Oulu - Finland

Music trip to Oulu: European Capital of Culture 2026 in northern Finland

Oulu will be one of the European Capitals of Culture in 2026, making it the perfect excuse for a break in Finland.

Your trip can easily be planned for 4 to 5 days, with a clear focus on music and the Nordic lifestyle.

We offer three travel dates, each based on one of the city's most important music events. In March, the focus is on the Oulu Music Festival with classical concert evenings. This is followed in July by Oulu's big summer festival, and at the end of July, Elojazz puts the emphasis on jazz on a smaller scale.

The musical highlight

Choose your travel date to coincide with one of the three major music events in Oulu.

Oulu Music Festival from 9 to 22 March 2026

The Oulu Music Festival is the event for you if you want to experience Oulu in the quieter season. It mainly combines classical programmes. The festival dates for 2026 have been officially announced, and we will update the detailed programme as soon as the dates and artists have been finalised.

Qstock from 24 to 25 July 2026

Qstock is Oulu's big summer festival, lively and ideal if you want to experience the city on long summer days and combine it with a colourful festival atmosphere.

Elojazz from 30 July to 1 August 2026

Elojazz is the city's jazz festival and is perfect for a summer cultural trip to Oulu. It is a small, intimate festival in the heart of the city, including New Orleans-style Jazz Street, with music also played outdoors in the city centre.

Discover Oulu

Oulu is located in northern Finland on the Gulf of Bothnia, the northernmost part of the Baltic Sea, and will be the European Capital of Culture in 2026, offering a particularly diverse programme of music, art and events throughout the city.

My favourite place for a walk is Pikisaari, a small island just behind Kauppatori, the market square on the waterfront in the centre of the city. A footbridge takes you there quickly, where you can discover wooden houses, old shipyard ruins and studios.

Pikisaari used to be an industrial site and is now a lively artists' island.

For a trip to the surrounding area, I recommend Hailuoto, an island in the Gulf of Bothnia, about 50 kilometres west of Oulu.

You can easily get there without a hire car or taxi, by public bus, which stops at the Riutunkari ferry terminal in Oulunsalo.

From there, take the free ferry to Huikku on Hailuoto.

The crossing takes 30 minutes. On the island, you will experience a unique Nordic island feeling. From Marjaniemi harbour, it is worth climbing the 19th-century lighthouse, right next to the old pilot station. Wooden walkways lead from here through fine sand dunes directly to the sea, ideal for a long walk.

Your travel option

This trip is ideal for 4 to 5 days in Oulu around the respective festival date.

If you have a little more time, we will plan an additional night for you. If you would like to combine Oulu with a second stop, Helsinki is ideal as a pre- or post-programme, as the Finnish capital is the hub for travel by plane or ship.

In Oulu, we have three accommodations to choose from: Hotel Lasaretti on the Oulujoki River, Lapland Hotels Oulu centrally located next to the cathedral, or a river igloo on the water.

Your accommodation options

Hotel Lasaretti, Oulu

Hotel Lasaretti is located directly on the Oulujoki River, between Ainola Park and Hupisaaret City Park, and is about a 15-minute walk from the city centre.

Standard rooms offer views of the garden or river. Rooms are equipped with a desk and a television, among other amenities. A kettle and hairdryer are also provided. The bathroom features a rain shower. Breakfast buffet and Wi-Fi are included.

Koivurannan Iglut, River Igloo on the Oulujoki

If you are looking for accommodation in Oulu that feels truly special, the River Igloo is a great choice. You will stay in a high-quality igloo with panoramic glass and a glass roof, floating on the Oulujoki and moored to the jetty. It includes a private terrace directly above the water, perfect for your first coffee in the morning.

Inside, you will find a double bed. The igloo is heated and air-conditioned, so it remains comfortable in all weather conditions. For snacks, there is a kitchenette and a small refrigerated area for drinks and snacks.

The igloo has its own toilet, which is a composting, waterless toilet. For sauna and shower facilities, please use the floating sauna raft.

