Tips what to do in Uusikaupunki - events 8.-14.7.2024

Even though summer weather can be unpredictable, there's no need to worry. Our beautiful seaside town offers plenty of fun activities, sights, and experiences, whether it's sunny or rainy. This week's list of events includes a peek into gardens and yards, Myllymuori's children's adventure, summer theater in the city center and Pyhämaa, and a time-travel journey through seven great city fires. You can find antiques and vintage items at the Nopperla Antique Market. You can take a trip to the Isokari Lighthouse or enjoy a couple of hours on an evening cruise in the archipelago. Be sure to also visit our museums, churches, and exhibitions. Cafés and restaurants are serving up their best. Check out the tips and get going!

Santtioranta offers a full summer program for the whole family! Children's Mondays are held every Monday until August 5th from 2 PM to 6 PM, featuring a free bouncy castle for kids (weather permitting). Live Music Saturdays continue all summer with various artists until August 31st, with Rami Rafael performing on July 13th.

Santtioranta Camping is a campsite known for its cheerful service, featuring a café-restaurant, ice cream kiosk, beach, activities, and accommodations.

Experience the charming atmosphere of old yards and gardens on the guided "Yards and Wooden Houses" tour on Tuesday, July 9th, at 3 PM. At some stops along the route, the owners will share the history of their houses and gardens. The tour lasts about two hours and includes garden coffee. Tickets can be purchased in advance at the Uusikaupunki Tourist Office or from the guide on-site. The guidance is in Finnish, but if necessary information in English as well.

Join Myllymuori's 10th anniversary adventure "Myllytonttu and the Puzzle Nuts" on Tuesday, July 9th, and Thursday, July 11th, at 11 AM. This adventure takes you from one story to another through music, play, and small tasks. The route is walked through the sights of Uusikaupunki's city center, accompanied by the cheerful Myllytonttu and Myllymuori. Myllytonttu's puzzle box is bursting with questions. We will also meet Myllytonttu's animal friends, such as Kurre the Squirrel. Guidance is in Finnish.

At the Lentävä Lokki Summer Theater, enjoy a delightful and vibrant story about Reidar Särestöniemi, the great painter from Lapland. This week's performances of "Reidar S." are on Tuesday, July 9th, and Wednesday, July 10th, at 7 PM. Tickets can be purchased in advance at the Tourist Office, Rauhankatu 10. Performance in Finnish.

At the Pyhämaa Summer Theater, enjoy the silly farce "Vuoroin vieraissa." This week's performances are on Tuesday, July 9th, Wednesday, July 10th, and Thursday, July 11th at 7 PM, Saturday, July 13th at 3 PM, and Sunday, July 14th at 6 PM. Performance in Finnish.

Cruises to the Isokari Lighthouse Island are available from July 10th to 14th (Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) on the passenger ship M/S Kerttu. During the journey, you'll get to see the beautiful nature of the inner archipelago, the vast open sea of the Bothnian Sea, numerous birds, and sea marks. Upon arrival at Isokari, lunch will be served at the Kasarmi Restaurant, followed by a guided tour of the island's nature, history, and, of course, Finland's third oldest lighthouse.
Merikauppa Isokari

Café Kukonmäki's small pop-up café will be open on Wednesday, July 10th, from 10 AM to 6 PM. Kukonmäki is located in a charming wooden house setting. The menu includes freshly baked pastries, coffee, and refreshments. For both small and bigger appetites, there is a light lunch available, including delicious toasts and Kukonmäki's own smoked salmon soup. The café dogs Freja and Tove, cats Hilma and Dave, and the adorable bunnies welcome all coffee lovers.

At the traditional Evening Markets at Pakkahuone, the market fills up with a summery atmosphere and live music by artists, every Wednesday from 4 PM to 7 PM. On Wednesday, July 10th, the music will be provided by Mimosa, Susse, and Kalle.

"The Seven Great Fires of Uusikaupunki" guided walking tour on Thursday, July 11th at 2 PM takes you on a journey through time from 1685 to 1855. The tour will show the locations where the fires started and share stories related to them. Tickets can be purchased in advance at the Uusikaupunki Tourist Office or from the guide on-site. Guidance is in Finnish, but if necessary information in English as well.

