Rakkausviikko (Love Week) returns with plenty of events

3.2.2026 | Love Week returns to Kotka from 9–15 February 2026
The event highlights the values of the city of Kotka: love, fairness, and courage.

Program:

SUNDAY 8 FEBRUARY

  • 5:00 PM – Love Week pre-event: Choirs of Kotka – Love in the Air concert at Kotka Concert Hall, Keskuskatu 33. Kotka Grand Choir, conducted by Antti Koivisto. Tickets €10.
    Note: On Saturday 7 February, 4:00–4:45 PM, an open choir singing session will be held at the concert hall (songs include Kalliolle kukkulalle, Kotkan ruusu, and Kotkan poikii).

TUESDAY 10 FEBRUARY

  • 1:00 PM & 5:00 PM – Romantic film (S), 2023, at the Main Library Media Space, Kirkkokatu 24. Free admission.

  • 2:00–4:00 PM – Participants’ Kotka presentation at the Main Library, Kirkkokatu 24. Join us in exploring ways to strengthen community spirit in Kotka. The goal is to spread joy this spring by greeting friends and strangers, stopping for conversation, and creating more encounters across the city. Free admission.

  • 3:30 PM – Toddler Paint Bath at Pappila (Karhulantie 36 b). Painting hearts on a felt canvas. Register with Kirsi by 2 February via WhatsApp, email, or text at +358 44 725 9132. Free admission.

  • 4:00–6:00 PM – Free entry to the Maretarium Aquarium for couples, and coffee & treats at Merisydän Café for €5. Sapokankatu 2.

  • 6:00 PM – Music from the World’s Stages concert at the City Theatre’s Naapuri Stage, Keskuskatu 15. Tickets €27 via lippu.fi or theatre box office. A versatile concert designed by soprano Eilamaria Leskinen, pianist Jouni Somero, and theatre director Reijo Pauku, featuring both singing and piano performances, with music familiar from Pauku’s productions and theatrical elements.

  • 7:00 PM – Love Week Poetry Club at Pub Albert, Kotkankatu 9. Free admission.

WEDNESDAY 11 FEBRUARY

  • 11:00 AM–1:00 PM – Gentle Dreams at Kohtaamisten Keittiö – free Dream Board workshop. Guided moment of gentle dreaming and writing. Register by 4:00 PM on 10 February. Limited to the first 50 participants. Ruotsinsalmenkatu 13. Free admission.

  • 12:00–3:00 PM – Mielipaikka’s Love Fest: love karaoke, love waffles, and other love- and friendship-themed activities. Mielipaikka, Koulukatu 10 B. Free admission.

  • 1:00 PM – Tuppura’s Jussi: Pia Aurala presents a short play based on Aaro Hellaakoski’s poem. A humorous tale of a countryman decorating his elderly wife with gifts from a city trip, plus memorable love songs through the decades. Muistojen Talo, Merikatu 3. Free admission.

  • 3:00–8:00 PM – Pappila open to youth. At 6:00–7:00 PM, themed discussion on Fairness, Love, and Courage. Karhulantie 36 b. Free admission.

  • 4:00–8:00 PM – New Kotkans event at City Hall, Kustaankatu 2. Invitation only.

  • 5:00 PM – Juha Vainio Society karaoke evening Friendship and Love in Junnu’s Words, Restaurant Humppa, Kirkkokatu 7. Free admission.

  • 6:00 PM – Vellamo Sings, Love Week concert: Music school students perform pieces about friendship and love. Tornatorintie 99. Free admission.

THURSDAY 12 FEBRUARY

  • 5:30 PM – Literary Encounters: author Anu Joenpolvi, known from the rural-romantic Rantakylä book series, at Main Library Stage, Kirkkokatu 24. Free admission.

