Events in Kuhmo
Kuhmo is known as a vibrant cultural town with events taking place every week. Events organised by the City’s Culture and Event Services complement Kuhmo’s diverse year-round event programme. Below you can find a selection of annual events and events that have become established traditions at certain times of the year.
KUHMO MUSIC INSTITUTE STUDENT CONCERTS AND DANCE PERFORMANCES
Kuhmo Music Institute organises student concerts and dance performances every month during the spring and autumn terms at Kuhmo Arts Centre. Festive end-of-term events featuring music and dance students are held in May and December. Admission is free.
KUHMO WANHAT – UPPER SECONDARY SCHOOL DANCE
Kuhmo Upper Secondary School and the Kuhmo Big Entertainment Orchestra present a spectacular traditional Finnish Wanhat dance event at Kuhmo Arts Centre.
KUHMO WINTER
Kuhmo Winter brings together Kuhmo’s internationally recognised cultural event organisers, enthusiasts and artists. The programme includes music in many forms, theatre, dance, exhibitions and literature.
Kuhmo Winter is organised by Juminkeko, Kuhmo Arts Centre, Kuhmo Chamber Music, the City of Kuhmo’s Culture and Event Services, Petola Nature Centre and Sommelo. The event, which had been organised since 2009, was put on hold in 2025 due to anticipated cuts in cultural funding.
PEURAHIIHTO SKI EVENT
Peurahiihto has been organised since 1979, first by the Municipality of Kuhmo and later by the City of Kuhmo, in cooperation with the local ski club Kuhmon Kiva and subsequently Kuhmo-Ski.
In its early years, participants skied long distances through the forest reindeer habitats and along the Kuhmo–Lentiira route. In recent years, the routes have focused on the Kalevala Ski Centre, Sports Centre, Harakkasaari, Hepokangas and Tulijärvi areas.
KALEVALA WEEK
Juminkeko organises a variety of events during Kalevala Week, celebrating Finnish folk tradition, language and culture.
Kalevala Week begins on 21 February, International Mother Language Day, when the City of Kuhmo’s Culture and Event Services organise a literature-themed lecture. The week culminates on 28 February with the Kalevala Day celebration, featuring music and the presentation of cultural awards for young people.
The celebration is organised in cooperation with Culture and Event Services, Juminkeko and Kuhmo’s cultural organisations.
SHROVETIDE EVENT
A Shrovetide event for the whole family, organised by Kuhmo Parish at the parish centre and its surroundings on Shrove Sunday.
JÄMÄSVAARAHIIHTO SKI EVENT
Usually held in March, Jämäsvaarahiihto offers participants an opportunity to ski along traditional cross-country ski tracks through wilderness scenery. Campfire sites have been located at Jämäshovi and Heplampi. The event is organised by Kuhmon Lentua-seura.
MOONLIGHT SKIING
An atmospheric full-moon skiing event held in February or March for moon lovers and cross-country skiing enthusiasts alike. The event is organised by the City of Kuhmo in cooperation with the local ski club Kuhmo-Ski.
HANKIKORRI EVENT
Hankikorri is a fly-fishing event in Kuhmo focusing on springtime fishing when aquatic insects begin to emerge through the snow. In addition to fishing, the event may include competitions and a Hankikorri Gala.
The event is organised by Hotel Kainuu and Kuhmon perhokalastajat ry.
ARHIPPA PERTTUNEN SYMPOSIUM
Juminkeko organises the annual Arhippa Perttunen Symposium on 25 April.
EVENING FOR NEW KUHMO RESIDENTS
Welcome to get to know Kuhmo and meet other new residents!
The Evening for New Kuhmo Residents is held annually in April or May. All children born in Kuhmo during the previous year and their families are invited, along with residents who moved to Kuhmo during the previous year or the current spring.
During the evening, you can learn about Kuhmo’s services, events and recreational opportunities and meet other new residents. A registration link will be published during the spring.
MAY DAY
Over the years, May Day celebrations in Kuhmo have included a May Day market, discos or dances at Kelo, May Day brunches, orienteering events, family activities and other events.
DREAMS OF EXERCISE DAY
Dreams of Exercise Day is built around people’s own ideas, experiments and activities organised together across different groups and communities. It is a pop-up day celebrating all forms of physical activity, where anyone can participate or organise an activity.
SUOMI SOI CONCERTS
Suomi soi concerts are mainly held on Monday evenings at the Kide outdoor stage and Café Juttua at Kuhmo Arts Centre from early June to early July.
The Suomi soi evenings provide performance opportunities for a variety of artists and performers. If you are interested in performing, please contact the City of Kuhmo’s Event Producer.
SOMMELO ETHNO MUSIC FESTIVAL
Sommelo was first organised in its current form as a summer folk music festival in 2006. Its roots lie in folk music research carried out in Kuhmo since the late 1990s. The aim was to transform the knowledge and understanding gained through research projects into living music while also giving audiences an opportunity to explore different forms of folk music through both research and concert experiences.
