Event tips for late October and November 2025

October is inevitably turning into November —  the city offers a rich cultural month filled with music, exhibitions, and experiences all around town. The "Children’s Moon" – November Cultural Month, organized by the city’s cultural services together with various partners, begins already at the end of October and offers inspiring cultural activities for children and young people almost every day. Take note of these tips – and see you at the events!
On the last Thursday of October, children can meet Pikkuli, the beloved character from Pikku Kakkonen, at the library, and on Friday the library hosts a ghost hunt as part of the citywide Hehku Carnival, where this year’s Most Radiant Personality will also be announced.

Music for everybody

Students of the Vakka-Suomi Music Institute will perform at Wintteri, on Friday 31st at 6.30 pm, guitarists will entertain the audience on the Wintteri stairs. Concert is free of charge.

On Thursday 6th at 6 pm, the Nordic Evening will be celebrated at Cultural Center Cruselli. Everyone is welcome to enjoy music in honor of Pohjola-Norden’s 80th anniversary.

On Saturday 8th at 6 pm, the Evening of Singing and Saxophone will be held at the Parish Center. Pauliina Kupiainen and Olli-Pekka Tuomisalo will offer a versatile musical program ranging from baroque to jazz. Free entry, program fee €10.

To celebrate Father’s Day, a concert will be held at Kalanti Church on Sunday 9th at 5 pm. Performers include Sanna Anniina Lång, Satu Sarkoranta, Päivi Kurkilahti, and Pauli Kuitula. The event is organized by Kalantiseura, Männäistentori Association, and the local parish. Proceeds from program leaflets will support local veteran heritage work.

Happenings in the library

On Thursday 30th, the library will host the Pikkuli Song and Play Show, featuring the beloved character from Pikku Kakkonen. The creators of the Pikkuli animation series, long-time children’s entertainment professionals Metsämarja and Antti Aittokoski, will lead the songs and playful activities. There will be two performances at 9:30 and 10:30, each lasting about half an hour.

On Friday 31st , the library will hold an all-day Ghost Hunt as part of the Hehku Carnival.

This autumn, the Uusikaupunki Main Library is also hosting Read to a Dog sessions, designed for primary school–aged children. The first November reading session will be on Thursday 6th at 6 pm. The dogs will be in the library’s event space, with small reading areas separated by screens for each reader. Two dog listeners will attend each session, and children can read picture books, comics, fairy tales, or nonfiction to them. The dogs are calm, attentive listeners — and they enjoy being petted and receiving treats. Each reading slot lasts about 5–10 minutes, and participation is on a first-come, first-served basis.
The beautifully restored and renovated library building itself is also well worth a visit!

 
The Hehku Carnival once again brings joy and light to the darkest part of autumn!
Hehku Uusikaupunki is a cozy late-year festival of togetherness to illuminate the city center during the dark season. The event brings together art, music, light shows, and a warm sense of community — celebrating creativity, local spirit, and the magic of light, offering memorable experiences for both residents and visitors.
On stage, the evening features the announcement of the “Hehkuvin” (Most Radiant) Personality or Event of the Year, the costume contest winner awards, and live music from Madame Pumpkin and The Eyeballs. You can join the costume contest by registering at the info point between 5 and 5.30 pm. The evening’s most radiant, cutest, and most surprising outfits will be rewarded at 6.30 pm. The park area will glow with atmospheric stalls, including Villilä Beekeeping, Saunalaituri Höyry, and the Hehku Buffet by Scouts group Merihait. The Rähmä-Käpälät will be there with their adorable dogs ready for cuddles, and MLL has created a special light trail for children.

That same evening, Uusikaupunki will also be filled with overalls-clad students celebrating the annual Hehku Appro, adding to the city’s lively festival atmosphere!
 

