LystiKylä festival

Babies and Toddlers' Morning at the Library

Friday, June 6th, 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
Jyväskylä City Library, Vapaudenkatu 39–41

Story Training for Toddlers and Adults

9:30 AM – 10:30 AM Jungle Adventure
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM Sea Adventure

Location: Minnansali, 1st floor

Story Training is a physical activity session for toddlers (ages 1-3) and their adults, where toddlers enjoy the journey, and adults get a full-body workout. Please bring athletic clothes and a water bottle. Organized by the Finnish Youth Associations' "Creatively Moving" project. Free entry, advance registration required.

The session is limited to ten toddler + adult pairs.

Registration for the Jungle Adventure
Registration for the Sea Adventure

Opening of the "Baby's Corner" Art Exhibition

10:00 AM – 11:00 AM: The opening of the Baby's Corner exhibition includes a dance and sensory moment aimed at baby families (10 min). Additional sessions if needed. Location: Children’s Department, 2nd floor. Instructor: Heta Hämäläinen from TaidePiiLO. Free entry.

Musikat and Kanatudens’ Summer Adventure

11:00 AM – 11:30 AM: In this participatory music session, we will sing, dance, and of course, have fun! Location: Children’s Department, 2nd floor. Free entry.

LystiKylä in Mäki-Matti

Friday, June 6th, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Mäki-Matti Family Park, Oikokatu 7

10:00 AM – 10:15 AM: Children’s Theater Pikku-Sohvi: Puss in Boots and Princess: Grand Opening of Lystimökki
10:15 AM – 11:00 AM: Performances by Jyväskylä Dance Institute (Singing Stage)
11:00 AM – 11:30 AM: Multicultural Center Gloria: Multilingual Messy Songs (Singing Stage)
11:00 AM – 2:00 PM: Colorful Community Art Workshop at the new Lystimökki for children’s culture, led by visual artists Johanna Juvonen and Biagio Rosa. Please bring protective clothing/apron or wear clothes that can get painted, as paint stains are hard to remove.
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM: Children’s Theater Loihu’s fairytale characters will play and interact with kids in the park.
12:00 PM: Reissaaja Band, Jyväskylä Parish (Singing Stage)
1:00 PM: Loiskis and Juhani Känkänen: Songs of Apo Apponen (Singing Stage)
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Finnish Youth Associations / Creative Stage Camps: Moments as an Artist Performances (Singing Stage)

All Day Long:

10:00 AM – 4:00 PM: Music School Piacello's Music Tent
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM: Library Bus Wäinö

The Old Reliable Café in the park is open all day. You can grill your own snacks at the park’s grill. Free entry.

Uno's Guided Walk

Friday, June 6th, 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM
Cultural House Villa Rana Park, Seminaarinkatu 13

“Not Forgetting the Importance of Play” is a playful guided walk combining songs and stories near Cultural House Villa Rana. Suitable for children and adults. In the guise of play, participants will learn about Jyväskylä’s history, as well as Uno Cygnaeus, his childhood, and his work establishing the teacher's seminary in Jyväskylä. Join alone or with family or friends. The walk will be led by actor Aaro Vuotila, portraying Uno.
The walk lasts approximately one hour. Some of the walk will take place on wooded and hilly paths in the campus area, so it is not accessible for those with mobility challenges.

Advance registration:

For the 3:00 PM walk
For the 5:00 PM walk

Invisible Child - Puppet Theatre

Friday, June 6th, 6:00 PM
Finnish Music Campus, Siltasali, Pitkäkatu 18–22

Theater Hevosenkenkä presents a puppet theater performance based on Tove Jansson’s story Ninni, the Invisible Child. Invisible Child is Tove Jansson’s wise tale of Ninni, a girl who faces misunderstanding, but with the help of Little My’s cleverness and the love of the Moomin family, she becomes visible again. However, a special skill is required for her to become visible, and Little My knows just how to teach it. What is this skill? You’ll find out at the theater.