The open doors of Uusikaupunki's New Church for voluntary self-guided contemplation continue on summer Thursdays until August 1st from 11:45 AM to 2 PM.

At Uusikaupunki's New Church, there is a traditional Organ Quarter every Thursday at 12 PM until July 18th, featuring music on the historical Marcussen & Søn organ (1865). On Thursday, July 11th, the midday matinee will be performed by organist Aada Wirberg.

Welcome to the Pakkahuone Bingo open to everyone on Friday, July 12th, at 4 PM. Bingo cards and markers can be picked up at Pikku-Pakkis – all you need to bring is yourself!

On summer Fridays from 4 PM to 7 PM, the traditional theme market of Männäinen features not only market sales but also a Pop-Up Café and live music. On Friday, July 12th, Mikko Itäranta will perform at the Männäinen Market.

See and experience Uusikaupunki from the sea! On the guided sightseeing cruise on Friday evening, July 12th, at 6 PM, you can enjoy a maritime atmosphere aboard M/S Kerttu. The ship features comfortable indoor areas, a café/bar, a sun deck, and restrooms. The two-hour cruise offers a relaxing quality time with family and friends.
Guidance is in Finnish.

What could be more wonderful than doing yoga in pristine nature, in the fresh open air by the sea, on a lightly covered yoga patio? Welcome to Sisula's cottage yoga at Eräistenkari, Lokalahti, on Fridays at 7 PM. Remember to bring weather-appropriate clothing, your own yoga mat, a blanket for final relaxation, and warm clothing. In case of rain, the yoga session will be held in the barn.

Join us at the Children's Market on Saturday, July 13th, from 10 AM to 1 PM for fun and activities! There will be a car track for children throughout the event. The program includes music sessions for both younger and older children and the Riesa-Pelle Show. Welcome to the market square for a good time!

The traditional Nopperla Antique Market will be held on the weekend of July 13th–14th from 10 AM to 5 PM at Nopperla Farm. The market offers charming antiques and vintage items, as well as other sights and experiences. There is an entrance fee for the event.

On M/S Kerttu's Saturday evening cruise on July 13th at 6 PM, you can enjoy live music, relax on the sun deck, explore the nearby archipelago, and have the opportunity to enjoy Isokari's signature refreshments.

In Uusikaupunki's Tammio, you can sell your hidden treasures at Anne's yard sale on Sunday, July 14th, from 12 PM to 3 PM. Anne herself will be selling "coffee and something to dip" as well as sausages.

The Splendor of a Bourgeois Home and the Golden Age of Maritime

Local history comes to life in museums. The former bourgeois home of a tobacco manufacturer, Wahlberg Museum House, showcases the splendor of a bygone bourgeois home on the ground floor and the golden age of maritime on the upper floor. The museum is open until August 25th, Monday to Friday from 10 AM to 5 PM, and Saturday to Sunday from 11 AM to 4 PM.

Wahlberg Museum House offers plenty of activities for young visitors. During the summer, the courtyard building features a popular children's play area, where kids can try walking on stilts or navigate hobbyhorse obstacles. Inside, children can explore the museum like detectives, color electric locomotives, or play with train sets.
The interior of Luotonen's shoemaker's workshop, which operated at Ketunkallio until the early 1980s, has been moved to the museum's courtyard building and is on display whenever the museum is open.

The former Uusikaupunki Pilot Station, located on the slope of Vallimäki, has been serving as a small summer museum dedicated to the pilot profession for 50 years this summer. The Pilot Museum is open daily until August 11th from 12 PM to 3 PM, and admission is free.

The Seaman's Home Museum is located on the edge of Myllymäki in one of the oldest surviving residential buildings in Uusikaupunki. The small house is furnished to depict the home of a seafaring family from Uusikaupunki in the early 1900s. The Seaman's Home is open daily until August 11th from 12 PM to 3 PM, and admission is free.

Other Attractions

Humor, bright colors, naive art, the scent of roses, and beautiful maritime views – that's what Art House Pilvilinna is all about. The walls, floors, and ceilings of Pilvilinna are painted both inside and outside. Artist Raija Nokkala's painting exhibitions in the main and courtyard buildings, as well as humorous sculptures along the art trail, bring joy and good cheer to viewers.

