Events

POKA organises a range of established and changing events each year. Follow @varmapoka and Kide.app and be there when it happens! #comeasyouare #kareliaforall

Upcoming events in autumn 2026

SEPTEMBER

• Student Blast >> on 3 September, 3–5 PM kicks off the new academic year in style at Joensuu Market Square! Live performance by Mikael Gabriel!
• The Opening Day on 3 September culminates starting at 5 PM with the FAMKY checkpoint event >>, guiding you and your team around downtown Joensuu through awesome team‑spirit‑boosting challenges – not forgetting the evening party!
• Wellbeing pop‑ups will be shining in campus lobbies during lunch breaks: 8 September in the main lobby of the Wärtsilä Campus, 9 September in the lobby of the E Building at Tikkarinne Campus
  Organizers: Karelia wellbeing operators and POKA
• Cricket and Finnish Baseball Try out >> on 9.9. at 4-6pm at Tapionkatu field. Come and play or try out! Organizers: POKA, Integration Services, WiNK project and Cultural Diversity of Study Paths project
• Discover Joensuu and Learn Finnish >> will continue in September and will include monthly activities around Joensuu or North Karelia area. Organizers: Simhe, POKA and Cultural Diversity of Study Paths project
• A new Karelia Friend >> season also starts in autumn! We match local Finns and international students to get to know each other and their cultures. Organizers: WiNK Project and POKA
• On 30 September, we once again celebrate a shared sports afternoon by SYKETTÄ.

OCTOBER

• TimeTravels trip to Lofoten Islands (Norway) on 3.–9.10.2026 – 30 € discount for POKA members!
• At the beginning of October, we celebrate World Mental Health Day! Activities in campus lobbies: Tikkarinne campus E building lobby on 6.10. at 10.30-12.30 and Wärtsilä campus main lobby on 8.10. at 10.30-12.30. Organizers: POKA and Wellbeing Team
• Find a Hobby! on 7 October, 11 AM–1 PM, in the Wärtsilä lobby. Come discover new hobbies and connections! Organizers: WiNK Project and POKA
• POKA turns 20! POKA 20 years Anniversary Gala on 17 October at Kimmel ❤️

NOVEMBER

• Vote in Election! The Representative Council elections from 4 November 2026 at 12:00 until 6 November 2026 at 12:00
• Board applications – Apply by the Representative Councils organizational meeting (preliminary date 30.11.)
• Multicultural Celebration 6.11.2026 at 16:00–20:00, Wärtsilä
• Social Dining 11.11.2026 at 18:00–20:00 brings Karelia UAS’ students, staff and alumni together at Wärtsilä campus restaurant Wire for a shared dinner with side activities. Organizers: Food and Co and POKA

DECEMBER

• Pre‑Christmas celebrations 2.12.2026 at 20:30, BePop – Fun competitions, relaxed time together! More information will be published soon!
  • At 20:30–22:00 POKA’s Pre-christmas Celebrations, at 22:00 doors open to everyone
  • Tickets – Registration and ticket sales started in Kide.app
    • Member of POKA/tutor: 0 € (Membership will be checked upon arrival)
    • Non-member: 5 €
    • The coatcheck fee is included in the ticket price, when you’ll arrive at time of Pre-Christmas Celebrations before 22:00 at the latest.
• TimeTravels trip to Saariselkä (Lappland) on 2.–7.12.2026 – 30 € discount for POKA members!
• New event: Community Pre‑Christmas celebrations 10.12.2026 at 11–13, Wärtsilä

Please note