Celebrate European Geoparks Week at the Europe's Largest Crater Lake on 23.5.-7.6.2026. Join our trips, fairs and workshops for memorable times! All events are free and open for anyone. Impact Crater Lake Lappajärvi UNESCO Global Geopark welcomes you!
Below you will find more detailed information about our programme. Please note that advance registration for excursions and workshops opens on Monday 4 May at 8:00.
Sat 23 May
Opening of the Geopark Weeks
Itäkylän nuorisoseura, Luomalantie 17, Itäkylä
18:00 Itäkylän Iltamat. From 18:00 onwards: Arto Melleri Café. The programme begins at 19:00. Organized by Järvilakeuden kansalaisopisto and Saapas Nähä- Kulttuuria kaikille.
Come and meet the Geopark’s Executive Director Vilma Knibbs and Impact Crater Lake Lappajärvi UNESCO Global Geopark’s geologist Teemu Öhman. Vilma Knibbs will talk about Geopark’s activities in 2026.
Sun 24 May
Geopark Week event day, Hotelli Kivitippu, Nykäläntie 137, Lappajärvi
12:00–13:00 Kraatterijärvi Geopark and the hiking service Outdoor Active introduce themselves
13:30 Guided tour at the meteorite centre, geologist Teemu Öhman
14:30 Lecture on crater research, geologist Anna Łosiak. In cooperation with Järvilakeuden kansalaisopisto.
The space flight simulator is open. GEOPARK local food menu at Daniel's Grill Bar! Come and spend a pleasant day, enjoy good food, and explore interesting topics!
Tulivuorirock 1971–2016 exhibition open 12:00–16:00. Lappajärven kotiseutumuseo (Kotiahonkuja 9, Lappajärvi).
The Lappajärven kotiseutumuseo exhibition Tulivuorirock 1971–2016 tells the story of Finland’s second-oldest rock festival. The event was very popular among young people in the surrounding area and the region, and more widely as well, with attendance at its peak reaching nearly 10,000. Over the years the event featured international artists such as Bay City Rollers, Dr. Feelgood, Manfred Mann's Earth Band, Classix Nouveaux and Kajagoogoo, and Finnish acts including Dingo, Hurriganes, Wigwam, Hanoi Rocks and Stratovarius. The Tulivuorirock exhibition is a great place to reminisce about your youth and festival experiences through photos and music.
Free admission in honour of Geopark Week!
Mon 25 May
Lappajärven Geolukio, Hyytisentie 5, Lappajärvi
10:00 Lecture on crater research, geologist Anna Łosiak. In cooperation with Järvilakeuden kansalaisopisto.
Tue 26 May
Kanavapuisto accessible nature trail, Välijoentie, Lappajärvi. Parking address: Itäkyläntie 52, Lappajärvi
Tue 26 May 2026 13:00–15:00 and 16:00–18:00. Follow the forest reindeer’s trail – Hear about the hidden life of this unique and magnificent wanderer of our forests. Why do they appear in the Kraaterijärvi Geopark area only in winter? What do they do, and where do they live in summer? What do they eat?
We will walk along Kanavapuisto’s accessible cultural nature trail, with the guide sharing, through suitable stops along the way, the annual cycle of forest reindeer. The trail is 1.2 km long. The excursion ends at the Välijoki riverside kota kitchen, where campfire coffee/tea and juice will be served. Bring your own hiking mug, dress for the weather, and bring a curious mind!
Contact: Aana Vainio, Lillukkametsä tmi, tel. 0408268698 info@lillukkametsa.fi
Also mukana: Virtaa ja Vetovoimaa Luontomatkailusta-hanke. Campfire coffee. Please register in advance by 25 May here: Registration: Follow the forest reindeer’s trail – excursion 26 May 2026 – Fill in the form
Wed 27 May
12:00–14:00 Impact Crater Lake Lappajärvi UNESCO Global Geopark introduces itself! Come and meet our geologist Teemu Öhman and our Executive Director Vilma Knibbs. Maxi Kauppakeskus, Kurejoentie 2, Alajärvi
15:00–17:00 Workshop: Sustainable entry to international markets. Järviseudun matkailun järjestäytymishanke. Lukkarin Puustelli, Kirkkotie 523 Evijärvi. What are the opportunities and prerequisites for sustainable international tourism in a UNESCO Global Geopark area? Come and hear how a business can join the Geopark partner network, and how the operating environment of the Kraatterijärvi Geopark area supports the development of sustainable international tourism.
Registration: Sustainable entry to international markets – workshop – Fill in the form
Fri 29 May
15:30–18:00 Wind sports on Europe’s largest crater lake
The local wind sports community Crater Surfers will present wind sports equipment at the Katajalahti fishing harbour. Come and learn about the sports and gear from local enthusiasts, and hear what wind sports on Lappajärvi are like. Weather permitting, there will be an eFoil surfing demo! The village association kiosk will be open, and there will be fire in the grill hut. Event subject to weather.
