Festival of Cultures 2026

Festival of Cultures – one of the biggest community events of the University of Oulu – showcases the rich variety of cultures represented in our community. Join the cultural celebration in Oulu!

Festival of Cultures programme is designed and organized by culture teams – consisting of the students and staff members of the University of Oulu and Oulu University of Applied Sciences. Culture teams hold interactive workshops, musical performances, dance shows or other activities highlighting diversity, and all the different fusions of cultures represented within our university community. We will also have activities outside the university, for example, storytelling by the fire and forest walks.

In addition to the culture teams we will invite our global partners to join international staff week, which will be organized during the Festival of Cultures week. There will be city labs, art, and exchange opportunities. On Thursday evening 26.11.2026 we will hear Sámi music ensemble Ulla Pirttijärvi and Ulda in Saalasti Hall. More detailed program for the week will be published closer to the event dates.

The Festival of Cultures' events are open to all Oulu residents and visitors. Event organizers in the culture teams must however be either students or staff members from the University of Oulu or Oulu University of Applied Sciences (Ouas). The whole event program will be held in English.

Questions and inquiries: festivalofcultures@oulu.fi