The free city festival Yläkaupungin Yö, held annually since 1992, will kick off the festival season in Jyväskylä on 15–16 May. The event spreads across 48 different venues, offering a total of 262 programme items. Visitors can experience music, theatre, dance, circus, workshops and art exhibitions, among many other things. Yläkaupungin Yö is the most diverse free event in Jyväskylä’s urban culture scene, providing plenty to see and do for all ages.

Music events are concentrated in local restaurants, including Ilokivi Venue, which closed as a regular gig venue in December but will reopen its doors through a joint effort by Yläkaupungin Yö ry and Jelmu ry, the association behind the Lutakko venue. Another major collaboration will take place on Saturday at Alvari Square, where an all-ages Beyond Skate Jam will be organised to celebrate Beyond Store’s 20th anniversary. In addition to skate competitions, the event will feature, for example, a graffiti workshop and live music. Saturday at Lounaispuisto will be opened by the children’s music ensemble Loiskis, after which Jyväskylä Piknik—organised by the City of Jyväskylä—will get the audience dancing to Finnish disco provided by the club Jytää & Iskelmää.

Dance and theatre can be enjoyed at Toivola Old Courtyard, in university buildings, and at the Villa Rana cultural centre. In the Aalto reading room of the University’s main building, visitors can experience audiovisual performances, while at the Mäki-Matti family park people of all ages can move and play. On Harju ridge, attendees can join the Nature League’s spring nature walk or witness the now-legendary Kati Puska performance. The Art Temple will host chess and rap, and Vesilinna will offer classical music. The programme also features fifteen different art exhibitions.