Cultural Kaleidoscopes brings color and imagination to the heart of the Oulu city center by transforming the street into a magical landscape of engaging cultural experiences for both artists and audiences.

The 2-day street festival brings the streets alive through a colorful kaleidoscope of multidisciplinary art performances celebrating Irish and Finnish cultural heritage that are inclusive and accessible to everyone.

Cultural Kaleidoscopes is part of the 5-day Irish Festival of Oulu program. The event is free.

The street program celebrates ancient cultural heritage, oral traditions and seasonal festive celebrations through a versatile program of spectacle performances including: 

• Irish traditional music and dance
• Finnish traditional music
• Spectacle performances celebrating Irish cultural heritage including the Tuatha Dé Dannan and The Belfast Wren Boys.
• Children’s concerts
• Clanadonia -Scottish Tribal Pipes & Drums
• Folk dance
• Storytelling and folklore
• Irish Wolfhounds
• Street theatre
• Grand Finale: Pegasus by Planete-Vapeur – An 18-ton mechanical horse (11 m × 7 m × 3 m) brought to life by 12 international artists, combining a spectacle performance of circus theatre artists, an opera singer, musicians, acrobats, stilt walkers, fire artists and numerous spectacle street theatre and performance arts into a breathtaking public performance — appearing for the first time in Finland and the Nordic region.

GENERAL INFORMATION

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• Time: 10:00–20:30, September 25–26
• Venues: Oulu City Hall Steps, Rotuaari Stage and Snellman Park and Kirkkokatu
• Suitable for: All ages
• Admission: Free
• Sound & effects: Some performances include drumming, amplified and live music, bright lights, fire and other theatrical effects, with periods of loud sound. Earplugs or other hearing protection are recommended for those sensitive to loud noises, and suitable hearing protection is recommended for small children.
• Pets: Bringing pets to the festival area is not recommended.
• Festival area: The Cultural Kaleidoscopes festival area in Oulu city centre is fully pedestrianised and traffic-free during the event, with no car or bus traffic permitted.
• Accessibility: Visitors with mobility challenges and wheelchair users are encouraged to arrive early for major performances to find the best viewing opportunities. Event staff and volunteers are available to assist if needed.
• Programme: Full programme and schedule at www.irkku.fi

ACCESSIBILITY & VIEWING

If you require assistance or help finding a suitable viewing location, please speak to our event staff or volunteers. We are here to help.

The Cultural Kaleidoscopes festival area is fully pedestrianised and traffic-free during the event. The programme and festival environment are designed to be inclusive and accessible to everyone.

Visitors with mobility challenges and wheelchair users are encouraged to arrive early for major performances to find the best viewing opportunities.

For safety reasons, please do not bring your own chairs, stools or other seating into the festival and performance area