LystiKylä festival
Welcome to LystiKylä
LystiKylä Festival is a children’s festival held at Jyväskylä from June 5th to June 7th 2026.
The festival features plenty of fun events, shows, movie screenings, workshops, and stuff to do for families and children to enjoy. Come and join the fun with the whole family at LystiKylä!
Festival program by day 2026
Babies and Toddlers' Morning at the Library
Friday, June 6th, 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM
Jyväskylä City Library, Vapaudenkatu 39–41
Free entry!
Program:
9:30–11:00 a.m. Opening of the “Where’s the Wind Blowing From?” summer exhibition: Story Room Peukaloinen
9:30–10 a.m. Musikatti and Kanatude’s Diving Contest: Children’s section, 2nd floor
Welcome to a participatory music session with Musikatti and Kanatudi, the mascots of the Finnish Music Campus.
10:15–10:45 a.m. Dance Theater MD: The Adventures of Santeri Sammakko Stage, 1st floor
The Adventures of Santeri Sammakko is a dance theater performance aimed at the youngest members of the family. In Samuli Roininen’s choreography, the rhymes from graphic designer Leena Junnila’s children’s book *Lits läts lätäkkö!* and the delightful characters from the *Onni ja Ilona* picture cards guide the audience on an adventure through the seasons via rhymes and dance. This interactive performance is tailored to children’s needs, taking into account the growth and developmental stage of the age group. The performance emphasizes the gentleness of the interactive moments and the holistic nature of sensory stimuli.
Lystikylä at Mäki-Matti
Fri, June 5, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Mäki-Matti Family Park, Oikokatu 7
Program:
10:15–11:00 a.m. Dance performances by children from the Jyväskylä Dance Academy
Students from the Jyväskylä Dance Academy’s Dance Factory camp will perform lively dances. Come watch the dances created by the 7–12-year-old campers and enjoy the cheerful and lively atmosphere!
11:00–11:30 a.m. Multicultural Center Gloria’s Sing-Along
12:00 p.m. Community Sing-Along: Harju Evening Song (A Song for the Homeland)
Meet on the slopes of Harju, near the Wäinö bookmobile, 10 minutes before the sing-along. The choir will be led by Gradia music teacher Meritta Pyykkönen. The event celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Harju Evening Concert. Everyone is invited to sing along! You can practice the song in advance on YouTube via this link.
1:00 p.m. Loiskis concert
12:15–1:00 PM and 1:30–2:30 PM Aunt Tättärä and Cat Kuu, Kehä Vihreä’s event artists will be roaming the park
All day long
Soap and music workshop, Laura Sahlman and Maria Typpö
Multicultural Center Gloria: information and language games
Wäinö Bookmobile
JYUniorit: come make the world’s biggest water drop, peek through a microscope, create art with tangrams, and explore soap bubbles
Vanha Kunnon Kahvila open
You can grill your own snacks at the park’s grill
Opening of the Tourujoki exhibition
Fri, June 5, 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Jyväskylä Art Museum Gallery, Kauppakatu 23
The opening day will be celebrated with a dance performance from 11:15 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., during which the ISO Tanhuujien children’s group will dance and lead the audience in dance. Free entry!
The Tourujoki exhibition is on view at the Jyväskylä Art Museum Gallery from June 5 to September 6, 2026
The museum will also feature an exhibition by Kirsi Neuvonen from May 16 to September 6, 2026
Summer Day on the Water – Experimental Floating Vessels
Fri, June 5, 12:00–3:00 p.m. Alvar Aalto Museum, Alvar Aallon katu 7
What would a summer day be without the lapping of the waves and the rocking of a boat on the water?
In this workshop, we’ll build all kinds of floating vessels. Let your imagination run wild, play with the materials, and build your own raft, boat, or even a floating island. You can test your vessel’s seaworthiness in the water basin during the workshop.
The workshop also introduces Alvar Aalto’s Nemo boat and summer activities at Koetalo in Muuratsalo. This workshop is open to all ages, and you can spend as much time as you like building your creation. Children must be accompanied by an adult. The workshop is included in the Aalto2 Museum Center admission fee; children under 7 are free.