Tove Jansson: Invisible Child
Directed and written by: Anne Rautiainen
Cast: Heidi Ajanto, Outi Haaranen-Halme, and Antero Nieminen
Set Design: Mimmi Resman
Puppets: Fanni Lieto
Lighting Design: Jyrki Sinisalo
Video Design: Jani Salmi
Music: Petri Tiainen, except for the final song composed by Dag Anders Rougseth
Lyrics: Moominmamma’s Song, The Big Apple Song, and Sleep Well, Children by Tove Jansson, translated by Vexi Salmi
Final Song / Ninni’s Song: translated by Pirkko Biström and Tarja Kontro
Musicians on tape: Inkeri Ruuskanen (clarinet), Petri Tiainen (other instruments)
Set Construction: Horst Wein and Thomas Bäckmann
Performance Technology: Jani Salmi and Janne Levänen
Performance Rights: Agency North and Moomin Characters

For children aged 3+ years. Duration: 45 minutes.
Illusion teams' café. A second performance will be held on Saturday, June 7th, at 11:00 AM.
Tickets: €12, available at verkkokauppa.jyvaskyla.fi

Invisible Child

Saturday, June 7th, 11:00 AM
Finnish Music Campus, Siltasali, Pitkäkatu 18–22

Theater Hevosenkenkä presents a puppet theater performance of Tove Jansson's story Ninni, the Invisible Child. Invisible Child is Tove Jansson's wise story about Ninni, a girl who faces misunderstanding but, with the cleverness of Little My and the love of the Moomin family, becomes visible again. However, becoming visible requires a special skill, which Little My knows how to teach. What could it be? You’ll find out at the theater.

Tove Jansson: Invisible Child
Directed and written by: Anne Rautiainen
Cast: Heidi Ajanto, Outi Haaranen-Halme, and Antero Nieminen
Set Design: Mimmi Resman
Puppets: Fanni Lieto
Lighting Design: Jyrki Sinisalo
Video Design: Jani Salmi
Music: Petri Tiainen, except for the final song composed by Dag Anders Rougseth
Lyrics: Moominmamma's Song, The Big Apple Song, and Sleep Well, Children by Tove Jansson, translated by Vexi Salmi
Final Song / Ninni’s Song: lyrics by Pirkko Biström and Tarja Kontro
Musicians on tape: Inkeri Ruuskanen (clarinet), Petri Tiainen (other instruments)
Set Construction: Horst Wein and Thomas Bäckmann
Performance Technology: Jani Salmi and Janne Levänen
Performance Rights: Agency North and Moomin Characters

For ages 3+. Duration: 45 minutes.
Illusion teams' café. The performance will also take place on Friday, June 6th at 6:00 PM.
Tickets: €12, available at verkkokauppa.jyvaskyla.fi

Meet at Kompassi on Saturday, June 7th

Kompassi Square

Take a peek into the glass container at Kompassi! The visual design of the container: Youth Art Workshop’s Tuunaten tuotteeksi group

Program at Kompassi:
12:30 PM and 1:30 PM: Duo Saras: Sarasarvinen and Miss Cotton Candy
2:30 PM: Balloon distribution

Tawast Shopping Center

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Face painting at Versonraitti (Jyväskylä POP UP)
11:00 AM – 3:00 PM: Troll Path and Elf Stones, as well as Magic Wand Workshop

Sokkari Shopping Center

11:00 AM – 3:00 PM: TaidePiiLO: Carnival Workshop on the 2nd floor, next to the play area.
In the construction workshop, participants create imaginative or artistic works using favorite materials, such as cardboard boxes and colorful tapes, with a touch of carnival-like chaos. The works can be taken home. Suitable for all ages.

