Everything with a little seasalt
No strings attached
In the summer, Oulu lures bands and performers from all over the world. We’d like to think it’s because we’re on the edge here, geographically, but the mentality is somewhat special as well. The short but intense arctic summer really brings out the best in us – and the weirdest of us.
From a world renowned air guitaring get-together, Air Guitar World Championships, to metal, indie and pop events, Oulu hosts several festivals during the summer. In addition to guitars without strings, the centrally located Kuusisaari island, “Kuuska”, hosts easy-to-get-to music events all the way til the end of August. Kuuska Soi, “The Sound of Kuuska” ends the summer season. The locals really know how to pre-party, party and after-party, filling the streets, parks and river banks in groups of friends.
So picnic away or, if tablecloths and good service are more your thing, find the restaurants in Pikisaari or by the market place for delicious menus full of local treats. The festival areas also cater to all tastes from vegan to pasture raised.
Local breweries bring their best to quench
your thirst.
Just a little bättre
Along the Arctic seaside, festivals are literally organised on strips of land or little islands, so wherever you look, there’s a view. And the sound of sea.
If you’re early, and lucky, you just might grab tickets to Bättre Folk in the Hailuoto island next to Oulu, a tiny festival with just a few thousand tickets for sale. This indie event brings people from all around Finland to embrace the atmosphere, listen to bands as well as writers on a stage built on a small jetty surrounded by the roaring sea.
Without the big crowds, with local food producers serving freshly caught perch and burgers from cattle that grazes the fields on the very same island, you just can’t help but feel a little bättre. Organic all the way, buy a bottle of wine or locally brewed beer, sit down on a rock covered with a traditional Finnish rug, and toast to the seagulls.
Organic all the way.
Island-Hopping in the Scenic Archipelago
To finish your roadtrip, head to the Raahe Archipelago, also nominated as the Finnish Outdoor Destination 2016. Take a short cruise, spend a lovely summer day on an island, learn about nature formed by post-glacial rebound on a nature trail, savour the peace of uninhabited islands and enjoy the lovely beaches. See the historical wooden lighthouses on islands of Iso-Kraaseli and Tasku built in 1853.
And have you heard of the gem of Sea Lapland, Kemi? In Kemi, you’ll experience the best of both worlds with a single visit: the exotic charm of Lapland coupled with stunning seaside views.
The summer goes out in a flame.
Protect the sea
Although ever present, the beloved sea is never taken for granted. Every year, on the last Thursday in August, we celebrate Baltic Sea Day. So while you visit, join the locals in thinking of concrete ways of protecting it – pick up your litter, or someone else’s, should it catch your eye?