Summer begins with Merefesti – experience the highlights of a human-sized urban festival

Relaxed Merefesti has been kicking off the summer season in Uusikaupunki for over 30 years. Come explore the festival this upcoming weekend and welcome the approaching summer in Uusikaupunki!

On the second weekend of June, the streets and beaches are filled with former, current, and summer residents of Uusikaupunki, as well as a delightful program designed for all ages. Come and enjoy the laid-back atmosphere of this human-sized urban festival!

Play at Merefesti

For the little ones in the family, Merefesti traditionally offers various fun activities throughout the entire Saturday. Right in the city center, at the market square and Rauhanpuisto park, kids can ride the horses at Wasaborg’s stable, play at Myllyniemi children’s park, and cuddle with adorable companion dogs. There are also show jumping competitions for stick horses in the park – come and see if you can leap over the highest obstacle!

In the morning, children and the young at heart can sit down and watch a puppet theater performance by Kasper, and if there are ants in their pants, the best way to tame them is to take a ride with the motorbike club. After the ride, it’s a good idea to visit the face-painting booth, which will decorate children’s faces in the afternoon.

It’s worth coming to Merefesti from afar as well! From Turku, you can experience the festival atmosphere by taking the museum train twice during Saturday. This nostalgic train journey is an experience in itself!

Get active at Merefesti

There’s something for every kind of sports enthusiast during the festival weekend! The active weekend starts on Friday with the Padel Uusikaupunki Open, followed by a street basketball tournament and the traditional “Kesäkuun Kutonen” running event on the beach early on Saturday morning. You can also explore the local athletics and strength training near the padel court.

In the beautiful forest scenery of Sorvakko, there will be a doubles competition in disc golf starting around noon on Saturday as part of Merefesti – there’s still time to sign up! If you’re interested in hockey, head to the market square for the ball hockey tournament. You’ll definitely break a sweat both on the field and in the stands while cheering!

If you’re not into competitions, you can focus on gentle movement and stroll around the city, enjoying the cheerful atmosphere of Merefesti. What better way to get some exercise while having fun!

Enjoy Merefesti

Uusikaupunki’s first urban festival of the summer is above all a celebration of the upcoming season – so fully enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of the city! Sit down and savor good food, drinks, and music at the beachfront restaurants, take a leisurely walk along the Pakkahuoneen beach to admire vintage cars and wooden boats, and stop to chat with familiar faces at a relaxed pace. There’s no need to rush in Uusikaupunki’s summer.

As the evening approaches, it’s a good idea to put on your dancing shoes and head to events such as the legendary Pooki courtyard for dances, Aquarius for a K-40 disco, or simply move from one terrace to another with dancing steps throughout the summer night.