Forum Shopping Center

11:00 AM – 11:20 AM: Jyväskylä Dance Institute: Dance is Fun performance
11:15 AM – 12:15 PM: Balloon and cotton candy distribution

Jyväskeskus

11:00 AM – 4:00 PM: Drawing competition – McDonald's
11:00 AM – 4:00 PM: Miniature painting – Fantasiapelit
11:00 AM – 3:00 PM: Meet the Mermaid Hannah – Kivikauppa Kristallilinna
11:30 AM: Hapen Pepe the Dog – Lelukauppa Partanen
1:00 PM: The Snow Queen and Ice Princess: A Royal Moment performance. After the performance, meet the princesses until 3:00 PM.
3:00 PM: Sylvanian Families Rabbit – Lelukauppa Partanen
4:00 PM: Hapen Pepe the Dog – Lelukauppa Partanen

Sun Dance & Movie: My Neighbor Totoro

Saturday, June 7th
Cultural House Villa Rana, Seminaarinkatu 13

Sun Dance

10:30 AM – 11:30 AM, Villa Rana’s garden
Sun Dance - a sensory-friendly dance moment offering a gentle presence for adults and children. Suitable for all ages. If it rains, the event will take place indoors.
Directed by Iiris Hilden.

Movie: My Neighbor Totoro (S)

12:00 PM – 1:30 PM, Kino Aurora, Cultural House Villa Rana, Seminaarinkatu 13

Hayao Miyazaki’s Totoro is a charming cornerstone of Studio Ghibli’s productions and perhaps their most treasured cinematic gem. Totoro is a tribute to the forces of nature. Miyazaki tells the story through the eyes of two young girls, aged 10 and 4, who explore their new home – where things are almost certainly haunted – and the nearby forest. Totoro is indifferent to adult endeavors of order and logic. Totoro spreads joy irresponsibly and arbitrarily. Totoro is like the weather, impossible to predict. One can only live according to it.

AdAstra Theater: Snot and Splash

Saturday, June 7th, 6:00 PM
Mäki-Matti Family Park, Oikokatu 7

Brothers Snot and Splash are spending their winter vacation at their grandmother's house in Suuvedellä when they suddenly find themselves solving a mysterious ice-hole theft case. At the same time, the brothers recall joyful moments from previous summers spent with their secret society. A musical play based on Juice Leskinen's classic books, premiering on June 7th. Performances in June and July 2025.

“We have many stories, which we make up ourselves.
The fun never ends when our thoughts are flying.”

Tickets and info: adastrateatteri.fi | Recommended age: 6+

Sukkalukko Concert & DJ Nalle

Sunday, June 8th, 11:00 AM
Lounaispuisto, Seminaarinkatu 34

Sukkalukko is a children’s music band formed in the spring of 2023, consisting of Susanna Volanto and Tomi Rajala. Tomi is best known for being a member of the band The Bätmäns, and Susanna is familiar to many from television children's programs. The band’s concerts also feature Janne Mathlin and Kalle Ylitalo.

Sukkalukko’s songs are upbeat pop music, with lyrics inspired by everyday life in families with children—yard games, friends, colds, and even socks! At a Sukkalukko concert, there’s no need to sit still; everyone is encouraged to jump, sing, and be silly.

Sukkalukko has released four singles, three of which have already made it to Spotify’s official Parasta lastenmusiikkia (Best Children’s Music) playlist. The band will release their debut album in June, adding to the celebration! The concert lasts for 40 minutes.

Before the concert, at 10:30 AM, DJ Nalle will entertain those arriving in the park. You can enjoy DJ Nalle’s music during and after the concert as well. DJ Nalle is a character from the Community Art School Hehkumahku. There will also be a café run by JNV’s Sirius team.

Tickets: €12, available at verkkokauppa.jyvaskyla.fi

Red Nose Company:  The return of the Little Red Riding Hood

On stage: Hanna Seppä and Minna Puolanto
Directed by: Niina Sillanpää
Written by: The Team
Lighting and Sound Design: Jere Kolehmainen
Costumes: Noora Salmi
Production: Red Nose Company / Elina Terho, Maija Kühn, Inka Virtanen
Graphic Design: Ilari Kallinen

Tickets: €14, available at verkkokauppa.jyvaskyla.fi

Mini-Cinema and Dance Workshop

Sunday, June 8th, 12:00–2:00 PM
Cultural House Villa Rana, Seminaarinkatu 13

12:00 PM – 12:30 PM: Koiramäki Movies (S)
1:00 PM – 1:30 PM: Mat and Pat (Hupsis-ukot) Movies (S), speechless
1:30 PM – 2:00 PM: Hupsis Dance Workshop

Inspired by the Hupsis-ukot characters, this dance workshop challenges participants to think about the body and movement in new ways. The light acrobatic workshop is perfect for adults and children to enjoy together. Directed by: Jori Reunanen. You can freely join any of the movie screenings or the dance workshop. Free entry!

