In 2026 we will celebrate 160-year-old Janakkala. We will mark the anniversary year with the theme Vitality through cooperation and the hashtag #Janakkala160v.

The anniversary week will be celebrated October 5-11, 2026 and the birthday especially on October 10, 2026, but the anniversary year will be visible and audible throughout the year.

Become a contributor to the anniversary year

Would you organize an action or event to celebrate the anniversary year? It could be, for example, a lecture, a community project or a concert. Anything to which you can invite other residents to join. Where possible, and taking earlier bookings into account, we offer venues free of charge for anniversary events. (Seuratalo, the main library’s lobby and classroom, the Yellow House, the municipal hall’s council hall)

You can register a planned event or submit an idea via the form (in Finnish).

Glimpses into Janakkala’s history — photo series

During the year the photo series Glimpses into Janakkala’s history will be carried out in collaboration with Janakkala Society. Once a month we will publish an old photo together with its context on the municipality’s social media channels (Facebook and Instagram).

Upcoming events for the anniversary year

October 1: Connection and Encounters: Support for Everyday Life

Starting at 5:30 PM at the school center Välkky, Koulutie 2, 14200 Turenki.

Could your everyday life use more connection and meaningful encounters? Welcome to a warm and welcoming evening where we will reflect together on well-being, loneliness, and how we can strengthen connection and a sense of community in our daily lives.

Loneliness touches all of us at some point in life, but even small encounters can bring a great deal of light. The evening’s speaker is Maria Lähteenmäki, Head of Loneliness Work at HelsinkiMissio. She will bring hope, understanding, and practical perspectives to the topic.

The event will be relaxed and open to everyone. You are welcome to come and listen, join the discussion, or simply be there.

Coffee and refreshments will be served at the beginning of the event by Harvialan Martat. You can also learn more about the activities of the participating associations.

The main program begins at 6:00 PM.

The event has received support from OP Janakkala through its Etua elämää grant. Organized by Harvialan Martat.

October 2-4: Anniversary Exhibition

Janakkala Society organizes an anniversary exhibition as a birthday week kick-off at Vapari (Pyhämäentie 27 C, 14200 Turenki). There are photographs never seen before on display for three days, from Friday to Sunday, October 2-4. The exhibition includes Hevonoja’s photographs, magazine covers from Kotiliesi, school posters, post cards, and Kalevala jewelry.
Opening hours:

• Friday, Oct 2, from 12 to 6 PM
• Saturday and Sunday, Oct 3-4, from 12 to 4 PM

October 4: Celebratory Mass for the Week of the Elderly and for informal caregivers

October 5-11: Birthday week

Janakkala’s 160th anniversary will be celebrated especially during the birthday week, which culminates in birthday festivities on Saturday, October 10 at Seuratalo in Tervakoski (Seuranaukio 3). During the week a varied program will be arranged for Janakkala residents of all ages, from babies to grandparents! The program in full can be found here.

October 11: Celebration mass

Janakkala municipality’s 160th anniversary celebration mass. After the service there will be church coffee at Tarinmaa parish hall. The service will be held at the Church of St. Lawrence at 10 AM.

October 25: Vintage fashion show

Lions Club Janakkala/Idat organizes a vintage fashion show at the Janakkala main library, in which fashion from the last 100 years is on stage. The proceeds from the ticket sales and raffle goes directly to charity in Janakkala. There’s also a cafe during the event.

November: an art exhibition by the Janakkala Age Art Association

Janakkala Age Art Association (Janakkalan Ikätaideyhdistys ry) organizes an art exhibition in the main lobby of Janakkala’s main library starting Nov 2. The exhibition features paintings, photographs and handicrafts whose themes come from the local municipality.

Past events

September 19: I’m Not Celebrating, The Grump – puppet theater

I certainly took offense when they decided to throw a party.

