17/04/2026
Spring has reached the point where restaurant terraces have popped up on many street corners, and the open-air cafés at the harbour market have opened as well. This is where it all begins 🥰🌱
Alongside enjoying the beautiful weather, this weekend’s event lineup looks like this:
🧸 FRI 17.4. 5 pm to 6 pm Persian-language Storytime for children aged 0–5 in the Ulla Hall at the Main Library, Valtakatu 47. Free admission.
🎭 FRI 17.4. from 7 to 8 pm and SAT 18.4. from 2 to 3 pm and 6 to 7 pm Lappeenranta Student Theatre ActI presents: Ships to Sink, YO-Talo, Laserkatu 10.
🎭 FRI 17.4. 7 to 8 pm ans SUN 19.4. 3 to 4 pm The South Karelia Adult Education Centre Theatre presents in Finnish: Little Red Riding Hood, Lönnrotinkatu 1. The play is about a theatre where a fairy-tale production of Little Red Riding Hood is being rehearsed. However, the story gradually begins to spill over into the cast’s everyday lives through TV news and unexpected events. What is real, and what is a fairy tale? Free admission. Limited seating – reserve your spot by text message: +35840 5478046.
🛍️ SAT 18.4. and SUN 19.4. from 10 am to 3 pm Fortress Spring Market at the Green Warehouse Kristiinankatu 6. The event is aimed at the whole family.
There will be, for example, raffles, local small vendors, and other enjoyable activities. Both savory and sweet treats will be available at the market. Free admission.
🎈 SAT 18.4. from 11 am to 3 pm Kuutti Fest at the shopping center Galleria, Kauppakatu 40. The fest offers plenty of fun activities for the little ones, such as a bouncy castle, a name jewelry workshop, a painting workshop, and the Kuutti disco.
📚 SAT 18.4. 12 noon to 2 pm Silent book club at restaurant VENN, Brahenkatu 1
🧚 SAT 18.4.at 1 pm A 15-minute Storytime in Finnish at the Main Library, Valtakatu 47. Children of all ages are welcome with an accompanying adult. Free admission.
🐈 SAT 18.4. 2 pm to 5 pm Animal protection centre Miu’s Café is open, Itäinen Kanavatie 6. Through the windows of the café's cat rooms, you can watch the furry friends being cared for by the association.
🐎🎤 SAT 18.4. from 1 to 6 pm Racing Saturday (“Ravilauantai”) at Lappeenranta Racecourse, Raviradantie 13. At the racecourse, you can enjoy a high-level racing atmosphere throughout the day, interviews from the restaurant grandstand, and a family-friendly event day.
Restaurant Rakuuna serves a buffet during the races, so it’s recommended to reserve a table in advance through the officeby en email to: toimisto (at) lappeenravit.fi. Admission fee €0-15.
🎨🍷 SAT 18.4. from 4 to 6 pm Paint & Party open event at restaurant Teerenpeli, Kauppakatu 28. In the event, you will paint under the guidance of an instructor, enjoying a relaxed atmosphere.
At the end, you can take your painting home or leave it with the instructors for reuse. The price includes instruction and materials. The bar is open at your own expense. No outside drinks allowed. 18+, €45 per person.
🤸 SUN 19.4. from 9 am to 1 pm, quiet session from 9 to 10 am: Children’s Activity Land at Kourula sports hall, Katajakatu 10-12. Children have free access to various sports equipment, from balls to bouncy mats. Activity Land offers families shared activities and a wide range of opportunities for children aged 1–12 to play and be active. The activities at Activity Land are also well-suited for children with special needs. The fee is €2.70 per child
Concerts for all ages:
🎻 FRI 17.4. at 6 pm Saimaa Sinfonietta - Ilta oopperassa at the Lappeenranta Hall, Villimiehenkatu 1. Tickets from €0-34 from lippu.fi, at customer service center Winkki at the main library building, or on the 1st floor of the City hall one hour before the concert starts.
⛪ SAT 18.4. from 4 to 5:15 pm Musical “Korintti” - On Tour at Sammonlahti church, Hietakallionkatu 7. After the performance, there will be a youth café to support the Taizé trip. Free admission.
🎼 SAT 18.4. from 4 to 6 pm Lappeenrannan Karjalakuoro’s 50th anniversary concert, Koulukatu 36. Programme €10, including coffee and a pastry. Cash payment only.
🎶🎓 SUN 19.4. from 3 to 4:30 pm Teekkari Singers’ Spring concert at LUT University, Yliopistonkatu 34. Free admission.
🎺 SUN 19.4. from 6 to 7:15 pm Montola Wind Orchestra’s Spring concert at the Lappeenranta Music Institute, Koulukatu 36. Tickets €10-15.
At the Lappeenranta City Theater, Kaivokatu 5:
Tickets available from Customer Service Center Winkki at the main library Parvi (Valtakatu 47), via lippu.fi, and at the venue one hour before the show begins.
🎭 FRI 17.4. at 6:30 pm A co-production by Lappeenranta City Theater and Theater Kesy, “Kesyn KESKEN” – ranging in style from tragedy to comedy. Tickets from €20.
🎭 SAT 18.4. at 1 pm A co-production by Lappeenranta City Theater and Theater Kesy, “Kesyn KESKEN” – ranging in style from tragedy to comedy. Tickets from €20.