Hevisaurus

Sunday, June 8th, 3:00–4:00 PM
Lounaispuisto, Seminaarinkatu 34

Komppi Momppi, Riffi Raffi, Milli Pilli, Muffi Puffi, and of course, Mr. Hevisaurus himself, will put on an entertaining live show in Lounaispuisto that will leave even the most stoic audience members energized. The catchy melodies, clever lyrics, and skillful arrangements combined with energetic performances and unexpected twists make Hevisaurus concerts often sell out. Their songs come with a guaranteed earworm!

Concert attendees will also have the chance to try graffiti painting (weather permitting) in Lounaispuisto from 2:00–3:00 PM. There will be a café by JNV’s Sirius team.

Tickets: €18, group/family tickets (4–5 people): €60, available at verkkokauppa.jyvaskyla.fi

Alvar Aalto Museum

Build nests, huts, cottages, and floating houses. Children will have the opportunity to explore the basics of construction, the importance of planning, and different elements of space. You are welcome to bring your own snacks or dine at the museum café. The workshops are suitable for children over 7 years old, and younger children can participate with an adult. Each workshop can accommodate 12 builders.

Hut-like House

Friday, June 6th, 10:00–12:00

Create a cute house, nest, or hut from natural materials for a fairy-tale or imaginary character. You can design a mini house for your own mascot or invent your own character.
Registration by June 4th: saara.mustonen(at)alvaraalto.fi.

Floating House

Friday, June 6th, 13:00–15:00

Build a colorful and airy house that can hang from a tree. In this workshop, you will explore the shapes and structures of bird nests and various woven constructions. You can hang your creation on the large birch tree outside the museum or take it home.
Registration by June 4th: saara.mustonen(at)alvaraalto.fi.

Greening House

Saturday, June 7th, 10:00–12:00

Learn about traditional log building techniques and construct a skillful log house using wooden sticks. As tradition goes, you’ll plant grass or wildflowers on the roof or in the yard.
Registration by June 5th: saara.mustonen(at)alvaraalto.fi.

Floating House

Saturday, June 7th, 13:00–15:00

Build a house that floats on water. You can test its buoyancy in the water basin in front of the Alvar Aalto Museum. Experiment with materials and shapes, and think like a boat builder!
Registration by June 5th: saara.mustonen(at)alvaraalto.fi.

Aalto2 Museum Center
Alvar Aallon katu 7
Regular ticket: €18
Children 7–17 years: €4
Children under 7: Free
Seniors, unemployed, students, conscripts, and civil service personnel: €10

Central Finland Museum

KeMu’s Nappula Fun Zone always offers various fun activities for both young and older museum visitors. The tasks on display vary depending on the season and exhibitions. This summer, people of all ages can engage in crafting music-themed items. Would you like to make your own rhythm instrument, microphone, or maybe a paper accordion for play?
Did you know that on the 1st floor, you can listen to songs by the Lastenmusiikkiorkesteri Loiskis and get to know their instruments? Listen and participate with your own toy instrument!
DIY music activities at Nappula will be available until August 3rd.

KeMu's mascot, the regional bunny Wolmar, will guide the little ones through the secrets of Central Finland! Wolmar will lead a fun animal scavenger hunt through the Central Finland Search exhibition. Can you find Wolmar's very own comic strip hidden in the museum’s cozy side hallway?