Soap Bubble Blower Workshop
Fri, June 5, 1:00–5:00 p.m. Finnish Craft Museum, Kauppakatu 25
Send soap bubbles on their way with a homemade soap bubble blower. Come make your own colorful soap bubble blower by bending and threading beads, pipe cleaners, and wire. Once your blower is finished, you can test it out during a test-blowing session. You can also complete a small research task related to the “From the Forest to the Sauna” exhibition in the lobby gallery. On display in the lobby gallery: Sami Repo, “From the Forest to the Sauna,” May 30–August 23, 2026. The workshop and the research task are free and are activities for children to do together with an adult. The lobby gallery research task and the soap bubble blower-making activity are free of charge. Normal admission fees apply to other museum exhibitions. Suitable for all ages; children must be accompanied by an adult.
Millennia by the Water Workshop
Sat, June 6, 10:00–11:30 a.m. Central Finland Museum, Alvar Aallon katu 7
Join us to learn how people in Central Finland have lived by the water for millennia. First, we’ll tour the “In Search of Central Finnish Identity” exhibition together and reflect on how water has been present in the lives of Central Finns throughout different eras. We’ll examine prehistoric finds, listen to a mythical bear poem, and peek inside a smoke sauna. At the same time, we’ll hear fun stories about life in Central Finland in the past. At the end of the tour, we’ll craft our own dream lake landscape. Suitable for ages 4–12 accompanied by an adult. The workshop is included in the Aalto2 Museum Center admission fee; free for children under 7.
Finland as a Stage dance workshop
10:30–11:30 a.m. Villa Rana Cultural Center garden, Seminaarinkatu 13
"Dance Path in the Garden" is a fun and adventurous workshop that invites you to explore the wonders of the garden through dance. We’ll dance with swaying blades of grass, fluttering leaves, soaring birds, and crawling worms. The orchestra features buzzing bumblebees, chirping birds, rustling bushes, the sighing wind, and drumming raindrops. This dance for the whole family stimulates creativity and a connection to the surrounding nature, sensitizing participants to see, hear, and feel what is happening around them. The workshop is suitable for everyone; no prior experience is required. The terrain may be hilly and uneven. Instructor: Sanna Hento.
The workshop is part of the Suomi näyttämönä dance project, in which Sanna Hento dances her way across Finland, from Helsinki to Utsjoki, and will be dancing in Jyväskylä just in time for the LystiKylä weekend.
Free entry!
Let’s meet at Kompassi!
11 a.m.–4 p.m. / Free entry!
Kompassi on the pedestrian street
12–2 p.m. Kupla Kopla’s giant bubbles
Tawast Shopping Center
11 a.m.–4 p.m. Taikamaa’s animal craft station
11 a.m.–1 p.m. Face painting station
11:30 a.m.–12 p.m., 1–1:30 p.m., 2–2:30 p.m. Candy bingo
12–12:30 p.m., 2:30–3 p.m. Fishing
3–4 p.m. Taikamaa’s Balloon Magician
Sokkari Shopping Center
12–1 p.m. Aunt Tättärää and Cat Kuu, 2nd floor
12–2 p.m. Face painting, 2nd floor
Forum Shopping Center
11 a.m.–2 p.m. Wheel of Fortune, 3rd floor
12–2:30 p.m. Gymnastics and tricks, Dance and Gymnastics Club Illusion Pre Junior, 2nd floor
Jyväskeskus
11 a.m.–3 p.m. Miniature painting, Fantasy Games
11 a.m.–3 p.m. Drawing contest, McDonald’s
11 a.m. The Little Mermaid, 15-minute performance + Meet & Greet 1 hour
12:00 p.m. Sylvanian Families Bunny, Partanen Toy Store
12:30 p.m. Candy Rain
1:00 p.m. The Little Mermaid, 15-minute performance + 1-hour Meet & Greet
2:00 p.m. Sylvanian Families Bunny, Partanen Toy Store
2:30 p.m. Candy Rain
Taidepiilo’s Kalajuttu
11 a.m.–4 p.m. Villa Rana Cultural Center, Paulaharju Hall, Seminaarinkatu 13
Taidepiilo’s Kalajuttu in the art tent takes you on a dive beneath the water’s surface, into the realm of sea creatures. Families can explore different colors, materials, and shapes by marveling, touching, playing creatively, and lounging around. The workshop celebrates underwater life and lets you create the most imaginative sea creatures! Suitable for children of all ages, from babies to school-age kids.
Free entry!
