Rovaniemi Midsummer Celebration invites the whole family to spend a program-filled midsummer evening
The City of Rovaniemi invites residents and visitors to celebrate midsummer at Koskipuisto on Friday 19 June from 16:00 to 20:30. This free, family-friendly Midsummer celebration offers a warm atmosphere, community-oriented program, and experiences for all ages. The evening will culminate in a traditional Midsummer bonfire, which will be lit at 20:30.
The free event program features local music, communal singing, workshops, and participatory activities suitable for the whole family. The evening will be hosted by Siiri Partanen.
The celebration day begins at 16:00 with free daytime dancing at Valdemari, where the Ässät orchestra will entertain the Midsummer crowd. The Koskipuisto program opens with a joyful and engaging concert by the Rovaniemi-based children’s orchestra Kolme Varista.
During the early evening, the audience will also see a fashion and music performance by Ukrainians living in Rovaniemi, as well as a participatory cattle-calling workshop led by folk singer Heidi Kenttälä.
Siepakat, Kunnan Pojat, Maria Vinberg, and Baabelin Nulikat
The Chair of the Rovaniemi City Council, Eemeli Kajula, will declare the beginning of the Finnish midsummer night at 18:00 in the traditional “Speech of the Finnish Summer,” after which Siepakat will perform an interactive dance performance.
The evening’s music is provided by Kunnan Pojat together with singer-songwriter Maria Vinberg. Kunnan Pojat is the city of Rovaniemi’s own orchestra, known for its community-oriented performances and versatile repertoire. Maria Vinberg is a Rovaniemi-based singer-songwriter and troubadour.
The second main act of the evening is the Rovaniemi duo Baabelin Nulikat with their program Dangerous Midsummer 3: Schlager Cruise. The performance promises a lively and upbeat musical journey, where familiar schlager hits are given a raw rock treatment, while disco rhythms set the tone alongside the group’s original songs.
– We want to offer residents a diverse Midsummer celebration where people can spend a summer evening together with loved ones. The program highlights local performers, community spirit, and Midsummer traditions, says cultural producer Roosa Nevala.
The event is free and open to everyone. Throughout the evening there will be activity stations in the area, such as face painting, circus workshops (not running throughout the entire event), yard games and activities led by 4H entrepreneurs, soap bubbles, and making Midsummer whisks and flower wreaths as long as materials are available. Koskipuisto also offers excellent settings for picnics, and food vendors will be present.
Visitors are encouraged to arrive on foot or by bicycle, as parking space is limited.
The program is still being completed, and changes are possible. A more detailed schedule will be published later.
Traditional Costume “Waving” Brings Color to the Celebration
As part of the Midsummer celebration, a Traditional Costume Parade will also be held, and participants from different cultures and backgrounds are encouraged to join. You can participate by wearing your national costume, traditional outfit, or parts of such attire — even a single accessory or element is enough.
Those wearing traditional costumes will gather at the Old Market Square (Pirkkakatu 1) at 16:30, from where they will proceed together in a colorful procession to Koskipuisto for the Midsummer celebration.
Participants may also share information about their costume, its history, or their cultural background during an interview segment with the host. The aim of the Traditional Costume Parade is to highlight cultural diversity, celebrate traditions, and lower the threshold for wearing traditional costumes together in a relaxed and communal event. People of all ages are welcome to join.