Aalto2 Museum Center, Central Finland Museum
Alvar Aallon katu 7
Regular ticket: €18
Children 7–17 years: €4
Children under 7: Free
Seniors, unemployed, students, conscripts, and civil service personnel: €10

Central Finland Museum’s Handicraft Museum

Friday, June 6th, 11:00–17:00 & Saturday, June 7th, 10:00–16:00
Toivola Old Yard, Cygnaeuksenkatu 2

Mask Workshop

Design and create your own fun mask in a self-guided, free workshop. Will your mask feature a fairy-tale character, animal, or perhaps an imaginary creature? You can take your completed craft home with you. Materials for crafting and decorating are available at Sparvin's House. One craft per person.
In the neighboring Copper Smith’s House, you can explore old toys and look for items in the picture scavenger hunt. Please note, the museum is not wheelchair accessible.
Free admission.

Finnish Handicraft Museum

Explore the world of handicrafts. Where on earth have the Pikku-Otukset (Little Creatures) gone at the museum?

During the festival weekend, you can embark on a Museum Detective tour and, at the end of your visit, participate in creating a collaborative artwork by crafting your own version of the creatures. You’ll find the instructions and materials on the open workshop table.

The Museum Detective tour is designed for children and can be done with an adult. During the tour, you’ll embark on a fun adventure to find the Pikku-Otukset that have gone missing in the museum using image clues. You can pick up a hint list from the museum info, which will help you search for the creatures. Be aware that the Pikku-Otukset are easily startled, so approach them calmly and quietly! You’ll also get to examine various craft-related objects and materials, wondering what they might be.

Once you've completed the tour, you'll receive a small detective reward from the museum info. The task tour and crafting activities are included in the museum's entrance fee. Free for children under 18.

Finnish Handicraft Museum
Kauppakatu 25, Jyväskylä
Open Tuesday–Sunday, 11:00–18:00
www.craftmuseum.fi

Jyväskylä Art Museum

Enchanted Forest, Art Space Ilmiö
May 17th–September 7th, 2025, Tuesday–Sunday, 11:00–18:00

Step into the enchanted magical forest! What secrets are hidden there? This multi-sensory exhibition, created by students from the University of Jyväskylä’s teacher training and early childhood education programs, is designed for young children and a little older visitors too.

Enchanted Forest Character Workshop

Friday, June 6th, 12:00–16:00
What strange creatures live in the Enchanted Forest? Come and make your own character in the art museum's workshop.

Jyväskylä Art Museum

Kauppakatu 23
Free entry for those under 24 years old.
Others: Regular entrance fee.

Jyväskylä University Science Museum

Saturday, June 7th, 12:00–16:00
Exhibition Center Soihtu, S-Building, Seminaarinkatu 15

Time Travel to the Past – Self-guided Workshop

Take a time-travel journey 150 years back to the model school at the Jyväskylä Seminar! In this family-friendly workshop, you'll navigate different task stations around the Exhibition Center Soihtu. At these stations, you can, for example, build with Fröbel blocks, practice writing with a slate, and figure out what’s inside Uno Cygnaeus’ suitcase. The workshop is self-guided, so you can take part at your own pace. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Children’s Play Exhibition and Self-Guided Workshop

In the Children's Play workshop, you’ll dive into play and reflect on childhood through art. This workshop is also self-guided and can be done at your own pace. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Free admission.

Jyväskylä University Science Museum

Nature Museum, Ihantolantie 5 (Harjun Vesilinna)

Researcher’s Chamber Exhibition:

May 9th–September 28th, 2025

Open Tuesday–Friday, 12:00–18:00, Saturday–Sunday, 12:00–17:00 (except on holidays)

In the Researcher’s Chamber exhibition, you’ll explore citizen science and its importance to science. This exhibition was created in collaboration with the University of Jyväskylä's Digital Citizen Science Center. The Heritage of the Environment permanent exhibition showcases the biodiversity of Central Finland’s nature. Free entry.

JYUniorit – University for Children and Youth

University Library Lähde, Tietoniekka, Seminaarinkatu 15 B

Nature as a Friend Exhibition

May 9th–August 29th, 2025
Open according to the university library Lähde's opening hours.

The Nature as a Friend exhibition showcases children’s works created at JYUniorit – University for Children and Youth. In the exhibition, you'll have the chance to reflect on how friendship with nature is formed and maintained. What kind of friend is nature? There will also be self-guided activities for the whole family.
Free admission.