The City of Turku celebrates Pride with equality, diversity and joy. Turku Pride Week will be celebrated on 24–30 August 2026 with the theme “The joy of being queer”.
Mayor of Turku Piia Elo will raise the Pride flag at the Market Square on Monday morning to mark the start of the week, and the Library Bridge is illuminated in rainbow colours throughout the week. The celebration week’s programme culminates in the parade and park festival on Saturday.
The theme highlights the importance of joy, visibility and community as part of equality work.
– Pride reminds us that equality is not just a value on paper, but everyday actions. Turku must be a city where everyone can feel welcome, safe and valued as themselves, says Mayor of Turku Piia Elo.
Pride Week programme invites everyone to join the parade, celebration and cultural events
Turku Pride Week features a wide range of cultural events around the city. The programme includes library events, workshops and guided museum tours exploring queer history. The week culminates on Saturday 29 August in the Pride parade and park festival. The parade starts at 12.00 from the riverside, and the celebration continues in Kupittaa Park until 17.00.
Programme for all ages at the Main Library
Turku Main Library takes part in Pride Week with a diverse programme. During the week, the library will host lectures, a Rainbow Disco, a Rainbow Seniors seminar and the Nordisk litteratursalong – goes Pride! event, with Rita Paqvalén as the guest author. In workshops aimed at young people, participants can make their own pins, signs or stickers. The Rainbow Flea Market also offers an opportunity to sell items such as your own art, clothes or other things you no longer need.
Clothes are customised in rainbow colours at the Pride fabric printing workshop
At the Pride fabric printing workshop on Wednesday 26 August from 17.00 to 20.00 at the Vimma Art and Activity Centre for Youth, participants can decorate and customise their own clothes in the spirit of Pride Week. Brush-on fabric paints in rainbow colours and screen-printing frames will be available. The paints are best suited for light-coloured fabrics containing natural fibres, such as cotton or linen. Participants can also buy a fabric bag at the workshop for 2–2.50€. The workshop is free of charge and intended for people over the age of 13.
Museums offer glimpses into queer history
The paid guided tours organised by Turku Museum Centre during Pride Week will take participants into rainbow history at the Pharmacy Museum and Qwensel House, Kurala Village of Living History and Turku Castle.
- Pharmacy Museum and Qwensel House: The guided tour Hentoja gentlemanneja ja mieskuntoisia fröökynöitä – Kurkistus 1700- ja 1800-luvun queeriyteen will be held on Saturday 29 August at 15.00. The tour examines historical queer everyday life and how it was reflected in the behaviour, appearance and social attitudes of the period.
- More information and tickets.
- Kurala Village of Living History: The Nahkasaapastelua ja hikisiä toukotöitä tour will be held on Wednesday 26 August at 17.00. The tour focuses on the life of Touko Laaksonen, also known as Tom of Finland, from childhood to around the 1950s, while also exploring the history of homosexuality in Finland.
- Turku Castle: The queer guided tour will be held on Thursday 27 August from 17.00 to 18.00. The tour explores topics such as 16th-century norms, everyday life at Turku Castle and perspectives on queer history.
The full programme for the week is available in the Turku region event calendar.
Turku Pride ry is a non-governmental organisation that organises the annual human rights event for sexual and gender minorities. In 2025, around 5,500 people took part in the Turku Pride parade. www.turkupride.fi