Life by the Water in Days Gone By workshop
Sat, June 6, 12:00–3:00 p.m. Crafts Museum’s Kuparisepäntalo and Sparvin Museum Shop, Toivola’s Old Courtyard, Cygnaeuksenkatu 2
What kinds of water games did people play in the old days? How was laundry done before washing machines? Where did people get drinking water, and where did they bathe? And how was ice cream made without freezers? You’ll find out these and many other fascinating facts at the Crafts Museum’s workshop in the old Toivola courtyard. The workshop is self-guided, and you can participate at your own pace. Suitable for all ages. The Copper Smith’s House is not wheelchair accessible. The Sparvini Museum Shop has an outdoor staircase, and there are thresholds inside the building. Free entry!
Roskameri Workshop
12:00–3:00 p.m. Lyseo Courtyard, Yliopistonkatu 13
In this workshop for the whole family, we’ll be working with recycled plastic with a water theme. Our everyday plastic waste will be transformed into aquatic creatures. Under the guidance of artists, you’ll get to try out different techniques. The finished works will be installed as the Roskameri art installation, which will be on view in July as part of the rugged Old School demolition art exhibition. Materials provided on site. You can also bring your own inspiring plastic materials, such as a broken toy. The workshop is organized by Art Habitat ry and the City of Jyväskylä’s Cultural Services. Free entry!
The Old School exhibition in the Lyseo annex, which requires an admission fee, is open on Sat, June 6, and Sun, June 7, from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Half-price admission for workshop participants. Note: Only part of the exhibition is accessible. More info on IG: old.school.jkl
Time Travel to the Past Workshop
Sat, June 6, 12:00–4:00 p.m. Soihtu Exhibition Center, S Building, Seminaarinkatu 15
Film Screenings
Kino Aurora, Villa Rana Cultural Center, Seminaarinkatu 13
12:00–1:30 p.m. Moomin and the Dangerous Midsummer (S)
2:00–3:30 p.m. Flow (K7)
Moomin and the Dangerous Midsummer (S)
A peaceful summer day in Moominvalley is interrupted by a volcanic eruption and a massive tidal wave. The Moomin family finds refuge at the last minute in a strange house. It turns out that this is no ordinary house, but a stage—the home of Emma, who is passionate about theater. Somewhat reluctantly, Emma agrees to help when the Moomin family wants to put on a play. Things take an unexpected turn when the Moominvalley gang accidentally gets separated. Everyone arrives just in time for the premiere of the Moomin family’s play. The felt animation film was completed in 2008 and is based on Tove Jansson’s 1954 book *Dangerous Midsummer*. The film is in Finnish. Free admission.
Flow (K7)
A brave cat encounters a massive tidal wave and takes refuge on a boat with other animals. The animals embark on an adventure-filled journey through stunning nature and mysterious cities—a new, unfamiliar world where cooperation and friendship are paramount. Flow is an emotional adventure film where animals truly get to behave as they would in nature. The film features music that was partly produced in Finland. The film has won numerous major international awards, culminating in the Oscar for Best Animated Feature. Wordless. Free admission.
Aarne Alligator & Jungle Drum
3:00–3:40 p.m. Toivola’s Old Courtyard, Cygnaeuksenkatu 2
Aarne Alligator & Jungle Drum play the jungle’s happiest and catchiest children’s music! Joining Aarne on stage are two friends in safari outfits, Tobbe and Jocke. Tobbe sings and plays the accordion, while Jocke plays the guitar. Aarne clowns around, always coming up with pranks, and plays the jungle drums. Aarne Alligator has been viewed and listened to over 400 million times on Aarne’s own YouTube channel. In 2024, he also made it to the big screen in the form of a movie. Aarne’s music has gone 4x platinum in Sweden, 3x platinum in Finland, and 2x gold in Denmark. Tickets €12 at verkkokauppa.jyvaskyla.fi
Theater ilmi ö: Sea of Plastic Bags
4:00–4:45 p.m. Veturitallit, Veturitallinkatu 6
Sea of Plastic Bags is an experiential performance about the sea, plastic, and sea creatures. The theater takes the audience to the seashore, to the sand and the stones smoothed by the sea, to feel and hear what the sea has to say today. After the performance, the audience can spend time on stage and explore the constructed landscape.
