Every year, the entrepreneurs, associations, residents, and other Christmas enthusiasts of Kuhmo come together to organize a Christmas events in Kuhmo. As the holiday season approaches, dozens of charming, illuminated Christmas trees appear on the snowy streets of Kuhmo, drawing visitors even from afar. Join us & experience Christmas in Kuhmo and welcome the New Year 2025!
Mon 4.11. – Sun 1.12. Tuupala Students’ Art Exhibition: EMOTIONS, Kuhmo Arts Centre
Music-focused education, MUP celebrates its 40th anniversary in Kuhmo. The anniversary exhibition, located in the foyer of Kuhmo Arts Centre, presents Tuupala School students’ art exhibit “EMOTIONS.” Open during the Kuhmo Arts Centre’s operating hours.
Fri 15.11. YESTERDAY – TODAY, Kaseva 50 years, 19:00 – 20:00, Kuhmo Arts Centre, 32€/28€
The YESTERDAY – TODAY 50 YEARS TOUR features Kaseva, the legendary Finnish pop-rock band known for its delicate music and harmonized vocals. Many of the band’s hits (Mari, Vanha mies, Tyhjää, Striptease tanssija, Pena, Kun maailma elää, etc.) have been part of the Finnish cultural memory since 1974. Kaseva’s classic songs continue to resonate, and the band’s refined sensitivity and charisma have only deepened over the years, with a fan base that now spans three generations. Their long-awaited return was a critical and popular success in 2023, and their 50th-anniversary tour, launched in spring 2024, now arrives in Kuhmo. Discounted tickets until the end of July!
Kaseva members: Matti Mikkonen, vocals and guitar; Jouko Järvinen, bass and vocals; Nils Jokela, drums; Tommi Kekoni, guitar and vocals.
17.11. Valon odotus -concert (Anticipation of Light) 16:00–17:00, Kuhmo Arts Centre The traditional concert of the Kuhmon Puhallinmusiikin Ystävät ry and the Kuhmo Music School. The concert is a memorial concert for Riho Mägi and Heiki Kalaus. Free admission.
Tue 19.11. Joyful Evening of Music organized by Kuhmo Chamber Music, 17:30 – 20:00, Chamber Music Center, Amati Café
DJ Antero Komulainen will play records by The Beatles. The café offers coffee, tea, pastries, and festival shop items for sale. Warmly welcome!
Kuhmo Christmas Opening 22.11.2024, 16:00–19:30
- Opening ceremony of Kuhmo Christmas in the town square, at Kide Performance stage 17:00–17:30.
- Kuhmo Mayor Juhana Juntunen opens the Christmas season.
- The lights on the large Christmas tree are lit.
- Presentation and interview of the 2024 “Sammontakoja” Olli Salminen.
- Recognition of award-winning local entrepreneurs by the City.
- Christmas sing-along.
- Traditional Christmas ham raffle. Raffle tickets will be available closer to the event at the local newspaper Kuhmolainen, Kaesa’s Cafe, Hotel Kainuu, and Rusasen Kulma from the morning of 22.11.
- Sausages, gingerbread cookies, glögi (mulled wine) and coffee will be sold by Kuhmo Kiva-Lentis ry.
Christmas in Kalevala 16:00–23:30
- Bus transport from Kuhmo square to Kuhmo Kelo, departing at 17:45, and returning from Kuhmo Kelo to Kuhmo Square at 19:45.
- Christmas market at Kuhmo Kelo, 16:00–19:30. Table rental €15. Reserve a spot with Hannu Lehtonen: hannu.lehtonen@kuhmo.fi or 045 2709100. Café open during the market. Sausages sold outside by Kuhmo Kiva-Lentis ry.
- Meet Santa Claus, 17:30–19:00. Starting from Pohjolan Talo.
- Corvus Beat – dance and pop music, 20:00–23:30. Tickets 15€/10€.
The Kuhmo Entrepreneurs Association is organizing Kuhmo’s Christmas opening in collaboration with the City of Kuhmo. The evening program after 20:00 is organized by Kalevala Juhlatakomo.
