This weekend, Oulu´s own Porokarnevaalit reindeer festival will be held at the Oulu Market Square. The event will start on Saturday with a reindeer sprint race in which the world´s fastest reindeer will compete on an officially sanctioned, 201.12-meter racetrack.
On Sunday, those who don´t have a reindeer of their own will have a chance to take part in a walk-on reindeer race. The first twenty to sign up for the event will get the chance to race a reindeer-drawn sleigh provided by the festival.
Festival-goers will also be encouraged to try their hand at manning a sled dog team or a reindeer sleigh, and there will even be the opportunity to get a reindeer driving license. Coffee and other refreshments will be on sale in traditional Lapland-style tents.
Visitors can also try out ice-skating or snow tubing and climbing on the winter wonderland snow hill for the occasion.
At the end of February, the Oulu Music Festival will organize a concert titled Jäämusiikkia ("Ice Music") at the market square. In addition, March will see a kicksled polo match held at the market place, and a snow volleyball tournament will be held on the frozen beach at Nallikari.