Puppet Theater Marjuttu presents: I’m Not Celebrating, The Grump. Recommended for ages 60+ (younger audiences are welcome too). Performances on Saturday, September 19 at 10:00 AM and 11:00 AM at Tervakoski Library. Based on Tuomas Kyrö’s bestseller novel. Performance rights: Nordic Drama Corner. Directed by Marjukka Toivola.

For children, Puppet Theater Marjuttu presents the paper theater performance Our Family Isn’t Your Family, for ages 4 and up. Duration approximately 20 minutes. Performances at 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM.

Coffee and sweet buns for the first 200 visitors! The library will be open from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM on the event day. Free admission.

Well then, I suppose we’ll celebrate.

September 5: A delicious journey into Janakkala’s history

Hop on board and enjoy a delicious day in autumnal Janakkala guided by Jarmo Tuominen. Read more and join!

The day begins with a leisurely country breakfast at Hakolan Marjatila, where we will also get to visit the farm. From there we head to Someronlähde, whose secrets will be revealed by singing nature guide Kaisa Jetsu. In the peace of the forest you can recharge as you wish – by walking the nature trail or pausing at the spring. A tasty lunch will be enjoyed at the historic Turenki Station, where we will hear a fascinating overview of Finland’s railway history. The trip culminates at Harviala Manor, where we will explore the manor milieu and its past. At the end of the day we will enjoy afternoon coffee at Harviala Manor’s atmospheric Cafe Konttori.

July 25-26 at 10:00–15:00: Tanttala and Tarinmaa village flea market event

Tarinmaa and Tanttala villages will organize a flea market event on July 25–26, both days 10:00–15:00.
Sellers can participate by coming to the shared sales point at Tanttala School or the Yellow House. Both sales locations will operate a café for the entire event.

July 19 at 13:00–15:00: Writer’s Café at the Yellow House

The Writer’s Café is an open, free event organized by Kirjoittajayhdistys Janaki ry, a writers’ association founded in Janakkala. Kirjoittajayhdistys Janaki ry. Welcome to everyone interested in writing!

June 6 at 15:00–17:00: Heart safety event

SFC Hämeenhelmi organizes an open and free heart safety event for all on Saturday June 6 at 3–5 PM at SFC Hämeenhelmi, Leppäkoskentie 788, Leppäkoski (Janakkala). An open heart safety event where laypersons are instructed in practical CPR and the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED). The event is linked to the AED recently acquired by SFC Hämeenhelmi, which is available for everyone’s use around the clock. The event is part of broader efforts to develop heart safety in the area.

At our event participants will get to locate and practise using the AED and practice resuscitation in a safe and guided environment. The instruction will be provided by sector experts and trained lay instructors. The event is free and aimed at everyone interested, and its goal is to increase local safety and encourage people to act in an emergency. At the same time we strengthen community spirit and readiness to help others.

April 20 at 7 PM: Edith Piaf concert

Theatre Club Tribuna organizes an open and free concert for all on Monday April 20 at 7:00 PM at Janakkala’s main library in Turenki, Ida lobby. In the concert the wonderful-voiced Anniina Polakovski (formerly Tapioharju) interprets the Parisian chanteuse Edith Piaf’s most beloved songs.

The concert lasts approx. 2 hours and includes an intermission. Café Kirjaston kulma will be open during the intermission. Welcome!

Coffee service begins at 14:00. The heart safety event runs from 15:00–17:00.

April 19 at 1 PM: Stories from Tarinmaa

The Tarinmaa District Village Association (Tarinmaan seudun kyläyhdistys ry) organizes the discussion ‘Stories from Tarinmaa’ at Tarinmaa VPK hall (Hakoistentie 279) on Sunday April 19, 2026 from 1–4 PM.

Guests will include people who lived in the villages in the 1950s–70s but have since moved away. Also present will be people who have lived their whole lives in Tarinmaa to tell stories and experiences. During the afternoon the stories about the houses and life in the village will come alive. Everyone who has ever lived in the villages, who currently lives there, or who is interested in the village’s stories is welcome!

The village association will arrange coffee and pastries for a small fee. The stories are completely free. Welcome!