The Old Town of Turku will be celebrated on 15 June with a versatile programme

The Turku Old Town was celebrated for the first time last year. After a successful celebration, it was clear that the event would become an annual tradition. This year, the operators active in the Old Town offer plenty of things to do and experience for people of all ages.

“Children and families should consider heading to Luostarinmäki Museum Quarter’s Children's Saturday event, which involves solving the mystery of the missing cobbler's thread. In the Suurtori area, children can search for forks lost by a cartoon jackdaw or get a face painting at the Aarre Turku store. Young musicians will play in the Art House Turku courtyard at the Turku Rock Academy Open Air event. The Church Park Terrace will host senior dances and acroyoga,” says Tuija Alihaanperä, Project Manager at the City of Turku.

The dress rehearsal of the medieval play will be seen at Suurtori from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Photo: Sami Maanpää / Keskiajan Turku

Events for those interested in history include a discussion about Old Turku held on the Church Park Terrace. At the Ett Hem Museum, open from 11:00 to 18:00, you can explore the life of a bourgeois family at the beginning of the 20th century. At the Sibelius Museum, you can dive into the 200-year history of the Åbo Underrättelser newspaper. Meanwhile, the Turku University Foundation will keep the doors of the Maaherran makasiini building open from 12:00 to 15:00.

“You can even peek into the future: The plans for the Astra building, which is currently under construction, will be presented in the courtyard of the Sibelius Museum at 11:00. The building will be used by Åbo Akademi University, and it is intended to become a meeting place in the area.

You also have the chance to relax in the midst of the hustle and bustle of the day. The Pilgrimage Center will organise a small pilgrimage in the Old Town at 13:00–14:30, and the Turku Cathedral will have an open day from 13:00–18:00.

Flea market vibes and art

You can discover bargains at the Secondhand Sunday flea market and the Brinkkalan Lankatori yarn market in the Old Great Square. At the Square, you can also come across a circus performance or actors practicing a medieval market play and listen to classic Estonian poetry at the Brinkkala courtyard attic.

If you’re interested in art, you should visit the Art House Turku’s main summer exhibition, the diverse offerings of the Kunsthalle or the Brinkkala Gallery’s exhibition about Borstö Island. You can also get acquainted with Chinese culture at the Juselius Mansion.

In the evening hours, the atmosphere of the Old Town will grow even more excited. Jussu Pöyhönen will perform in the courtyard of the Art House Turku, Aicha and Lätsä on the Church Park Terrace, and DJ Jodi Wild on the terraces of Tårget and Hügge on Vähätori square.

“The purpose of the Old Town celebration is to familiarise Turku residents with the parties operating in the area and to increase cooperation between these parties. The aim is also to revitalize the area and experiment with different events suitable for the area,” says Alihaanperä.

“City residents discovered the event last year and participated in the celebration programme in large numbers. This year, we warmly welcome everyone to celebrate with us again!

Kauko Röyhkä performed on Kirkkopuisto's Terrace at the Old Town celebration 2023.

The Old Town is one of the development areas in the Turku city centre. The objective is to continue elevating the area to the position it deserves as a tourist attraction and as a European oasis of encounters. Another objective is to increase and diversify the selection of services and events so that the area is active all year round. Development work is carried out in cooperation with local operators.

www.turku.fi/en/development-city-centre/old-town