Finland’s only internationally awarded mentalist Pete Poskiparta and world-renowned digital accordion artist Netta Skog, who has performed with Cirque du Soleil, will bring the Magical Halloween to Uusikaupunki on Saturday the 1st at 6 pm.
Their show at Cultural Center Cruselli promises a thrilling and entertaining evening with just the right mix of suspense and humor. The artists will perform both together and in solo numbers. Alongside chills and excitement, the performance includes Pete Poskiparta’s signature comedy and Netta Skog’s one-woman-orchestra soundscapes. The stage will come alive with unforgettable music from well-known horror and thriller films such as Halloween, Hellraiser, and The Da Vinci Code. Tickets to the event from here.

For film lovers, Cinema Kuvala — one of Finland’s oldest movie theaters, over 100 years in operation — screens the latest digital premieres. Check the current schedule and buy tickets in advance on Kuvala’s website. And don’t forget to grab some classic movie snacks from the theater kiosk!

A Family and Youth Movie Night will be held at Kuvala Cinema on Friday the 7th, organized by MLL and Uusikaupunki Youth Services. The evening starts at 5 pm with the film Ella and Friends – Operation Otter (this screening is fully booked).
After that, at 6.45 pm, there will be a free screening of Jurassic World Rebirth (age limit 12), aimed at slightly older audiences. Registration is required via this provided link — the first 60 participants will be admitted.
 

The New Church of Uusikaupunki, Rauhankatu 3, is open every Thursday from 4 to 6 pm for a quiet reflection, thanks to local volunteers. Visitors can also admire the beautiful Gothic-style red-brick church, designed by architect C. A. Chiewitz and completed in 1863.

Korihait Basketball Team plays its home games at Uusikaupunki Arena, located in the Wintteri  (Pohjoistullitie 3).
Fri the 31st at 8 pm Korihait plays against Tapiolan Honka and on Sat the 8th at 6 pm they will play against Kauhajoki.
Ticket prices: Adults €23, S-member €21 (numbered seat). Unnumbered seat: Adults €22, S-member €20. Pensioners, students, unemployed, conscripts €16. Children 13–15 yrs €10, children 7–12 yrs €7.
Tickets are available at kauppa.korihait.fi and one hour before the game at the door. Picture: Korihait/Facebook
 

Uudenkaupungin Jääkotkat (UJK) will play their home games at the ice hall on Sat the 1st at 3.30 pm against PaRa from Panelia and on Sat 8th at 6.30 pm game will be against PKW from Luvia
UJK plays icehockey in the 3rd Division, group 6B.  Tickets €4, and free entry for under 15s and club members.

History comes alive in the museums

Wahlberg Museum House (Ylinenkatu 11) stands in the heart of the city’s wooden house district. The grand residence was built in the early 1870s by Fredrik Wahlberg, founder of Uusikaupunki’s tobacco factory. The house features beautifully preserved decorative tiled stoves, ornamental ceiling paintings, and even hand-painted original wallpapers in the salon — over 150 years old. The upstairs exhibition showcases shipbuilding, outfitting, and maritime trade, with sailor’s chests, souvenirs, ship paintings, and navigation instruments telling stories of the city’s seafaring past. Young visitors can also play detective with themed tasks. The museum is open from Tuesday to Friday from noon to 3 pm.

The museum’s exhibition “Among the First – Women of Uusikaupunki in a Man’s World” introduces 13 pioneering women from the late 19th to early 20th centuries who broke barriers in professions officially reserved for men, such as organists and doctors. Some also challenged conventions through hobbies like hunting and sailing. The exhibition runs until March 2026.

The museum also offers mobile games set in Uusikaupunki’s city center. These location-based exploration games, available on play.seppo.io, don’t require any app downloads. Game themes include Schools of Uusikaupunki, Time Travel to the Old City, The Treaty of Nystad, The Uusikaupunki Railway, and In the Footsteps of Local Women. Game info and access codes are on the museum’s website.
 

The Automobile Museum (Autotehtaankatu 11) is open daily from 11 am to 5 pm. Across three halls, visitors can admire over 100 vehicles — from classic cars to futuristic concept models, motorcycles, and even an airplane. Highlights include Finland’s first domestically produced car, the 1913 Korvensuu, and the first Saab built in Uusikaupunki in 1969, gifted to President Urho Kekkonen. You’ll also find older Saabs from Sweden’s Trollhättan, including the first Saab ever registered in Finland (1950). The museum also features a restoration workshop, museum shop, and an art exhibition with works by Juhani Palmu and Pekka Laiho.

