Kuopio Dance Festival expands to Olvi Arena

Next summer, Kuopio Dance Festival takes over Olvi Arena. The upcoming festival will also extend beyond its usual one-week format, becoming an event that spans two weekends. 

The expansion to the Arena is the result of collaboration between local organizations, hockey team KalPa, and the festival organization. By combining the resources of both sports and cultural sectors, the festival will have a completely new setting, while Olvi Arena will gain a new role during the summer season. 

KalPa’s CEO, Toni Saksman, comments on the collaboration: 

“It’s great that we can begin cooperation with the Kuopio Dance Festival organization. Olvi Arena works excellently as a platform for both sports and culture. Combining the strengths of local sectors to promote the vitality of the region is important, and we believe and hope that this collaboration will help the festival reach a new audience.” 

Olvi Arena will host, among other events, the Gala. Photo: Atte Rissanen Photography 

The Arena offers versatile facilities for dance

Olvi Arena’s facilities opens up new opportunities for the festival: the stage allows larger groups and performances to be brought to Kuopio. The Arena’s versatility provides an excellent setting not only for dance performances but also for corporate events and partner meetings. Additional services, such as restaurants, will enhance the experience for festival visitors and make Olvi Arena an excellent space for the festival’s needs. 

“The expansion to Olvi Arena is particularly significant next year, as it will celebrate Kuopio’s 250th anniversary,” says Salima Peippo, the executive director of Kuopio Dance Festival. 

The Arena will host the festival’s signature event, the Gala, which has become a classic of Kuopio Dance Festival. The Gala is an two hour event, filled with the joy of dance, featuring numerous short pieces by renowed dance stars. 

The diverse Gala program will be curated for the first time by the festival’s new artistic director, Kenneth Kvarnström. The evening’s performers will be announced in the spring of 2025. 

In addition to the Gala, several other performances will take place at the Arena, which will be announced during October.  

Festival ticket sales will open 15th November.