FRIDAY 13 FEBRUARY

  • 1:00 & 2:00 PM – Kotka-Kymi Parish offers midweek wedding ceremonies. Karhula Parish Chapel reserved for couples at 1:00 & 2:00 PM, Married on a Weekday concept. Karhulantie 33.

  • 1:00 PM – Romantic drama film (K16), 2018, at Karhula Library, Karhulantie 40. Free admission.

SATURDAY 14 FEBRUARY – VALENTINE’S DAY

  • 12:00–3:00 PM – Valentine’s with the Moomins at Merikeskus Vellamo, Tornatorintie 99. The Courage, Love, Freedom! Moomin exhibition invites visitors on a magical journey through the dark forest to peaceful Moominvalley, with opportunities to relax on seaside rocks. Moomintroll and Little My perform twice at the event in the Boat Hall and meet fans afterward. Also: coloring and activity stations, and a short film What Happened Next? in Finnish or Swedish. Children under 18 free; adults €15/10, Museum Card or Kaikukortti valid. Full program: www.merikeskusvellamo.fi

  • 12:00–2:00 PM – Miä❤️Karhuvuori Valentine Event at Karhuvuori Market Square. Various organizations present activities; sausages, juice, and marmalade provided. Organized by Koskenrinne’s Joy to the Day project, Kotona täälläkin, and Kotka-Kymi Parish. Free admission.

  • 2:00–4:00 PM – Ella Tepponen & Esa Ylönen: Songs of Love Valentine’s concert at Satama Arena lobby. Listen to popular love songs interpreted beautifully by Ella Tepponen (vocals) and Esa Ylönen (piano). Concert explores young love, dramatic love, and selfless love. Includes classics from rhythm & film music, and Finnish love songs, e.g., La vie en rose, Romanssi, I Will Always Love You, Hymni rakkaudelle, Easy on Me. Free concert. Cake buffet available for €20/adult, €10 under 12.

  • 3:00 PM – Theatre group Kimara presents Emotions and Fragrances – Poems and Melodies of Love and Eroticism at Nelosteatteri, Satamakatu 4. Tickets €10 at the door (cash or MobilePay).

  • 4:00–8:00 PM – Valentine’s pancake buffet at Kat’s Cafe, Vesivallinaukio 10. Price €24.90. Table reservation recommended.

  • 5:00–6:00 PM – Valentine’s sound bowl relaxation at Kymin Church. Free admission. Bring a mat, warm clothes, socks, pillow, and blanket. No registration required. Led by Hanne Peri; blessing by Anna Mykrä-Siljander. Church doors open 4:40 PM.

OTHER EVENTS & ACTIVITIES

  • Love-themed exhibition at the Main Library, Kirkkokatu 24. Free admission.

  • February of Treats campaign at Pasaati shopping center, 1–28 February: earn a stamp at participating cafés & restaurants; 3 stamps enter a prize draw (e.g., 2-night stay at Sokos Hotel Seurahuone Kotka). Double stamps on Valentine’s Day. Details: www.pasaati.fi

  • 10–12 February – Open, free meals and gentle encounters at Kohtaamisten Keittiö, Ruotsinsalmenkatu 13, with love serenades, readings from the Love Story book, and shared favorite food memories. Free admission.

  • Four new videos premiere during Love Week, created in collaboration with Kotka City Theatre, Kotka Regional Music School, Kotka Lyceum, and Karhula High School. The project promotes youth participation, cultural wellbeing, equality, and acceptance of diversity.

  • Short love-themed task points at selected daycare centers, 9–13 February, for you and a loved one. Complete tasks at your own pace:

    • Velho Kindergarten, Ututie 1

    • Utumetsä Kindergarten, Ututie 2

    • Lankila Kindergarten, Aittakorventie 1

    • Rainbow Kindergarten, Rajakalliontie 12

    • Kotilo Kindergarten, Madesalmentie 2

    • Raitti Kindergarten, Laihontie 19

Program subject to change.

Keywords rakkausviikko
Target groups Residents Tourists