
The festival kicks off on 14.8. with the Back 2 School Party, a celebration for children and young people. The day concludes with an anti-bullying walk around the Pond Valkeisenlampi. Neighbourhood events will take place throughout the festival: in Kelloniemi and Old Haapaniemi on 16.8. in Niirala on 22.8 and in Särkiniemi on 15.8. and 25.8 as part of the Särkkäri Bridge Festival and Harvest Celebration. In addition, Brynolf pre-party will be held at the Juankoski Library on 14.8, while the Nilsiä Festival of the Arts will take place on 21.8.
Together we make things better
Residents and local associations play the leading role in the Our Kuopio Festival. The City of Kuopio acts as the festival coordinator, providing guidance and support for event organizers. Organizers have also been able to apply for Our Kuopio funding, which supports activities created by associations, communities and residents. The city also supports the festival through marketing efforts, increasing its visibility across the city and on social media, and by bringing together the program in an accessible format so residents can easily find events.
The experiences and feedback gathered during the festival are equally valuable. By collecting feedback from both visitors and event organisers, the festival can continue to grow and improve.
The Night of Arts welcomes everyone
Our Kuopio Festival culminates on Friday 28.8 with the annual Night of Arts, when cultural institutions across the city come with a wide variety of activities and performances throughout the day. Admission to the city’s museums is free from 12 to 21 and visitors can enjoy art, culture and different activities at numerous locations around Kuopio. Night of Arts events are open to everyone and mostly free of charge. Last year, the event attracted nearly 11 000 visitors to the city’s museums.
The strong interest in cultural programming demonstrates a clear demand for accessible events, that are easy for everyone to attend. Supporting culture helps strengthen Kuopio’s urban culture, foster a sense of community and energize local civic activity.
