Leisure in Oulu

This page contains information about services in Oulu. You can find other important information on the topic on the Free time page.

There are many kinds of leisure activities in Oulu. At Oulu-opisto and the Adult Education Centre, you can engage in arts, crafts, dance, music and sport, for instance.

Oulu is an active and versatile culture city. There are museums, theatres, a symphony orchestra, exhibitions and various events in Oulu.

Information on cultural activities in Oulu is also available on the city's tourism website in several languages.

Libraries in Oulu contain literature and magazines in several dozen languages. You can borrow books, voice books, magazines, music and DVD/Blu-Ray films at libraries.

Libraries also organise author and expert visits, exhibitions, literary groups and fairy tale reading sessions. Library events, library card and borrowing are free of charge. You can also use the Internet free of charge at the library.

You can access library databases through the Internet and ask for assistance in finding material from a librarian.

Further information: Libraries

The City of Oulu offers versatile exercise and sports facilities. There are sports facilities throughout the city. The City of Oulu provides guided activities at gyms, swimming halls and sports facilities.

The city maintains cycle tracks, hiking routes, exercise tracks, ski tracks, beaches, playing fields for ball games and skating, and winter swimming locations.

Oulu is home to more than 100 clubs engaging in a variety of sports, which operate in cooperation with the city.

The City of Oulu Sports Department is responsible for the sports facilities and locations. Additional information on the sports opportunities in Oulu is listed on the website of the City of Oulu.

Information on the various sports and exercise opportunities is also available on the city's tourist website on recreation and exercise in various languages.

Futher information: Sports 

Cycling 

There is an extensive cycling network in Oulu. The bicycle routes are also suitable for rollerblading, Nordic walking and jogging. You can get a cycling map from an Oulu10 service point, Torikatu 10 or at tourist information (BusinessAsema Hallituskatu 36 B, 90100 Oulu).

Parks and nature 

The promenades in the Oulu city centre, along with the nearby parks and seaside landscapes, make walks a true pleasure. The Oulu area boasts good hiking opportunities along nature trails. The hiking areas also feature rest stops, campfire sites and birdwatching towers and platforms. Particularly popular areas are the Hupisaaret park area in the city centre and the seaside Hietasaari.

Maps and brochures on nature areas are available free of charge at Oulu10 service point, Torikatu 10. 

Fishing 

Information on fishing opportunities in Oulu and on how to obtain fishing permits is available on the City of Oulu's website.

Boating 

There are plenty of opportunities for boating in Oulu in the Oulu River and at sea. The locations of ports and places for launching a boat can be found on the City of Oulu's website.

Further information: Recreation in nature

Theatre 

The City Theatre is located at Kaarlenväylä 2. You can buy tickets at Oulu10, the sales service or ticket websites. The theatre has its own production, visiting companies and an international theatre festival for children and young people.

Cinema 

There are several movie theatres in Oulu.

Further information: Theatre and cinema

There are several museums in Oulu.

Further information: Museums

Oulu Symphony Orchestra is the only symphony orchestra in Northern Finland and it is the most northern symphony orchestra in the European Union. The orchestra consists of 61 highly-skilled professional musicians.

Oulu Music Festival is a diversified, wintery city festival The festival brings together high-quality national and international productions and visiting artists from various music genres.

There are many kinds of leisure activities for children and young people in Oulu. For example, children and young people between the age of 7 and 17 can spend leisure time with their friends at youth facilities in various parts of the city free of charge. Employees at youth facilities provide information on other local leisure activities for children and young people.

Further information: Hobbies for children and young people

There are many kinds of leisure activities for the elderly. At the Adult Education Centre, you can engage in arts, crafts, dance and sports, for instance. You can also study languages there. There are also many kinds of exercise activities in the city.

Pensioner associations organise activities for pensioners.

The following associations, among others, organise events, activities and support for immigrants in Oulu:

• Friendship House: Many kinds of multicultural activities
• Oulu YWCA: Multicultural group for women Oulu Red Cross: Variety of aid work and friend service
• Oulu Red Cross: Variety of aid work and friend service

Partnership centre: A coalition of multiple organisations that arranges a variety of activities to support well-being.

Further information: Associations