Livestock market procession and opening ceremony Thu 13.8.2026
The opening parade of the Elomarkkinat will be held on Thursday, August 13th, starting at 5:00 PM. The route of the procession runs from the RUK field along Kadettikoulunkatu to Raatihuoneentori, from where it continues along Fredrikinkatu to Puistokatu and then to Kaivokatu. The procession ends at the Flag Tower and disembarks on Kaivokatu after the intersection with Satamakatu. This year, the theme of the procession is CHILD-FRIENDLY HAMINA.
The street areas shown on the map (below) will be closed to vehicle traffic on Thursday, August 13, 2026 from 4:30 p.m. to approx. 6:00 p.m. (until the end of the procession). The closure is carried out by traffic controllers.
To ensure the safety of the Elomarkkinta opening parade, we ask that no vehicles be parked on the Elomarkkina parade route, from Raatihuoneentori to Fredrikinkatu and Puistokatu, on Thursday, August 13th between 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM.
Parked vehicles hinder the procession, obstruct visibility on the streets, create unnecessary congestion, and there is always a risk that a parked vehicle may get scratched by the crowd and the procession, which includes over 30 stalls in various carnival costumes.
The opening ceremony showcases the skills of young Hamina residents
Immediately after the procession, at approximately 5:30–7:00 p.m., a traditional opening ceremony will be held on the Vepa stage in the market square, where the Market Declaration will be read by Market Officer Pentti Hannula and this year's best procession group will be announced and awarded. The program will also include dance, circus and live music. The theme of the procession, CHILD-FRIENDLY HAMINA, is reflected in the opening program.
The Hamina Teen Circus' Show group members highlight the circus's long-term work. The association, which celebrated its 50th anniversary last year, is the oldest youth circus in Finland. The Hamina Teen Circus' weekly hobby activities at the Summa Village and Cultural Center reach out to children, young people and families of all ages. The hobby enables meaningful joint activities in physical activities that develop body control and coordination skills as well as social skills, without forgetting visuals and artistry. The performance, which can be seen at the Elomarkaika, Cafe Ole shows that anything is possible in a French café!
HaVe Step ry's child and youth dancers will perform Latin dances at the opening ceremony. Also performing will be Lisandra Sinka, who has been successful in Latin style and Latin show dance competitions in Finland and abroad.
The rock/metal band Höpönassut, formed by young people from Hamina, will perform last at the opening ceremony. The band has, among other things, won the band competition organized in connection with Norm Day in Hamina, and has managed to gather a solid fan base of locals and fans of heavier music from the region. The band has been around for about a year and a half with its current line-up. The members include singer Eino-Altti Kananen, guitarists Samuel Ensola and Vili Kierikko, bassist Lauri Granberg and drummer Antti Andrejev. The band's 30-minute set will include familiar classic covers and also the band's first original songs.
At 6:15 p.m. you can also go on a guided Runopolku tour organized by Hamina Region Guides, which visits several sites on the Hamina Runopolku. The departure takes place from the Flag Tower Park. The Runopolku is a route created jointly by the city and the Hamina Poetry Association in the green areas of the city center. Along the route, texts by poets from Hamina or otherwise connected to Hamina have been placed on park benches. The tour visits several sites on the trail and the tour lasts approximately 60 minutes.
Contact person:
Henni Kiri, Hamina Cultural Services
henni.kiri@hamina.fi
tel. 040 722 3687