Side activities

Ihan pimee -sprint orienteering in Kaavi Sun 6th of July

“Suuntaa luonnosta” is organizing the IHAN PIMEE sprint orienteering event in Kaavi on Sunday, July 6, 2025 from 2-6 p.m. The event serves as a good warm-up for the World Championships week. Kaavi is located 50 km from Tahko, 55 km from Kuopio and 40 km from Nilsiä, where the first part of the FIN5 week will be run the next day.
The municipality of Kaavi will celebrate its 150th anniversary in 2025 and this event is one of the events of the anniversary year. At the same time, the Kaavi school will receive a fresh school and sprint orienteering map from the school area for educational use. The municipality of Kaavi has branded its municipality in 2023 “Kaavi municipality – quite dark”, which also gives rise to the name of the sprint orienteering event.
There are five courses:
Getting to know the center of Kaavi – about 4 km, 17 controls (choice of route)
Technical sprint orienteering course – about 2.8 km, 18 controls (equivalent to the racecourse)
Short technical course – good for beginners – about 1.5 km, 13 controls
Children’s course – about 900 m, 10 controls (around the school and kindergarten)
Speed course with timing in the school yard – about 100 m (free of charge)
More information and registration: https://www.suuntaaluonnosta.fi/ihanpimee-english

Swimrun Wed – Fri 9th – 11th of July

Welcome to try out and enjoy swimrun during the World Orienteering Championships week in Rauhalahti, Kuopio! Swimrun is a sport where participants alternate between trail running and open water swimming multiple times along a scenic route. A perfect way to refresh yourself on a summer trail run: dive into a cool lake or pond.
This one-hour introductory session offers guided instruction on how swimrun works and the gear you’ll need. The main part of the experience is a beginner-friendly swimrun loop in the forest and water—you’ll learn by doing! Everyone who can swim is welcome to join, regardless of age. Bring the whole family and come swimrunning together!
Read more at: https://www.kuopioswimrun.fi/p/woc2025.html Register via the WOC online store: https://holvi.com/shop/woc2025/section/swimrun-on-woc-week/

Open House & Cultural Walk at Palad Showroom Thu 10th of July

Welcome to the WOC2025 atmosphere at Palad Showroom on Thursday 10 July!
16:00–18:00 | Open House – Discover the space, the art, and the ambiance.
18:00–19:30 | Cultural Walk through the city, departing from the Showroom.
Free entry – come experience the culture and the city as part of the World Orienteering Championships!
More information: https://palad.fi/en/news/events-at-palad-showroom-in-2025/

Puijon Pesis – Finnish Baseball match with WOC theme 11th of July

Wanna see the Finnish national sport, pesäpallo?
On Friday, July 11th, a Finnish baseball (pesäpallo) First Division men’s match will be played between the home team Puijon Pesis and Seinäjoen Maila-Jussit at Osuma Arena. The event will follow the theme of the World Orienteering Championships. The match starts at 6:00 PM, please arrive early.
By showing your WOC tour competition number at the ticket booth, you’ll get an adult ticket for €8 (regular price €15). Children under 16 enter for free. The address of Osuma Arena is Puijonlaaksontie 14.
Another fantastic opportunity to experience Finnish Baseball in Kuopio, celebrating its 250th anniversary, is the East vs. West game on Sunday, July 5th. The women will be playing at 12:00, and men at 16:00. More information and tickets in advance: https://store.pupe.fi/tuote/ykkospesis-ita-lansi/

Museums in Kuopio

Kuopio Museum

“The Mythical creatures – secrets of the forest” exhibition explores the folk beliefs of Eastern Finland that were collected and recorded from the 17th century up to the 20th century. The knowledge preserved in the charms, songs, stories, and fairy tales has been turned into an experience for the whole family.
The permanent exhibition on cultural history and natural science of Kuopio Museum offers knowledge and experiences by taking the visitor on a journey through the local area; from the history of Northern Savo all the way to the changing nature of eastern Finland.
Guided tour of the permanent exhibition in English on July 8th and 11th at 2 PM. Included in admission fee.
Museokatu 1, 70100 Kuopio
+358 17 182 603
https://kuopionmuseo.fi/in-english/
Admission fee: 15/10 €, free entry for under 18 years
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 10–17, Wed 10–19

Magical in KUMMA

Welcome to experience the magical nature of art at the KUMMA’s Magical exhibition! Magical is KUMMA’s interpretation of magical realism, where wonder and marvel, the play of proportions, fairy tales, and mysticism meet reality.
Magical dives into wondrous and mythical worlds. The exhibition takes you on an adventure in surprising spaces where parallel realities meet.
Kauppakatu 35
70100 Kuopio
Tue–Sun klo 10–17, Wed klo 10–19
https://kummamuseo.fi/en/

Old Kuopio Museum

Stories of houses – in search of the wooden city
Old Kuopio Museum celebrates the 250th anniversary with an exhibition that invites visitors to take a peek into the Kuopio’s idyllic wooden houses! The exhibition weaves together photographs and memories, creating a vivid experience that tells the story of the city’s architectural history and the evolution of its townscape. Stories from members of the generation that grew up in Kuopio between the 1940s and 1960s share what it was like to live in a city of wooden houses. The exhibition paints a picture of a bustling city, its streets filled with people going about their daily chores.

Colors and Shapes – Arttiimi 45 Years
The visual arts association Arttiimi celebrates its 45th anniversary with a retrospective exhibition featuring a wide range of works by its members.

Museum Homes
Step into the atmosphere of a bygone era in a block of eleven wooden houses. The museum homes offer a glimpse into everyday life from the late 1800s to the 1930s. Highlights include the recreated salon of Minna Canth and a historical pharmacy building.

Guided tours every Saturday at 1 PM. The summer program also features spinning demonstrations, play sessions for children, and outdoor exercise in the museum courtyard.
Kirkkokatu 22, 70100 Kuopio
+358 44 718 2627
https://kuopionkorttelimuseo.fi/in-english/
Admission fee: 8,00 / 5,00 €, children under 18 years free