Sat 23.11. MLL’s Little Christmas Obstacle Course, 10:00 – 12:00, Rajakatu Gym
Holiday-themed face painting for €1 per person. Enter through the locker room entrance. Indoor shoes or socks only in the gym. Children play under guardian supervision. Cash payments in the café, with baked goods available for purchase to support MLL’s activities in Kuhmo. Santa Claus will visit to hear gift wishes—bring a Santa hat if you like.
Sat 23.11. Hotel Kalevala’s Christmas Party, 18:00–21:00, Hotel Kalevala. Menu €43/person, children 4–12 years: €21.50/person. Welcome to enjoy a ready Christmas buffet. In addition to general dates, you can also book a meal for your group at a suitable time.
Sun 24.11. ONLY IN FINNISH! Official Christmas Party of Puolanka’s Pessimists, 18:00–20:00, Kuhmo Hall, €25/13. The Official Christmas Party of Puolanka’s Pessimists is exactly the Christmas program nobody asked for. It may contain the same elements that have haunted Finns for generations since their primary school holiday parties—like elf games, Christmas songs, and nativity scenes that people have grown tired of hearing. Despite popular demand, there will be no Swedish irregular verb lessons at this event. Instead, it will be capped off with everyone’s least favorite tradition: a visit from Santa. WARNING! The Official Christmas Party may include one (1) risque joke. The official speech will be given by Puolanka Pessimists’ artistic director Tommi Rajala. Music will be provided by the Puolanka Pessimists’ musician, folk, and singing section, led by the association’s esteemed chair Katja Kemppainen. Also performing will be Puolanka Pessimists’ vice-chair and poetry club director Santeri Rahkamaa, who has promised to recite approximately one poem.
Tue 26.11. Korpi Raikaa Club: Joose Keskitalo, Ville Linna & Mikko Juvonen, Kaesa Café upstairs
Singer-songwriters Joose Keskitalo, Ville Linna, and Mikko Juvonen tour Eastern Finland in November, performing solo and together with a variety of string and wind instruments.
Fri 29.11. Hotel Kalevala’s Christmas Party, 17:00–21:00, Hotel Kalevala. Menu €43/person, children 4–12 years: €21.50/person. Welcome to enjoy a ready Christmas buffet. In addition to general dates, you can also book a meal for your group at a suitable time. Read more here.
Fri 29.11. Arppa @ Kuhmo Arts Centre, 19:00 – 21:00, Lentua Hall, 34.90€/29.90€
One of the fastest-rising acts in Finnish music, Arppa embarks on his first concert hall tour in fall 2024. The concerts will feature music from Arppa’s fourth album, released in fall 2024, as well as songs from previous albums. Arppa’s past tours have been widely popular, often selling out quickly, so it’s advisable to purchase tickets early. Performing on stage are Ville-Veikko Airaniemi, Eero Seppä, and Okko Saastamoinen.
Sat 30.11. Hotel Kalevala’s Christmas Party, 18:00–21:00, Hotel Kalevala. Menu €43/person, children 4–12 years: €21.50/person. Welcome to enjoy a ready Christmas buffet. In addition to general dates, you can also book a meal for your group at a suitable time. Read more here.
Sat 30.11. ONLY IN FINNISH! Santa’s Hotline, 18:00–20:00, Kuhmo Ars Centre, €34.90. A lively, funny, and engaging musical comedy! Santa’s Hotline is an adult-oriented, humorous Christmas musical featuring well-known classic Christmas songs and some hidden gems. Performers include tango queens Marita Taavitsainen and Heidi Pakarinen, tango princes Kalle Jussila and Jarno Itkonen, and pop singer J.Eskelinen. Accompanied by the festive Legenda orchestra. Duration approximately 2 hours with intermission. Time to get into the Christmas spirit with us!