• Suitable for children aged approximately 3–10 and their families
• Duration: 30 min + 15 minutes of shared time
• Café Kisko is open during the event
• There are no public parking spaces in the locomotive depot yard
• Cars can be parked at the nearby P-Matkakeskus
Direction and actor: Minna Savin
Visual design: Johannes Saljas
Technical support: Katri Mehto
Puistopartio
10:30–11:15 a.m. Lounaispuisto, Seminaarinkatu 34
Puistopartio is a children’s music group whose songs are about construction vehicles. Puistopartio’s cheerful and educational videos have gained huge popularity on YouTube. The disco vibe gets the tracks rolling, and there are also songs for moments of calm. Come join Puistopartio to sing along and move to the beat of the construction machine dances! Meet & Greet after the performance.
Large vehicles will be on display at Lounaispuisto during the event, and you’ll have the chance to explore them. The event will feature a café run by 4H youth entrepreneurs.
Tickets €12 verkkokauppa.jyvaskyla.fi
“Millennia by the Water” Workshop
Sun, June 7, 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Central Finland Museum, Alvar Aallon katu 7
Join us to learn how people in Central Finland have lived by the water for millennia. First, we’ll tour the “In Search of Central Finnish Identity” exhibition together and reflect on how water has been present in the lives of Central Finns throughout different eras. We’ll examine prehistoric finds, listen to the mythical Bear Rune, and peek inside a smoke sauna. At the same time, we’ll hear fun stories about life in Central Finland in the past. At the end of the tour, we’ll craft our own dream lake landscape. Suitable for ages 4–12 accompanied by an adult. The workshop is included in the Aalto2 Museum Center admission fee; free for children under 7.
Taidepiilo’s Kalajuttu
11 a.m.–4 p.m. Villa Rana Cultural Center, Paulaharju Hall, Seminaarinkatu 13
Taidepiilo’s Kalajuttu in the art tent takes you on a dive beneath the water’s surface, into the realm of sea creatures. Families can explore different colors, materials, and shapes by marveling, touching, playing creatively, and lounging around. In the workshop, we’ll celebrate underwater life and create the most imaginative sea creatures through art! Suitable for children of all ages, from babies to school-age kids. Free admission!
Finland as a Stage dance workshop
12:30–1:30 p.m. Villa Rana Cultural Center Garden, Seminaarinkatu 13
The Dance Path in the Garden is a fun and adventurous workshop that guides participants to explore the wonders of the garden through dance. Let’s dance with swaying blades of grass, fluttering leaves, soaring birds, and crawling worms. The orchestra features buzzing bumblebees, chirping birds, rustling bushes, the sighing wind, and drumming raindrops. This dance for the whole family stimulates creativity and a connection to the surrounding nature, helping us to see, hear, and feel what is happening around us. The workshop is suitable for everyone; no prior experience is required. The terrain may be hilly and uneven. Instructor: Sanna Hento.
The workshop is part of the Suomi näyttämönä dance project, in which Sanna Hento dances her way across Finland, from Helsinki to Utsjoki, and will be dancing in Jyväskylä just in time for the LystiKylä weekend
Race Horse Company: Karlos Karvanaama and a whimsical circus featuring unusual animals
2:00–2:30 p.m. Villa Rana Cultural Center, Blomstedt Hall, Seminaarinkatu 13
The director (Kalle Lehto) presents a diverse array of circus acts featuring unique animals and packed with physical comedy. Karlos Karvanaama and the Crazy Circus of Unusual Animals is a show suitable for all ages, featuring adventures in various environments such as underwater, on land, in the air, and in space. The performance is wordless. Recommended for ages 1 and up. Race Horse Company’s versatile and extremely physical acrobatic performances have left a lasting mark on the circus world. A strong focus on international touring has made Race Horse Company one of the phenomena of Finnish and international performing arts.
Tickets €10 at verkkokauppa.jyvaskyla.fi
Teatteri Repliikki: The Village Circus of the Fools
3:00 p.m. Toivolan Vanha Piha, Cygnaeuksenkatu 2
Tickets and more information: toivolanpiha.fi
Mutaveijarit
3:00–3:45 p.m. Lounaispuisto, Seminaarinkatu 34
The whole family’s favorite band, Mutaveijarit, kicks off the LystiKylä closing party!
The cheerful and playful children’s music band Mutaveijarit takes its audience on muddy adventures and exciting waterways! Mutaveijarit is known for its energetic stage performances and captivating songs that blend various musical styles, enjoyed by both children and adults alike. The event features a café run by 4H youth entrepreneurs.
Soon..
LystiKylä brochure (in Finnish)