For Exhibition Enthusiasts

At the Cultural Center Cruselli, artists Rannveig Steinthórsdóttir and Pekka Pyykö present their exhibition MIELIKUVIA until November 21st. Both studied sculpture at the Iceland Academy of the Arts in the 1990s, and Pyykö also graduated as a furniture design from Kuopio Academy of Design in 1999. The exhibition is open Mon–Wed and Fri from 10 am to 4 pm, Thu from 10 am to 6 pm, and during performances at Cruselli. A meet-the-artist event will take place on Tuesday 28th from noon to 4 pm.

At Gallery and Art Lending Horisontti visitors can see Valto Vaalikivi’s exhibition“Color Landscapes” and Esko Lappalainen’s exhibition “Landscapes” through October. Open Wed–Fri from noon to 3 pm12 and Sat from 10 am to 1 pm.

Nearby, the cheerful and colorful Tupsula – Land of Thousands of Pom-poms delights visitors of all ages with imaginative pom-pom art, including animal figures and outdoor installations. Open Tue & Thu from 1 to 5 pm and Sat from 10 am to 1 pm.

In a charming old wooden house, Runonkulma Gallery & Pikkukylä Shop (Ylinenkatu 38 B) hosts exhibition by Riitta Myllymäki and Tuija Näsi “Season of Autumn” until Oct 29th. In November, the gallery presents exhibition by Susanna Sinivirta “Where My Heart Lies – Nature Observations and Daughters of the Forest”, opening Tue 4th at 6 pm. The Helsinki-based artist and illustrator mainly works with watercolor and digital finishing. 
Pikkukylä Shop sells Finnish handicrafts, design, and art products.

At the Uusikaupunki Main Library, the Pohjola-Norden 80th Anniversary Exhibition runs until the end of October, showcasing materials about the association’s history, Nordic culture, photos, and flags. Open Mon–Thu from 10 am to 7 pm, Fri from 10 am 5 pm and on Sat from 10 am to 2 pm.

Delicious Moments in Local Restaurants

Uusikaupunki’s restaurants serve tasty local food in diverse settings. Many use locally produced ingredients, with freshly caught fish from nearby waters often on the menu. From cozy bistros to elegant dining, there’s something for every palate — so choose your favorite spot and enjoy! Picture is from Restaurant Luode/Facebook.

The traditional Charity Lunch on Saturday 1st from 11 am to 2 pm at Pyhämaa Parish Hall! A delicious buffet will be served, featuring hearty homemade dishes. Prices: Adults €20, children (under 18) pay €1 per year of age.
Please note that table reservations are not available in advance. This year, all proceeds will be donated via the Kylväjä Mission Society to support people with disabilities in Mongolia.

Father’s Day lunches are now open for reservations!
Check out the menus and treat your dad to. So far, Restaurant Luode and Brasserie Golf have announced their Father’s Day lunch menus.

The restaurants also host lively events to brighten the dark season:

Hehku Appro Afterparty is on Friday 31st at Hotel Aquarius – the entire venue turns into a massive student party with over 300 participants. Upstairs: Dinturist performs live and downstairs in the Nightclub Glow turns into a neon-lit dance floor. Free entry to the whole venue.

Halloween Party, Sat, Nov 1 from 22:00 at Night Club Glow – featuring popular DJ T. Dress up in costume or come as you are and dance into the night with spooky drink specials!

Public House Olkkari Halloween Night is on Saturday the 1st at 10 pm. Miss Blue & The Blue Balls are offering a rare, almost acoustic and intimate set for fans of old-school rock.

Autumn Karaoke Nights at Restaurant PikkuWiku (Aittaranta 6) every Saturday, starting at 10 pm, right by the scenic Kaupunginlahti Bay.

