Kekri at Palander House 2026
Palander House (Linnankatu 16) celebrates Kekri this autumn. At the Kekri event, you can meet various characters from the spirit world, have your fortune told for the coming year, and enjoy live music. Explore the exhibition and the event. Welcome to see the exhibition and celebrate the harvest festival at our Kekri event!
Fri 30 Oct, 5 PM–9 PM Kekri event at Palander House
This year, Palander House once again immerses itself in the ancient Finnish harvest festival, Kekri, guided by beliefs in the deceased, shadowy creatures, darkness, and light. At the Kekri event, you may encounter beings from the shadows, tune into a chilling atmosphere in a somewhat eerie setting, and receive a prophecy for the coming year accompanied by haunting music.
During Kekri, the boundary between the spirit world and the world of the living is broken, and spirits who have met tragic fates can be seen in the museum. In the rooms and corridors of the house, you will encounter figures from both this world and the hereafter. Each has their own place in the history of the house, but not everyone’s story ended as it should have… Even Tuonetar, the Mistress of the Underworld, has come to claim new victims from those visiting this ill-fated house. The evening’s characters are portrayed by actors from Eräs Teatteri.
During the evening at 6 PM, 7 PM, and 8 PM, you can also enjoy live music as Aleksis Jauregui, Sanni Heikkilä, and Kaisa Jaanu perform in the house’s drawing room.
The event is free and open to everyone. The recommended age limit for the event is 12+ – some parts may be tense or frightening.
10 Oct–8 Nov 2026 Kekri exhibition at Palander House
The Kekri exhibition at Palander House explores the preparations for the harvest festival and the beliefs associated with Kekri. In addition to traditional customs, the exhibition highlights beliefs, practices, and objects from the museum’s collections related to light and darkness. Items on display include objects related to light and dark, such as candle snuffers, a copper flashlight from the early 20th century, and, of course, splint holders.
On display are themes of darkness before electricity, fire and light as everyday safeguards, spells and magic, as well as creatures of the dark and the invisible forces of folklore. The exhibition also explores Kekri’s beliefs regarding the deceased and the people of the grave: how were the departed entertained and why was it important to stay on good terms with them?
The exhibition is open Sat–Sun 12 PM–4 PM. Museum tickets €8/6/0; the Museum Card is also accepted.
Explore other Mystic Hämeenlinna events as well.