Other attractions include a lace cottage and annually changing art exhibitions, a charming art trail in the forest, a coffee terrace by the sea, a treat table, and a card shop showcasing Pilvilinna's own products. Pilvilinna is open until August 10th on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 2 PM to 6 PM.

The folk musicians of Ämpärpori will be playing summer music at Pilvilinna on Wednesday, July 10th, in the afternoon. Come enjoy art, the summer atmosphere, and live music at Art House Pilvilinna!

You won't find a more enchanting destination than the Bonk Museum, which offers the opportunity to explore the background of the vast Bonk Business Inc. industrial empire. Bonk is an absurd fantasy product originating from the idea of visual artist Alvar Gullichsen. Oy Bonk AB is an imaginary family company that has developed an entire history around it, filled with all sorts of inventions. During the summer, the Bonk Children's Inventing Workshop allows the youngest family members to design and build their own Bonk machine. The museum is open daily until August 6th from 10 AM to 6 PM.

In the three large exhibition halls of the Automobile Museum, the dreams of both young and old car enthusiasts come true. The Raunistula Dollhouse Club's Minimaailma exhibition entertains the whole family. The Automobile Museum is open daily in the summer from 10 AM to 6 PM. For groups, visits can be arranged by appointment.

Churches

Uusikaupunki's Old Church, as well as the churches of Kalanti and Pyhämaa, are Road Churches and open to visitors during the summer. The New Church in Uusikaupunki is also open for visits on Thursdays and Saturdays.

Uusikaupunki's Old Church was built in 1629 and is the oldest building in the central area. You can visit the Old Church until August 4th from Wednesday to Saturday, 11 AM to 5 PM, and on Sundays from 12 PM to 4 PM.

The New Church of Uusikaupunki, designed in the Gothic style by architect Georg Theodor von Chiewitz, hosts Organ Quarters on Thursdays, July 11th, and July 18th, all at 12 PM with free admission.
The New Church is open until August 3rd on Thursdays from 11:45 AM to 2 PM for voluntary self-guided contemplation and on Saturdays from 11 AM to 2 PM with guided tours by Uusikaupunki tourist guides.

The vaulted Kalanti Church, also known as St. Olaf's Grey Stone Church, was built at the end of the 14th century and is open until August 4th from Wednesday to Saturday, 11 AM to 5 PM, and on Sundays from 12 PM to 4 PM. The church's summer café, Suvi, operates in the vestibule and is open Wednesday to Saturday from 11:15 AM to 4 PM and Sunday from 12:15 PM to 4 PM.

The churches of Pyhämaa are open until August 4th from Wednesday to Saturday, 11 AM to 5 PM, and on Sundays from 12 PM to 4 PM. The older, unique wooden church, Pyhämaa Sacrificial Church, was built between 1642 and 1650, with paintings covering the entire ceiling and interior walls. The newer grey stone church dates from 1804.

For exhibition enthusiasts

The themed exhibition at Uusikaupunki's Wahlberg Museum House, "THE FIRE-BREATHING HORSE COMES - The 100-Year-Old Uusikaupunki Herring Railway," tells the story of the planning and construction of the hundred-year-old Turku-Uusikaupunki railway. It also covers the trains and locomotives, and the railway's impact on people's daily lives, other forms of transportation, commerce, and industry.

In the exhibition space of the cozy café at Pakkahuone guest harbor, Vilma Sappinen's exhibition is on display until August 18th. The Pakkahuone café is open every day from 8 AM to 10 PM.

Located at Pakkahuone Square in the former Vaso mill, the Uusikaupunki Maritime Center is maintained by the Uusikaupunki Maritime Historical Association. The Maritime Center is open until August 10th, Tuesday to Sunday from 11 AM to 6 PM. The space features a variety of maritime historical exhibits, including several old boat engines, a large model of the Uusikaupunki sailing ship Varma, other scale models, numerous ship paintings, and an extensive association sales point. The summer exhibition, "Seafarers and Passenger Ships," showcases the profession of sailors and the passenger ship traffic that passed through Uusikaupunki. Admission to the exhibition is free.

