Summer 2026 – network and have fun!
Tips for the summer 2026 – network and have fun!
Hello! Glad you came to check out the tips for summer 2026 in Joensuu! The list has been compiled by Karelia UAS’ Cultural Diversity of Study Paths project and Karelia UAS’ Student Union POKA. Thank you to all our local partners for compiling the tips!
Save the dates
- Welcome to activities and events organized by Student Union POKA: Events
- Keep updated: @varmapoka, @poka_internationaldivision and pokapoka.fi
- Events in Joensuu? Please check out Joensuu event calendar: https://tapahtumat.joensuu.fi/en-FI
- Student events? Check out Kide.app: https://kide.app/
- City festival Popkatu 13. – 17.7. https://www.popkatu.fi/en/
Places to visit
- Daily open space called Yhteisötalo Satama in the city center. There you can, for example, read the daily newspaper, have a cup of coffee, sit in a corner with your own craft or book, and meet other people. The address is Kirkkokatu 13 and Satama is open Monday-Friday 10am – 3pm. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yhteisotalosatama/?locale=fi_FI
- Interested in culture and sports? Best places for outdooring? Please check out Joensuu web page: https://www.joensuu.fi/en/leisure/
- The library of Joensuu has many services besides books and magazines: facilities, games, movies, music, art, groups…
- You can also use the library’s services during self-service hours from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. by signing a contract at the library (Rantakylä, Nepenmäki and Karsikko libraries).
- Please check out the services: https://vaara.finna.fi/?lng=en-gb and @vaarakirjastot (fb, IG), @vaarazone (IG, TikTok)
- ViaDia flea market and cafe in Venetie 10: https://joensuu.viadia.fi/kirpputori/ (web page in Finnish)
- Other flea markets? https://www.pohjoiskarjala.com/kunnat/joensuu/yritykset/joensuun-kirpputorit (web page in Finnish)
- Nature experiences in North Karelia: https://www.instagram.com/hotufinders?igsh=Y3VmankzbDRmdTU0
- With kids? Please visit Lähiötalo Joensuu for families (web page only in Finnish: https://joensuu.viadia.fi/lahiotalo/) and Joensuu Perheentalo (family house, web page only in Finnish): https://www.pelastakaalapset.fi/joensuun-perheentalo/) (Please note, Perheentalo is closed 15.6. – 28.6.)
- Joensuu Artist Association: https://joensuuntaiteilijaseura.fi/en/
- Art Center Ahjo: https://joensuuntaiteilijaseura.fi/en/taidekeskus-ahjo
- Movie Theatre Tapio: https://www.savonkinot.fi/eng/
Online
- Individual residents offer various forms of neighborly assistance on the Commu platform: https://commuapp.fi/joensuu/#pll_switcher
Learn
- Finnish Language courses and groups. Many opportunities in person and online! https://internationaljoensuu.fi/en/learn-finnish/
- The adult education center of Joensuu Area has many kinds of courses: https://www.joensuunseudunkansalaisopisto.fi/en/etusivu-english/
More tips
- The Finnish Association for Nature Conservation organizes many volunteering events in Joensuu in the summer. Help us get rid of invasive species!
- Salsa del Este is Joensuu area’s salsa association, aiming to spread the joy of salsa to the region. In addition to salsa, we also dance bachata and kizomba. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/salsadeleste/?locale=fi_FI
- Salsa by the river every Wednesday from June to the end of August next to the Suvantosilta bridge at 6pm.
- SYKETTÄ Sports Services provide a variety of sports: group exercises, ball sports and gym.
- Activities of the Joensuu Lutheran Parish student cooperation
- Jomoni organizes Language Cafes, football, groups for different nationalities, and events. Check out more: https://www.jomoni.fi/en
- To find out about the activities organized by Joensuu’s Exchange and International Students JEIS, please check out @jeis_isyy on Instagram
- Open hangout nights organized by local LGBTQIA+ rights NGO North Karelia Seta: https://pohjoiskarjalanseta.fi/en/home/
- Summer 2026 picnics: https://pohjoiskarjalanseta.fi/ryhma/piknikit/
- Setlementti organizes (www.setlementtijoensuu.fi):
- Weekly activities and hangouts
- Setlementti trains volunteer Big Siblings, who are safe adult friends for elementary school-aged youth.
- Friend for an immigrant mother? Would you like to make a new Finnish friend and learn Finnish? MLL Järvi-Suomi District operates the activities: https://jarvi-suomenpiiri.mll.fi/perheille/tukihenkilo/ystavaksi-maahanmuuttajaaidille/friend-for-an-immigrant-mother/
- Volunteer work is very popular in Finland! There are plenty of opportunities in Joensuu area. Check out the list of different kinds of organizations: https://www.lahella.fi/organisation-search?city%5B0%5D=Joensuu
- Volunteering with local NGOs can be a good way of making friends and getting to know your new home town! Would you like to get to know local associations in Joensuu through volunteering activities? Wanna find a new hobby? Please contact [email protected] or +35850 438 9071 and we can find a place and group suitable for you!
- Tips and support via Facebook group for Joensuu English Speakers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/JoensuuEnglishSpeakers
- Finnish social dances in summer
- https://pohjois-karjala.menoinfo.fi/fi-FI/search?q=Lavatanssit (in Finnish)
- Lemmenlava in Hammaslahti: https://www.tanssiin.fi/tanssilavat/lemmenlava/ (in Finnish)
Student Union POKA wishes you a wonderful summer!
- Enjoy the studying time with student discounts with Student Union POKA’s membership. Read more and become a member: https://pokapoka.fi/en/membership/
- POKA’s offices are located in both campuses at Tikkarinne and Wärtsilä campuses. Please contact Tiia: [email protected] / Wärtsilä or Paula: [email protected] / Tikkarinne
- p.s. Do you have some more tips or invites beside this list? Or do you want to know more about the listed tips? Please contact Tiia: [email protected] / +358 50 438 9071