The city centre of Oulu is about 2.5 km away. The best way to get there is on foot or by bike, and the paths along the river are ideal for this. There is also a public bus service to the centre. And for the evening after the concert, a taxi is of course the most convenient solution.

Lapland Hotels Oulu

Lapland Hotels Oulu is located in the centre of Oulu, right next to the cathedral.

The Mystique Deluxe Room is a modern room category, perfect for a long weekend. The room has a seating area, a desk, a coffee and tea station, a minibar, a safe and Wi-Fi. The bathroom is equipped to a high standard and includes a hairdryer.

Before or after the concert, the pool with saunas is a real bonus. Breakfast is included.

Travel details

Travel option 1: Oulu Music Festival

Festival dates: 9 to 22 March 2026

Suggested 4 days: 12 to 15 March 2026

Travel option 2: Qstock

Festival dates: 24 to 25 July 2026

Suggested 4 days: 23 to 26 July 2026

Travel option 3: Elojazz

Festival dates: 30 July to 1 August 2026

Suggested 4 days: 30 July to 2 August 2026

We will tailor the exact travel period to your desired concert and reserve the tickets. You will receive a specific offer for each travel option.

Travel option 1: Oulu Music Festival

4 days: 12 to 15 March 2026 (3 nights)

Travel price including concert ticket for one event (Oulu Music Festival)

Accommodation: Hotel Lasaretti, standard room, breakfast included

Price: from €310 per person in a double room

Price: from €520 in a single room (double room for single use)

Accommodation: River Igloo (Koivurannan Iglut)

Price: from €300 per person based on double occupancy

Price: from €560 for single occupancy (igloo for single use)

Accommodation: Lapland Hotels Oulu, Mystique room, breakfast included

Price: from €380 per person in a double room

Price: from €630 in a single room (double room for single use)

Travel option 2: Qstock

4 days: 23 to 26 July 2026 (3 nights)

Travel price including Qstock 2-day pass: Admission on both festival days (Friday and Saturday)

Accommodation: Hotel Lasaretti, standard room, breakfast included

Price: from €480 per person in a double room

Price: from €760 in a single room (double room for single use)

Accommodation: River Igloo (Koivurannan Iglut)

Price: from €650 per person based on double occupancy

Price: from €1,110 for single occupancy (igloo for single use)

Accommodation: Lapland Hotels Oulu, Mystique room, breakfast included

Price: from €550 per person in a double room

Price: from €790 in a single room (double room for single use)

Travel option 3: Elojazz

4 days: 30 July to 2 August 2026 (3 nights)

Travel price includes concert ticket for one event (Elojazz Jazz Festival)

Accommodation: Hotel Lasaretti, standard room, breakfast included

Price: from €340 per person in a double room

Price: from €680 in a single room (double room for single use)

Accommodation: River Igloo (Koivurannan Iglut)

Price: from €540 per person based on double occupancy

Price: from €990 for single occupancy (igloo for sole use)

Accommodation: Lapland Hotels Oulu, Mystique room, breakfast included

Price: from €420 per person in a double room

Price: from €560 in a single room (double room for single use)

Your individual journey

You can fly to Helsinki and continue on to Oulu, or alternatively take a ship (e.g. from Travemünde) to Helsinki and then continue on to Oulu, depending on the connection by train or domestic flight. We will organise your entire journey to suit your desired times.

What is included in the price?

• Accommodation in your chosen accommodation in Oulu, 3 nights depending on your travel option
• Breakfast, if included in the accommodation, for example at Hotel Lasaretti or Lapland Hotels Oulu
• 1 concert ticket for the selected festival or a 2-day festival pass for the Qstock Festival
• Music Travel Hideaways Special: Your compact Oulu 2026 City Guide with personally selected insider tips.

Booking and enquiries

We will tailor this trip to your individual needs. We can arrange additional nights, a Helsinki programme and further concert evenings on request.

Simply send us a brief message with your desired travel dates, room occupancy and preferred festival, and we will send you a personalised quote.

To the non-binding booking enquiry

Would you like to take more music trips to Finland?

Discover our Finland music trips, such as the Savonlinna Opera Festival