On 7 March, the City of Mikkeli turns 187 years old. The anniversary will be celebrated with a diverse programme. Please note that most events are in Finnish, but one guided tour of the City Hall will be conducted in English.
Tuesday, 4 March 2025
Safe banking and birthday week raffle
10:30–12:30
Oma Säästöpankki, Mikonkatu 6
Come and learn about safe banking! At the same time, you can explore the bank’s new premises and take part in a raffle held in honour of the city’s birthday week.
Joyful Cultural Moments for Seniors Through Music: These events are intended for residents of the respective care homes and their loved ones. Organised by Mikkeli City Cultural Services.
Thursday, 6 March 2025
“Everyone needs a companion!” – Talk from 14:00 to 15:00. Mikkeli Library, Mikkeli Hall.
Psychologist Satu Lähteenkorva will be the speaker (in Finnish). Free entry. The event can also be attended via live stream.
Open doors at Otava Stone Workshop – Come try stone polishing 09:00–13:00. Visitors to the event will have the chance to explore various types of stones, learn about the workshop’s activities, and, if they wish, polish a stone pendant for themselves. Every visitor will receive a stone polished with a tumbler. The workshop is located at Röppääntie 5 in Otav
Achieving dreams through saving and investing and birthday week raffle
10:30–12:30
Oma Säästöpankki, Mikonkatu 6
Come and learn how to achieve your dreams through saving and investing, and ask any questions you might have about the topic. You can also explore the bank’s new premises and take part in a raffle held in celebration of the city’s birthday week.
Friday, 7 March 2025
Traditional City Hall tours
12:00 – in Finnish
14:00 – in Finnish and interpreted in Finnish sign language
15:30 – in English
17:00 – in Finnish
Poems from one person to another: Poet and performer Lea Suopelto will meet with locals and write personal poems for them. Each person will receive a poem as a keepsake. A limited number of poems will be written 10:00–12:00 and 14:00–16:00, Mikkeli Library.
Music of memories concert, 12:00–13:00, Mikkeli Hall (2nd floor of Mikkeli Library)
Heidi Lehtoranta (violin) and Tuukka Lehtonen (violin and vocals) will perform Finnish and international evergreen melodies. Free entry. The venue has space for 100 people.
Kenkävero events!
Pursialankatu 6, Mikkeli
Free birthday lunchtime bingo, 13:00–14:00 at the main building.
Lunch served from 11:00–15:00 with prices depending on your choice.
No pre-registration required.
The Urban Wibe – Marshal Mannerheim’s chocolate cake
11:00–16:00
Mikkeli Market Square
Marshal Mannerheim was a great food enthusiast, and he often influenced the dishes served at dinner parties. One of his favourite desserts was chocolate cake, and The Urban Wibe will serve homemade chocolate cake to customers with other purchases in celebration of Mikkeli’s birthday.
Mikkeli 187th anniversary open party – dance school and circus school celebrate Mikkeli!
17:30–20:00
Paukkulinna, Paukkulantie 22, SNO Campus, 50100 Mikkeli
Theatre Restaurant ILO – Stand-up show
19:00 (in Finnish) and 21:00 (in English)
Hallituskatu 7
Free entry
Joyful karaoke dance
18:00–21:00
Vekkula, Otavankatu 7
Come and sing and dance! Additionally, you can explore Vekkula’s amazing costume collection and participate in fun activities like role-playing or capturing a new “look” in a photo. The Vekkula café will be open during the event. Free entry.
Frames and Style Day
10:00–17:00
NäköDuo, Savilahdenkatu 5–7
Style expert Hanna Loutesalmi will style customers, assist with choosing new eyewear frames, and offer makeup tips. A wide range of special glasses frames and sunglasses will be available to view on Mikkeli’s birthday. Appointments for styling are recommended in advance by calling NäköDuo at 050 408 2708.
Saturday, 8 March 2025
Porrassalmi history cycling tour
Meet at Mikkelipuisto, in front of Greeneri at 10:00. Join a leisurely 18 km cycling tour around Porrassalmentie. At the Porrassalmi Battle Memorial, there will be a rest stop.Cycling is open to everyone interested. You will need a bicycle and helmet. No prior registration required. Weather permitting.
Aarne Alligator & Jungle Drum
Performances at 10:00 and 12:00 at Stella
Meet & greet after the first performance with Aarne Alligaattori!
Free entry. Changes reserved.
Mikkeli’s Birthday Dance Workshops
MiX Studio, Otavankatu 18. Join the celebration of Mikkeli’s 187th birthday with a day full of dance and music! All workshops are open-level.
11:00–12:00 Commercial (9–14 years old) | Teacher Cecile Ataei
Dive into the world of music videos! Commercial dance is energetic and focuses on choreography, performance, and attitude.
12:00–13:15 Breakdance (16+ years old) | Teacher Okko Soila
Learn the basics of breakdance and develop your own style! The class includes floor and upright dance, coordination, and body control training.
