Key events in Suomussalmi
Suomussalmi is a small town with a vibrant cultural scene, offering diverse events throughout the year, with a special emphasis on the summer season.
Key events in Suomussalmi
Pakko sanoa! Theatre Festival
A prominent theatre and spoken word arts festival, featuring guest theatrical performances, star actors, and a diverse stage program at venues including Theatre Retikka. Arranged by Työväen Näyttämöiden Liitto in collaboration with Suomussalmi Municipality and Theatre Retikka in the last week of September every year.
Further information: Pakko sanoa! -teatterifestivaali | TNL
Circus Festival Ämmä (Sirkusfestivaali Ämmä)
A family-friendly event centered around contemporary circus, bringing performances and workshops to both indoor stages at Theatre Retikka and outdoor venues. Arranged by Multidiscplinary Arts Assosiation TipTop Walkers in the beginning of Summer season.
Further information about TipTop Walkers: https://www.tiptopwalkers.fi/fi/
Suomussalmirock
A long-running local live music festival bringing rock, pop, and live gigs to various locations across Suomussalmi.
Further information about the event and the organisation behind the festival: https://www.suomussalmirock.fi/ and https://www.facebook.com/groups/Suomussalmirock/media
Soiva Metsä Festival & Soiva Metsä (The Musical Forest)
Soiva Metsä: An iconic environmental art installation located on Kaunisniemi, featuring large acoustic instruments built directly into the forest that play with the wind or visitor interaction.
Soiva metsä Festival: A cultural festival that utilizes this unique natural setting to host live concerts, immersive outdoor performances combined with discussion about forest and nature protection. Festival is organised by Oikku ry in every second year (odd years).
Further information: https://www.soivametsafestivaali.fi/
Köhäkkä
Suomussalmi’s traditional summer market days around late June and early July.
Ämmä Summer Evenings (Ämmän kesäillat)
A free sing-along session, held on Wednesdays in July in different location around municipality.
Night of the Arts in Suomussalmi (Taiteiden yö Suomussalmella)
A free late-summer cultural event that fills the town center with art, workshops, and evening entertainment in the end of August.
Raate Discussion Event (Raate-keskustelutapahtuma)
A seminar and discussion event focusing on themes of war history and historical themes over all and current literature publications, held in the historical setting of Raatteen Portti.
Theatre Retikka and Summer Theatre (Teatteri Retikka ja Suomussalmen kesäteatteri)
Suomussalmi features Theatre Retikka and Summer Theatre Area. Retikka offers a year-round venue for everything from theatre and movies to live concerts and work shops. The local summer theatre hosts one of Northern Finland's most popular summer theatre productions annually from early July to late August, along with visiting concerts and other performances.
Further information: https://www.teatteriretikka.fi/
photo: Kianta Group performing at Köhäkkä in 2026. (photo by Iida Falck)