Joy of Exercise – Delight of the Outdoors

Winter Swimming and Refreshing Activities

You can enjoy winter swimming at Haimio Free Sauna every Saturday from 4 to 7 pm at Haimiontie 351. Nearby, the Metsälehto Sauna offers winter swimming on Sundays from 4 to 6 pm at Haimiontie 365.

There’s also a winter swimming spot at the Santtioranta pier, where heated changing rooms are available Mon, Wed, and Fri from 8 am to 7 pm. The sauna is not in use during winter.

Swimming Hall
The Uusikaupunki Swimming Hall in the Wintteri  offers daily swimming opportunities. In addition to lanes for fitness swimming, the hall includes a diving pool, water slide, paddling pool, and a cold-water pool for those who enjoy an invigorating dip.
Opening hours are: Mon & Fri from 8 am to 9.30 pm, Tue & Thu from 6 am to 9.30 pm, Wed from noon to 9.30 pm, Sat from 9 am to 5.30 pm and Sun from noon to 5.30 pm.
Ticket sales end one hour before closing, and the pool area closes 30 minutes before closing time. The Wintteri Café offers snacks and refreshments and closes one hour before the swimming hall.

Saunalaituri Höyry, Pilssitie 23
Located by the sea in Janhuanniemi, about 1.5 km from the city center, Höyry offers an atmospheric year-round sauna and swimming experience. Sessions are booked and paid online in advance. Open daily from 10 am to 10 pm.

Public Skating at the Ice Hall
The Uusikaupunki Ice Hall hosts public skating sessions every Sunday from 10 to 11 am. These sessions are open to skaters of all ages and skill levels.
Entry fee is 2 € per person.

VahterusRing Ski and Fitness Tunnel
Even though the outdoor ski trails aren’t open yet, there’s no need to worry — the skiing season at VahterusRing has already begun! Inside the tunnel, you’ll always find perfect conditions for exercise. The approximately one-kilometer track, located along the outdoor course, features varied terrain with a 16-meter elevation difference, making it suitable for all levels of skiers.
In addition to skiing, VahterusRing offers a fitness track ideal for Nordic walking, running, roller skating, and cycling. The facility also features a golf simulator, offering a realistic golf experience with a selection of 90 courses from around the world.
The ski and fitness tunnel is open daily (Mon–Sun) from 6 am to 10 pm with an access card. The customer service desk is open Mon–Fri from 10 am to 3 pm and Sat from 10 am to 1 pm.
 

Enjoy the Seaside Nature — Even in Autumn
You can still experience Uusikaupunki’s beautiful coastal nature even in autumn. In Pyhämaa, the Pamprinniemi Nature Trail 
offers a refreshing outdoor escape surrounded by sea views.
Closer to the city center, Hiunjärvi — also known as the “bird lake” — features nature trails and a lean-to shelter, perfect for a peaceful walk or a picnic.
The Kasarminlahti accessible trail and birdwatching tower can be reached from the sports field parking area, and there’s also a lean-to nearby for a cozy break.
For a slightly longer adventure, head to Oinassaari lean-to on Korsaari Island, about 18 km from the city center toward Lepäinen — an excellent spot for a small autumn outing. Just pack something to grill and set off!
 

Uusikaupunki’s unique, welcoming, and delightfully diverse boutiques invite shoppers to explore a wide range of stores and products—all within easy walking distance. Discover treasures in antique shops or flea markets, refresh your wardrobe and shoe collection, or add a touch of style to your home décor with something new. And before you leave, don’t forget to pick up a lovely gift or souvenir!

If you’d like to stay overnight, Uusikaupunki offers several cozy accommodation options. Hotels are conveniently located close to the town center and its main services, while well-equipped apartments can also be found in the idyllic wooden house district. A relaxing alternative is a cottage stay, where you can unwind surrounded by nature.
Find accommodation options here: visituusikaupunki.fi/en/accommodation

Find more information about these and upcoming events via the link below.
tapahtumat.uusikaupunki.fi/en