🎭 SAT 18.4. at 6 pm Kuningas kuolee. What happens when power stays concentrated in one person for too long? This human and tragically comic performance in Finnish explores the difficulty of letting go and the nature of selfishness. Tickets from €20.
Evening programme and gigs:
🍻FRI 17.4. from 5:30 to 9 pm and SAT 18.4. from 4 to 9 pm 4th Round at Birra – the after-spot for SaiPa’s games at the restaurant Birra, Kauppakatu 27. Free transport to the home games at Kisapuisto on weekends.
🎉 FRI 17.4. from 6 to 11 pm Opening of the event venue Nuijamies (18+) Valtakatu 39. Free admission, movie €15.
💃 FRI17.4. starting from 7 pm Hits of the Decades Night (“Vuosikymmenten hitti-ilta"), Valta Nightclub, Valtakatu 54. +20. Tickets €8.
🕺 FRI 17.4. starting from 9 pm Kyllikin iltahumppa (´Evening humppa´) at Kyllikki Kammari + Karaoke, Valtakatu 33. Free admission.
🎸 FRI 17.4. at 10:30 pm Laulava Sydän performing at restaurant Lamppu, Kauppakatu 27. Free admission.
🎤 SAT 18.4. Rap Night at night club Las Palmas, Valtakatu 33. Free admission
🔥 SAT 18.4. from 8 to 10 pm (doors open at 7 pm) Burlesque evening “Riisu Jo!” at Scandic Patria, Kauppakatu 21. Standard ticket €24.5.
🤘 SAT 18.4. at 8 pm Saimaan Rauha rokkaa: Mokoma and Kotiteollisuus performing at Holiday Club Saimaa Areena, Rauhanrinne 1. 18+. Tickets starting from €39,10 from lippu.fi.
🎤 SAT 18.4. klo 21 Olavi Uusivirta performing at event venue Nuijamies, Valtakatu 39. Tickets €38 from events.liveto.io or at the door, if tickets are still available.
🪩 SAT 18.4. starting from 9 pm Kyllikki’s Retro disco! at Kyllikki Kammari + Karaoke, Valtakatu 33. Free admission.
Sports:
🏒 FRI 17.4. at 6:30 pm Men’s Finnish Ice Hockey League’s Playoffs semifinals: KooKoo – SaiPa, in the fan zone at the Market square, Snellmaninkatu 14. Open to everyone, free of charge.
Please note, that...
Seating is limited; we recommend bringing your own folding chair.
The fan zone opens one hour before the game starts.
Bringing your own alcoholic beverages is not allowed.
Please leave umbrellas at home.
During the games, the Market Square will have food stalls, a SaiPa licensed tent, and two seating areas reserved exclusively for families with children.
The Market Square fan zone is presented by the City of Lappeenranta and Liiga-SaiPa Ltd.
🏃♂️🍺 SAT 18.4. 1 pm to 2:15 pm Saturday Run with Mikkeller Running Club Lappeenranta. There are two alternative distance options available: 8–9 km + approx. 3 km “penalty lap”. We’ll gather for a post-run beer at Tuju Taproom, Soittokunnanraitti 3.
MRC is an international running club that brings together running, friendship, and a love of good beer. Everyone is welcome, and non-alcoholic options are always available. Join your local chapter with the free Mikkeller Running Club app.
🏒 SAT 18.4. at 5 pm Men’s Finnish Ice Hockey League’s Playoffs semifinals: SaiPa – KooKoo at Kisapuisto ice hall and in the fan zone (“kisakatsomo”) at the Market square, Snellmaninkatu 14. The fan zone is open to everyone, free of charge.
️ Exhibitions:
✅ South Karelia Museum, and Lappeenranta Art Museum, tickets €0-15 (combined ticket for museums in the Fortress). Open Tue-Sun 11 am to 5 pm.
✅ Cavalry Museum, tickets €0-12. Open Wed-Sun 11 am to 5 pm.
✅Wolkoff House Museum, tickets €0-12. Open Sat-Sun 11 am to 5 pm. The house museum can only be visited on guided tours, that start at 11 am, 12 noon, 2 pm, and 3 pm. The shop is open from 11 am to 5 pm, and it will be closed during guided tours.
✅ Gallery Pihatto, Valtakatu 80 (drive via Kaukaankatu): ‘Kohti, part 2”, on display for the last day this Saturday. The exhibition explores both the inner self and the surrounding environment – Final thesis exhibitions by visual arts students, presented for the first time in Lappeenranta. Open Tue-Fri 11 AM – 6 PM, and Sat 11 AM – 3 PM. Free admission. The exhibition also extends to Art Center Itä.
✅ Art Centre Itä, Valtakatu 66: ‘Kohti, part 2’, on display for the last day this Saturday. The exhibition explores both the inner self and the surrounding environment – Final thesis exhibitions by visual arts students, presented for the first time in Lappeenranta. Open Tue-Thu 12 - 6 PM, Fri 12-8 PM, and Sat 12- 3 PM. Free admission. The exhibition also extends to Gallery Pihatto.
✅ Täky Gallery, Satamatie 10: Jutta Hämäläinen - Jollekin, jonka tunsin. Gallery and Shop open: Tue-Fri 11 AM – 5 PM, Sat-Sun 11 AM – 3 PM. Free admission.
Have a great weekend! ✨