13:30–14:45 Contemporary show dance (adults) | Teacher Sanni Parkkinen
A mix of contemporary dance creativity and the storytelling aspect of show dance. Move with the music and enjoy dancing at your own level.
14:45–15:45 Show dance (special needs youth & adults, assistants welcome) | Teacher Sanni Parkkinen
Joyful and energetic show dance focusing on expression and fun!
Free event, limited spots available. Pre-registration required: MiX Studio Registration.
Try frisbee golf!
12:00–15:00
Saimaanportti school gym. The event is open to all, regardless of skill level. No equipment needed.
Muisti and the Headquarters Museum
All tickets are only 5 euros per person! Come and explore the exhibition.
Empowering sword dance course
14:00–18:00
Lyseo school, Porrassalmenkatu 30
The course includes traditional Korean swordsmanship and creative musical expression. Each participant will receive a long exposure photograph with their sword as a memento. No prior martial arts or dance experience needed. Recommended for ages 12+, younger children can attend with a parent. Pre-registration required via the association’s website: Hdgdmikkeli.fi.
Be the queen – Women’s pampering night
18:00
Theatre Restaurant ILO
Mikkeli businesses come together to organize a pampering evening for women. Enjoy a fashion show, jewelry workshop, makeup tips, and relaxing treatments. Tickets: 20 euros including a glass of bubbly.
Tickets and reservations: Email: ilo@teatteriravintolailo.fi, Tel: 045-174 88 84, or online at Teatteriravintola ILO.
Mikkeli table tennis – National competitions
9:30
Rantakeidas gym and spectator area. Free entry for spectators.
Sunday, 9 March 2025
Family ice fishing event at Haukivuori harbourKyyvedentie 6, 51600, Haukivuori
10:30–13:00
No personal ice fishing equipment is needed.
Weather permitting. Free event.
Mikkeli through Sylvi’s eyes – walking tour15:00–16:00
Guided by Helena Partanen and Elsi Heimonen-Kerkelä. In Finnish.
Meeting point: Kirkkopuisto at 15:00
Ends at Pitäjänkirkko. Participation fee: 5 euros (cash only)
Throughout the birthday week / multiple days
Swimming pool discounts: Rantakeidas and Naisvuori, get a 50 % discount on all regular-priced adult and child single entry tickets from 3–9 March 2025.
Mikkeli City museums – birthday week offer
Suur-Savo Museum (Otavankatu 11, 50130 Mikkeli)
Wednesday, 5 March and Saturday, 8 March from 10:00 to 17:00
During this week, admission is 2 for the price of 1 (not valid for museum cardholders).
Mikkeli Theatre group offer
From 4–7 March 2025, groups booking tickets for Kesäteatteri (Summer Theatre) can receive 1 free ticket for every 10 tickets booked (minimum 20 people). Additionally, Mikkeli Theatre Club offers a 20 % discount on intermission refreshments.
Buy two tickets for the Sylvi play (3 March–10 May) and two tickets for the Summer Theatre’s Kekkonen play (2–5 July) for a total of 120 euros. Offer available only from the Mikkeli Theatre box office, Tuesday to Friday (4–7 March 2025). Cannot be combined with cultural benefits. No reservations.
Ramin konditoria – birthday week treats
Enjoy the special Mikkeli pastry in all Ramin konditoria cafes throughout the week. At Rami Visulahti, try the Mikkeli burger.
Mikkeli 187th anniversary bowling tournament
Friday–Sunday, 7–9 March 2025
Friday–Saturday: 12:00–21:00, Sunday: 12:00–16:00
Keilakampus Mikkeli, Patteristonkatu 1, 50100 Mikkeli
A free, one-round competition open to all ages and abilities, aiming for 187 points. Prizes related to Mikkeli’s history. No personal equipment needed. There will be special ramps and lighter balls for children and people with mobility impairments.
Mikkeli Camera Club’s photography exhibition
2–30 March 2025, 12:00–16:00
Maaherrankatu 31
Special extended hours on 7 March from 12:00 to 18:00 with coffee service. Free entry.
Breakfast Discount at Original Sokos Hotel Vaakuna
Enjoy a delicious and hearty breakfast for a discounted price of 12€ (normally 18€) at the Original Sokos Hotel Vaakuna Mikkeli throughout the birthday week, from Monday–Friday (6:15–9:30) and Saturday–Sunday (7:30–10:30).
Accommodation Offer at Original Sokos Hotel Vaakuna
Enjoy a relaxing stay with a room starting at 89€/night (H1 or H2) using the reservation code BVAAKUNA30 for stays from 3–9 March 2025. This includes accommodation for the specified number of guests, breakfast, and access to the hotel sauna. Limited availability. Book via sokoshotels.fi or directly by phone.
Note: Events and offers are subject to changes.