Runonkulma Gallery is an art gallery and art rental service located in the wooden house area of the city center. The gallery hosts rotating exhibitions, events, courses, lectures, and private events. The space also houses Pikkukylän Puoti, a shop selling domestic handicrafts, design, and art products. The gallery is open in July from Wednesday to Friday, 11 AM to 5 PM, and on Saturday, 11 AM to 3 PM.

At Runonkulma Gallery, the exhibition "Sway Along" by Norwegian artist Elin Muren is on display until July 20th. Muren's works and style reflect the beauty and nuances of nature. On Finnish Visual Arts Day, Wednesday, July 10th, Runonkulma Gallery will host a painting event where you can paint your own small watercolor or mixed media artwork for free.

Gallery-Art Rental Horizon offers art experiences! The gallery is open Wednesday to Friday from 12 PM to 3 PM and Saturday from 10 AM to 1 PM. It features works by artists from Uusikaupunki and guest artists. In addition to the gallery, the art rental service allows you to take home artworks at an affordable monthly rate. The artist of the month for July is Tiina Kuusikoski with her exhibition "Impression."

At Tupsula of Thousands of Tassels, you can see unique works made from tassels, including new animal figures. The fun tassel creations have even spread to the outer walls of the exhibition space. Tupsula is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1 PM to 5 PM and on Saturdays from 10 AM to 2 PM.

Joy of Exercise

Padel Uusikaupunki offers excellent facilities for enjoying the hugely popular sport of padel right in the city center. Two competition-level, LED-lit courts are located by the waterfront in Crusell Park, close to all amenities. Individual court sessions can be booked for an hour or longer, and regular sessions are available for those who play frequently.

Experience the joy of exercise in a stunning environment. A classic yard game that never fails to entertain. The new basketball court near the padel courts is freely available for everyone to use.

Enjoy golf in a cheerful atmosphere by the sea. Uusikaupunki's full-length 18-hole golf course is located right on the seashore and almost in the city center.

At the end of the Kaupunginlahti Bay, in a prime location close to the city center and the sea, lies a magnificent Skatepark Pumptrack. Part of the skatepark is paved with asphalt, designed for beginners to practice tricks, while the fully concrete section provides opportunities to train for the sport even up to the Olympic level.

Come and feel the relaxing effects of nature while practicing yoga, with the earth as your floor, the sky as your ceiling, and birdsong and the rustling of trees as your background music. Satya Yoga offers park yoga at Myllymäki Park on summer Thursdays.

A piece of Finland's most beautiful archipelago is within your reach on this route without the need for a boat or worrying about ferry schedules - thanks to the road built through the islands. Drive the entire 50-kilometer route in one go or savor the archipelago atmosphere at a leisurely pace. The Velhovesi Ring Road takes you to the northern archipelago of Uusikaupunki, around the Freshwater Basin.

On Tuesdays throughout the summer, you can enjoy summer swimming at Metsälehto's sauna from 6 PM to 8 PM. The sauna is spacious and provides excellent steam. It's nice to take a dip in the water from the pier, but you can also enter the water directly from the shore. Changing rooms are available for both women and men. Swimming is subject to a fee.

At Haimio's free sauna, you can enjoy summer swimming daily. The free sauna is open to everyone and is located next to the public beach. The first person to arrive heats the sauna. The sauna is managed and maintained by the Jokisivu Youth Association.

Out into Nature

You can enjoy nature, for example, on the Pamprinniemi nature trail in Pyhämaa. In the city center area, there is Hiunjärvi, also known as a bird lake, with its nature trails and lean-to shelters. You can hike to the accessible outdoor trail and bird-watching platform at Kasarminlahti, starting from the sports field parking area. There is also a lean-to shelter near the trail. The Oinassaari lean-to shelter, located in Korsaaressa, is another great excursion destination. It is about 18 kilometers from the center of Uusikaupunki towards Lepäinen. Pack some grillable food in your backpack and off you go!

For Delicious Moments

The food in Uusikaupunki is delicious and available in various styles at many restaurants and cafés. The restaurants support local production, so you will always find products from local producers on your plate. Occasionally, the restaurants also offer entertainment.