18:00 Space wonders at Karvalan Unski. Lecture by geologist Teemu Öhman. Come to listen and discuss the wonders of space—what scale do we live in within the universe? Karvalan Unski, Karvalan kuja 2, Lappajärvi.
19:00 Cosmic pub quiz Karvalan Unski’s traditional pub quiz with a cosmic twist! Karvalan kuja 2, Lappajärvi.
Sun 31 May
12:00 Guided cycling trip in Alajärvi. In cooperation with Järvi-seudun Ammatti-instituutti and Virtaa ja Vetovoimaa Luontomatkailusta-hanke. Join us for a pleasant bike ride on your own bicycle. We’ll cycle a route suitable for everyone and hear guided commentary at sites along the way. Register for the bike ride here: Registration form – Fill in the form
12:00–16:00 Tulivuorirock 1971–2016 exhibition open. Lappajärven kotiseutumuseo, Kotiahonkuja 9, Lappajärvi.
Free admission in honour of Geopark Week!
Mon 1 June
15:00–19:00 Guided family nature trip and sauna. Valkealampi, Valkealammentie 200, 63510 Alajärvi. With Järvi-seudun Ammatti-instituutti and Virtaa ja Vetovoimaa Luontomatkailusta-hanke. First we will take a short nature route suitable for the whole family, and after that the sauna will be heated from 17:00 to 19:00. Bring your own snacks. Don’t forget your swimsuit! Please register in advance here: Registration form: Guided family nature trip and sauna – Fill in the form
Tue 2 June
9:00–11:00 Bird trip at the Evijärvi Bird Tower. With Luontotaito Ry’s bird expert. Kaustisentie 154, Evijärvi. Departure at 09:00 from the parking area. Come observe birds and enjoy the peace of nature! Bring your own binoculars!
Wed 3 June
14:00–16:00 Relaxed bird trip at the Verijärvi Bird Tower. Takamäentie, Lehtimäki. Departure at 14:00 from the parking area. In cooperation with Virtaa ja Vetoimaa Luontomatkailusta-hanke. We’ll head out together to listen and observe what birds are around. Bring your own binoculars! Campfire coffee. Remember to bring your own hiking mug—let’s protect nature! No advance registration.
17:00–19:00 Workshop: Associations as contributors in the UNESCO Global Geopark area, Kraatterijärvi Geopark and Järviseudun matkailun järjestäytymishanke. Suokonmäen kotiseututalo, Suokonmäentie 69, Lehtimäki. What is the role of association actors and what opportunities do associations have in a UNESCO Global Geopark area? Come and hear how an association can take part in Geopark activities and join the Geopark partner network. Please register in advance by 1 June here: Registration form: Associations as contributors in the UNESCO Global Geopark area – workshop – Fill in the form
17:00–20:00 Summer at Palotori, Alajärvi. I mpact Crater Lake Lappajärvi UNESCO Global Geopark takes part to summer evening event at Palotori. Come and meet us! Geologist Teemu Öhman a.k.a Rock-Teemu will happily answer your questions!
Fri 5 June
12:00–14:00 World Environment Day at the Pappilanmäki traditional meadow. Kirkonkyläntie 220, Lehtimäki. Open doors at Pappilanmaen Perinneniitty. The museum is open during the event! Explore the Pappilanmäki traditional meadow and cultural landscape. Organised by the Kestävien Yhteisöjen purot and Puuhis projects in cooperation.
Sat 6 June
10:00–12:00 Katajalahti fish market. Sustainable fishing in the Kraatterijärvi Geopark area—Reijo Salmela will talk about sustainable fishing and the work being done to support it. Katajalahden kalasatama, Vimpeli. Also present: Impact Crater Lake Lappajärvi UNESCO Global Geopark’s Executive Director Vilma Knibbs.
12:00–14:00 Geology nature excursion on Uittomiehenlenkki, guided by geologist Teemu Öhman. Uittomiehenlenkki 4.8 km. After the excursion, a guided visit and campfire coffee at Uittomieskämppä from 14:30 onwards. Meet at the parking/departure point, which you will come to when driving along Evijärven Uittomiehentie for about 300 m. Duration about 2 hours. Weather-appropriate gear; the route may have wet sections, so water-repellent footwear is recommended.
Uittomiehentie, Evijärvi. Please register in advance by 3 June:
Registration for the geology nature excursion on Uittomiehenlenkki – Fill in the form
Sun 7 June
Closing of the Geopark Weeks at Vimpelin Lakeaharju, Lakeaharjuntie 100, Vimpeli
11:00–13:00 Rock identification at the crater rim, geologist Teemu Öhman. Bring your own rock for Rock-Teemu to identify!
Rock quiz at the viewing tower—answer correctly and win a surprise prize!
Campfire coffee, juice and sausages at the lean on shelter! Remember to bring your own hiking mug—let’s protect nature.
At Lakis arena 12:00–16:00
12:00–14:00 Associations’ fair: Local associations present their activities
14:00 Lecture and Q&A The history of crater research in Lappajärvi. Geologist Teemu Öhman
15:30 Closing words for the Geopark Weeks, Executive Director Vilma Knibbs