Sun 1.12. Women’s Market, 12:00–15:00, Kuhmo Kelo. Welcome to the Women’s Market! The best Christmas-themed table will be awarded. Free bus transportation from the bus station at 11:45 and 13:45. Return at 13:30 and 15:00. Activities for children organized by Kuhmo 4H Association. Café open from 12:00 onwards. Table spots €15, reserve by 20.11. with Elina Pyykkönen, tel. 044 977 2360. Organized by LC Kuhmo/Helenat.
Sun 1.12. “Cast All Your Cares Away”: Tango princess Satu Suhonen & Matti Halmetvaara, pianist Tapio Nykänen, 14:00–15:30, Kaesa’s Café. €20/15. “Cast All Your Cares Away” is a Christmas concert allowing you to immerse in the Christmas message, forgetting daily worries. Satu Suhonen and Kuhmo native Matti Halmetvaara, who became friends during The Voice of Finland auditions in 2021, will perform Christmas songs dear to them, with a few beautiful duets as well.
Thu 5.12. Christmas Lunch at Neljä Kaesaa, 10:30–15:00, Restaurant Neljä Kaesaa. Christmas lunch served for €19.50. You can book a table in advance by emailing varaukset@neljakaesaa.fi.
Sat 7.12. Traditional Christmas Buffet at Neljä Kaesaa, 11:00–18:00, Restaurant Neljä Kaesaa. The popular buffet will be open for two sessions this year. Reservations can be made in advance at varaukset@neljakaesaa.fi.
Fri 6.12. Independence Day Celebration, program to be announced soon.
Sat 7.12. Kuhmo Big Band: Christmas Concert, 18:30–20:30, 25/15€, Kuhmo Arts Centre Join Kuhmo Big Band for classic Christmas songs with big band arrangements. Featuring soloists Elmeri Kinnunen, Johanna Korolainen, Juulia Kyllönen, Otso Pollari, and Suvi Seppänen. Conducted by guest conductor Mikko Suhonen.
Tue 10.12. Christmas Porridge Day at Neljä Kaesaa, 10:30–14:30, Restaurant Neljä Kaesaa. €11.90. Christmas porridge lunch served twice before Christmas. Reserve your spot in advance at varaukset@neljakaesaa.fi.
Fri 13.12. Children’s Christmas Party 16:00–18:00 and Youth Christmas Party 19:00–23:00, Youth Center Yläkerta. Organized by Kuhmo Youth Services and Kuhmo 4H Association.
Sat 14.12. Music School Dance Show, 14:00–15:00, Kuhmo Arts Centre. Free admission. Performances by the Kuhmo Music School students.
Sun 15.12. The Nutcracker, 18:00–19:45, 68/58€, Kuhmo Arts Centre A perfect start to the winter! Join us for Tchaikovsky’s classic ballet “The Nutcracker,” performed by the Ukrainian Ballet. The libretto is adapted from E.T.A. Hoffmann’s story “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King.” Thanks to Tchaikovsky’s magical music and Petipa’s choreography, both adults and children will enjoy this enchanting tale. The Ukrainian Ballet ensemble features artists from Ukraine’s leading theaters.
Mon 16.12. Music School Christmas Concert, 18:00–19:00, Kuhmo Arts Centre Performances by the students of Kuhmo Music School. Voluntary program fee to support the Music School Association. Welcome!
Thu 19.12. Spirit of Christmas Concert, 19:00–21:00, Kuhmo Arts Centre, 45.50€. Tango royalty Eija Kantola and Pasi Flodström perform together in a warm and festive Christmas concert. Enjoy both traditional and newer Christmas songs, accompanied by a four-piece orchestra. Join us in the holiday spirit
Sun 22.12. Rural Christmas Market, Kuhmo Arts Centre, schedule to be confirmed.
Between 22.12 and 23.12. Christmas Tour for Kuhmo residents, Pohjola House, exact schedule to follow.
Between 25.12 and 30.12. Husky and Reindeer Rides on two days, Kalevala area, dates to be announced.
Tue 31.12. New Year’s Eve Program to be updated soon!
Wed 1.1. New Year’s Concert: Carvalacciduo, 18:00–19:00, Kuhmo Arts Centre, 15€.