JOUTSENTANSSI – KUHMO DANCE FESTIVAL
Joutsentanssi – Kuhmo Dance Festival is a contemporary dance festival in Kuhmo whose annual themes draw inspiration from nature.
First organised in 2018, the festival’s core idea is to combine nature, dance and creativity into a unique cultural experience.
KUHMO SUMMER MUSICIANS
Kuhmo’s Summer Musicians have brought live music to the town’s summers since 1994. Each year, Kuhmo Music Institute and the City’s Culture and Event Services bring together and support young music students working as “town musicians”.
They perform at Café Juttua at Kuhmo Arts Centre and at various other early-summer events in Kuhmo, including Suomi soi concerts. The Summer Musicians can also be booked for private events and performances.
More information about the Summer Musicians is available on the Kuhmo Music Institute website.
OPEN VILLAGES – FINLAND’S LARGEST VILLAGE EVENT
Open Villages Day, Finland’s largest village event, takes place across the country in mid-June.
The events offer a glimpse into village life, community spirit, local services and businesses. Activities range from village cafés and countryside markets to dances, excursions, museum days and music. Village shops also participate, with some celebrating their own special day at the same time.
LOG DRIVING EVENT AND FINNISH CHAMPIONSHIPS
Kuhmo comes alive in summer with the traditions of Finnish log driving!
Held approximately every other year in the rushing waters of Pajakkakoski Rapids, the event brings together competitors and spectators for exciting Finnish Championship competitions in log driving, poling and other traditional log-driving disciplines.
A log-driving camp held in connection with the event offers a unique opportunity to learn traditional skills and experience the excitement of navigating the rapids safely under experienced guidance. The log-driving event and camp have also been organised in years without the Finnish Championships.
The event is organised by Kuhmon Tapahtumat ry with support from the City of Kuhmo.
HILPEÄ HEINÄKUU – JULY FOR CHILDREN
Hilpeä heinäkuu is a month-long summer event for children and families. Associations and businesses throughout Kuhmo contribute to a diverse programme of activities and individual events. In 2025, there were nearly 80 events to choose from.
FLY-IN
Kuhmo Aviation Club has organised its Fly-In event for several years during the Kuhmo Chamber Music Festival. The event is organised by Kuhmo Aviation Club.
ROMPEPÄIVÄT
A traditional classic and hobby vehicle gathering and flea market event held in Kuhmo during the weekend between the two weeks of the Kuhmo Chamber Music Festival.
The event is organised by Kuhmon Mobilistit ry.
KUHMO CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL
During its history of more than 50 years, Kuhmo Chamber Music has become an institution in both the Finnish and international chamber music world.
The festival, held every July, is renowned for the unique spirit of Kuhmo, its relaxed atmosphere and exceptionally high-quality chamber music performed year after year by some of the world’s most highly regarded chamber musicians.
Kuhmo Chamber Music is organised by Kuhmon Musiikkiyhdistys ry.
KUHMO SUMMER THEATRE
Founded in 1961, Kuhmon Nuorisoseura ry organises summer theatre performances in Kuhmo. Performances usually begin around the turn of June and July.
NIGHT OF THE ARTS
Kuhmo’s Night of the Arts, traditionally held on the second Friday of September, is an evening full of experiences, surprises and community spirit.
The event brings together local organisations, performers and residents. It is organised by the City of Kuhmo in cooperation with various local organisations.
HOBBY FAIR
TULKUA TERVEH VILLAGE FESTIVAL & WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS IN COFFEE SIPPING FROM A SAUCER
RÖMPPÄVIIKOT CULTURAL WEEKS
Römppäviikot are traditional cultural weeks featuring a diverse programme of music, exhibitions and theatre.
Traditionally, Römppä was a time when people celebrated, returned to their home region and enjoyed the new products of the harvest season. The Römppä weeks also coincide with Kekri, the traditional Finnish harvest celebration, and Father’s Day.
Businesses, associations and individuals organise their own activities as part of Römppäviikot, while the programme is coordinated by the City’s Culture and Event Services.
If you would like your programme to be included in Römppäviikot, please contact the City of Kuhmo’s Event Producer.
CHILDREN’S RÖMPPÄ
An event for the whole family, organised by the City’s Culture and Event Services in cooperation with local associations and other organisations.
FINNISH INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION – 6 DECEMBER
On Finnish Independence Day, Maanpuolustusnaiset light candles at the war graves. This is followed by a church service and the laying of wreaths in the churchyard, at the war graves and at memorials dedicated to victims of partisan attacks.
The Independence Day celebration at Kuhmo Arts Centre includes coffee and a ceremonial programme. The event is organised by civic organisations, Kuhmo Parish and the City of Kuhmo.
CHRISTMAS OPENING
NEW YEAR
Contact
Johanna Vilhunen
Event Producer
Tel. +358 40 558 3904
johanna.vilhunen@kuhmo.fi
