The City of Rovaniemi invites residents and visitors to celebrate midsummer at Koskipuisto on Friday, 19 June from 4:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The free family-friendly event offers a warm atmosphere, community spirit and experiences for all ages. The evening culminates in the traditional midsummer bonfire at 8:30 p.m.
At this free, citywide midsummer event, attendees will enjoy local music, sing-alongs, workshops and participatory programming suitable for the whole family. The evening will be hosted by Siiri Partanen.
The day begins at 4:00 p.m. with a free afternoon dance at Valdemari, where the Ässät orchestra will get the midsummer crowd dancing. The programme at Koskipuisto begins with a cheerful and engaging concert by the Rovaniemi-based children’s orchestra Kolme Varista.
The early evening will also feature a fashion and music performance by members of Rovaniemi’s Ukrainian community, as well as a participatory cattle-calling workshop led by folk singer Heidi Kenttälä.
Siepakat, Kunnan Pojat, Maria Vinberg and Baabelin Nulikat
At 6:00 p.m., the Chair of Rovaniemi City Council, Eemeli Kajula, will declare the Finnish summer night open with the traditional “Finnish Summer” speech, followed by a participatory dance performance by Siepakat.
The evening’s music will be provided by Kunnan Pojat together with singer-songwriter Maria Vinberg. Kunnan Pojat is the City of Rovaniemi’s own orchestra, known for their community performances and versatile repertoire. Maria Vinberg, in turn, is a Rovaniemi-based singer-songwriter and troubadour. The second headline act of the evening will be the duo Baabelin Nulikat with their special show.
“We want to offer the people of Rovaniemi a diverse midsummer celebration where people can enjoy a summer evening together with family and friends. The programme highlights local performers, a sense of community, and midsummer traditions,” says cultural producer Roosa Nevala.
The event is free of charge and open to all. Throughout the evening, activity stations will be available on site, including face painting, giant soap bubbles, yard games and play activities led by 4H entrepreneurs, as well as opportunities to make sauna whisks (vasta) and flower crowns, while materials last. Koskipuisto also offers excellent surroundings for a picnic, and food vendors will be on site.
Attendees are encouraged to arrive on foot or by bicycle, as parking is limited.
National costumes bring colour to the Midsummer Celebration
As part of the Midsummer celebration, people of all cultures and backgrounds are invited to join the "Airing of National Costumes" event. Participants are welcome to wear their national costume, traditional dress, or even just a single accessory or element of one.
Those dressed in national costumes will gather at the Old Market Square (Vanha tori, Pirkkakatu 1) at 4:30 p.m., from where the group will walk together as a colourful parade to Koskipuisto for the midsummer festivities.
If they wish, participants can share stories about their costume, its history, or their own cultural background during an interview moment with the event host. The event aims to celebrate cultural diversity and traditions while encouraging people to wear and share their national costumes in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. People of all ages are warmly welcome!
Midsummer celebration for the whole family
Friday, 19 June 2026, 4:00 p.m.–8:30 p.m.
Ounaskoski beach and park area, Jäämerentie 9, Rovaniemi
Free admission
PROGRAMME ON STAGE
4:00 p.m. Kolme Varista – children’s music concert
4:50 p.m. Sirkus Taika-Aika – circus performance
5:00 p.m. Ukrainian fashion and music
5:15 p.m. Cattle-calling workshop – folk singer Heidi Kenttälä
6:00 p.m. Declaration of the Finnish Summer: Chair of Rovaniemi City Council Eemeli Kajula, folk singer Heidi Kenttälä, dance performance by Siepakat
6:40 p.m. Kunnan Pojat & Maria Vinberg
7:30 p.m. Baabelin Nulikat: Vaarallinen juhannus 3: Iskelmäristeily
8:30 p.m. Midsummer bonfire is lit
Hosted by: Siiri Partanen
THROUGHOUT THE EVENING ON SITE
• Face painting
• Flower crown crafting
• Sauna whisk (vasta) making station
• Games and activity stations for children, led by 4H young entrepreneurs
• Circus workshops by Sirkus Taika-Aika
• Food vendors in the event area
• Bring your own picnic and yard games!
AIRING OF NATIONAL COSTUMES
Dress in a national costume, traditional outfit or parts of one and join in celebrating cultural diversity. Gathering at the Old Market Square (Vanha tori, Pirkkakatu 1) at 4:30 p.m., from where the group will walk together as a procession to the midsummer celebration. People of all ages are warmly welcome.