Have you already seen the lively summer event program in Kuhmo?
Kuhmo’s most famous event is of course the Kuhmo Chamber Music Festival, which brings international stars of classical music to our town for a couple of weeks starting on July 12th. That means concerts from morning until night, an international atmosphere and a time when the town really comes alive. This year, the festival is being held for the 56th time. It’s worth experiencing a concert at least once in your life – there are concert venues for every taste, from churches to even private homes. There are also free concerts available when students of music courses perform their (incredibly skilled) performances.
Before the Chamber Music Festival, there is a folk music festival, when you can hear, for example, rune singing, bowed lyre or accordion at the music festival Sommelo. Joutsentanssi (“The Swan Dance”) contemporary dance festival will be held from June 30th to July 4th, and will offer various dance courses and workshops for participants of all ages.
Fans of bit heavier music will be treated to the SIN CITY KUHMO 2026 rock festival on Saturday, July 11. The most up-to-date information about the event can be found on the @sinsandwingsoy Instagram account.
Early summer includes a tradition that has lasted for over 30 years – Kuhmo Summer Musicians. For about a month, free coffee concerts are offered at the Kuhmo Hall’s Café Juttu. The musicians also perform at other events and evening concerts, such as Iltamat. You can check out previous years’ activities on the Instagram account @kuhmonkesamuusikot.
An essential part of Kuhmo’s traditions is the tar tradition – the town was once the largest tar producer in the world. Tar pots were burned and then people would row tar along the waterways to Oulu. The tar-themed event Tervatärppi will be held July 12-18 and offers experiences, stories, exercise and dances related to the tar tradition.
Lovers of the tradition of rafting can admire the skills of the “Tukkilaiset” (log floaters) at the Finnish Logger Championship on Saturday 27 June, and during the same week you can also participate in the raftsmen camp – it is open to anyone aged 8-100 who is interested in the subject.
The Kuhmo Winter War Race takes place right at the beginning of summer, and is usually attended by several dozen motorcyclists. In addition to enjoying the company of others, you can also visit a nearby site, usually related to the Winter War, on a shared ride. Events related to military history in the summer of 2026 include: Fans of various means of transport will certainly be interested in the Fly in flight event and the Kuhmo car club car show and sales event.
Come and have a good time!
In addition to the events mentioned above, there are several smaller events planned throughout the summer – you can see an up-to-date list here on Visitkuhmo’s listing >>
There are events on offer for at least motorcyclists, pilots, children, listeners of various kinds of music, culinary experts, rönttösen lovers, people from Tukki, those interested in traditional matters… Come along!
Festival photo @kuhmofestival Juuso Westerlund
