Hurmos
Hurmos is the opening event of the academic year for higher education students in Oulu. The biggest opening of the academic year in Finland is held jointly with the Student Union of Oulu University of Applied Sciences, OSAKO and Student Union of the Diaconia University of Applied sciences, O’Diako. The event brings together the entire higher education community in Oulu.
For new students, the purpose of Hurmos is first and foremost to get to know the institutions and the whole community. Whereas for older students the event is an excellent opportunity to hang out with fellow students and celebrate the beginning of the new academic year.
Next Hurmos will be celebrated on 9–11 September 2026. Current information about the event from Hurmos website.
Hobby Appro
At Hobby appro or Happro interest societies working within OYY take over the Linnanmaa campus! The societies sell overall patches, present their activities and organise some programs. You can collect stamps to an appro pass, and when turning in a full pass you get the events overall patch. Happro is a great opportunity to get to know the different interest societies and find a student community for you. This year Happro will be on 7 October.
Torchlight Procession
The torchlight procession is one of the oldest academic traditions. The event is open for all members of OYY and alumni. The procession gathers by the Toripolliisi-statue, and the destination is the Oulu Cemetery in Intiö. Along the way, the procession stops to listen to a performance by Cassiopeia, the mixed choir of the Student Union.
The dress code for the procession is dark outerwear and a student cap or a Teekkari cap.
Annos
During the anniversary week, the Student Union’s anniversary is celebrated with events open for all members. The programme of the week consists of various events and activities on the campuses and elsewhere in the city. Throughout the years, the programme has consisted of, e.g., student parties, testing out new hobbies, discounted entrance fees in culture spots, discussion events, Care Dog visits, and many other interesting and fun activities to spice up students’ everyday lives.
The week culminates in the Student Union’s traditional Anniversary Ball, Annos. The main festivities are held on Kalevala Day, 28.2. and the preceding weekend. The Anniversary Ball is an event for all students of the University of Oulu, consisting of eating and drinking well, giving speeches and singing in accordance with the academic tradition in a fancy setting. In addition to the grand festivities, the annual academic honours are handed out to distinguished persons in organisations working under the Student Union. The Student Union ribbon to wear during academic celebrations can be purchased from the OYY office.
Wappu Kick off and Wappu Fair
Together with the umbrella guilds, OYY organises a Wappu Kick off party to start the May Day celebrations of the whole student community. In the previous years the Kick off party has been organised in Superpark, where you can also purchase drinks. The evening continues with an afterparty.
OYY’s Wappu Fair is organised at the Linnanmaa campus, in front of T2 doors. At the Fair you can update your overalls for Wappu, as the student organisations have overall patches for sale. In addition there is some program, and the first visitors will get to enjoy doughnuts and sima (mead)!