Turku International Puppetry Festival (TIP-Fest) – Turku, Finland 2026

Background & History

The Turku International Puppetry Festival (TIP-Fest), organized by Aura of Puppets, is Finland’s largest contemporary puppetry event. Launched in 2010 as part of the Turku European Capital of Culture 2011, it showcases innovative puppet theatre through multidisciplinary performances, including paper theatre, shadow theatre, hand puppets, and object manipulation. Since becoming a biennial event in Autumn 2024, TIP-Fest occurs every two years, with the next edition set for 12–15 November 2026.

Historically, it has drawn ~1,500–2,000 attendees, featuring premieres, workshops, and discussions at venues like Manila and Tehdas Teatteri. The festival promotes Finnish puppetry globally, supported by the 80-member Aura of Puppets network, and has earned recognition for its artistic ambition and community engagement.

Event Highlights (2026 Expectations, No 2025 Festival)

• Performances: Premieres and international guest shows (e.g., Pandora – Opening, Satan’s Callback in 2024) at venues like Manila, Tehdas Teatteri, and Turku City Theatre, featuring non-verbal or English shows for adults and children (ticketed, ~$11–$33 USD).
• Workshops & Discussions: Artist talks (e.g., “Drinks with Elina”), seminars on puppetry techniques, and networking events (free/ticketed).
• Clubs: Festival clubs with live music and performances (e.g., Cleaning Women in 2024, free/ticketed).
• Accessibility: Wheelchair-accessible venues (Manila, Tehdas Teatteri); guide dogs welcome. Free assistant tickets with advance notice.
• 2024 Examples (for 2026 context): Babygonia (children, non-verbal), Simple Machines (adult), Sursum Corda (Fernando Mota), VR puppetry exhibit.

Date & Duration

• 2025 Status: No TIP-Fest in 2025 due to biennial schedule.
• Next Edition: 12–15 November 2026 (Thursday–Sunday, 4 days).
• Expected Duration (2026): Daily events, ~10:00–22:00.
  • Performances: ~15:00–21:00 (Manilla, Tehdas Teatteri).
  • Workshops/Seminars: ~10:00–14:00 (Jokistudio, Manila).
  • Clubs: ~20:00–late (Manila).
• Note: All-ages events; some performances N15+. November weather (30–40°F, possible snow); dress warmly. The full 2026 schedule is expected in September 2026.

Main Event Address

• Venues (2026 Expectations):
  • Manilla: Itäinen Rantakatu 64, 20810 Turku (main hub, performances, clubs, accessible).
  • Tehdas Teatteri: Itäinen Rantakatu 64, 20810 Turku (performances, accessible).
  • Turku City Theatre: Itäinen Rantakatu 14, 20800 Turku (select shows, accessible).
  • Seikkailupuisto: Kuralankatu 2, 20540 Turku (children’s shows, e.g., Babygonia, accessible).
  • Jokistudio: Itäinen Rantakatu 64, 20810 Turku (workshops, seminars, accessible).
• Administrative Contact: Aura of Puppets, Manilla, Itäinen Rantakatu 64, 20810 Turku; info@auraofpuppets.com; +358 44 734 0225 (Mon–Fri, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM).
• Note: Venues are wheelchair-accessible (ramps, induction loops at Turku City Theatre). Bicycle racks (~10–20 spaces, free) at Manilla, Tehdas.

Contact Information

• Email: info@auraofpuppets.com (general inquiries); taru@auraofpuppets.com (international/TIP-Fest, Taru Tuomisto); outi@auraofpuppets.com (artistic, Outi Sippola); tuotanto@auraofpuppets.com (production).
• Phone: +358 44 734 0225 (Taru Tuomisto, TIP-Fest Director); +358 44 734 0247 (Tanja Eloranta, Executive Director, Mon–Fri, 9:00 AM–5:00 PM).
• Social Media: @AuraOfPuppets (Facebook, Instagram, Flickr, Vimeo).
• Note: Contact for accessibility, group inquiries, or international collaborations. Response time ~24–48 hours.

Ticket Information (2026 Expectations, No 2025 Festival)

• How to Book: Online or on-site (card only, 30 minutes before performances); R-kioski outlets. Check venue doors for no-show tickets.
• Estimated Pricing (based on 2023/2024):
  • Basic Ticket: €15–€30 ≈ $16.50–$33 USD.
  • Discounted Ticket (students, seniors, unemployed, theatre professionals): €10–€20 ≈ $11–$22 USD.
  • Children’s Shows: ~€10–€15 ≈ $11–$16.50 USD.
  • Programme: ~€3–€5 ≈ $3.30–$5.50 USD (on-site).
  • Personal Assistant Ticket: Free (with advance notice, email info@auraofpuppets.com).
• Ticket Range:
  • EUR: €0–€30.
  • USD: ~$0–$33 USD.
• Note: Prices based on historical data. Culture benefits (Smartum, Virike) accepted at R-kioski, not on-site. Limited discounted tickets; book early.

Cultural Experience

TIP-Fest transforms Turku into a vibrant hub for contemporary puppetry, showcasing innovative techniques like shadow theatre, object manipulation, and VR puppetry. Organized by Aura of Puppets, Finland’s largest puppetry network, it blends Finnish and international performances, fostering artistic exchange. The 2026 theme is unannounced but will likely explore bold concepts (e.g., 2024’s “Tomorrow” with sci-fi and dystopian shows). Expect immersive shows, family-friendly events, and a warm festival atmosphere at Manila’s historic factory setting.

Food & Drinks

• Event Venues: Limited food at Manila, Tehdas Teatteri; coffee, snacks (~$2–$6 USD, card only). Alcohol at festival club (beer, wine, ~$4–$7 USD, age 19+).
• Nearby Dining (Turku):
  • Ravintola Kaskis (Kaskenkatu 6, Finnish fine dining, $20–$40 USD, 10-minute walk from Manilla).
  • Hügge (Linnankatu 3, café, pastries, $3–$10 USD, 5-minute walk).
  • Ravintola Sergio’s (Läntinen Rantakatu 27, Italian, $10–$25 USD, 5-minute walk).
  • Bar Ö (Linnankatu 7, pub, $8–$18 USD, age 19+, 5-minute walk).
• Note: Bring reusable water bottles; no glass containers. Venues card-only.

Family & Accessibility

• Family-Friendly: All-ages events; children’s shows (e.g., Babygonia, 8 months–2.5 years) and family performances (e.g., A Ball of String). Under-12s need supervision. Guide dogs welcome; no other pets.
• Accessibility: Manilla, Tehdas Teatteri, Turku City Theatre, wheelchair-accessible (ramps, induction loops). Seikkailupuisto is accessible for children’s shows. Free assistant tickets with advance notice (info@auraofpuppets.com). Limited accessibility at Jokistudio (steps).

Getting There

• By Air: Turku Airport (TKU, 5 miles, 15-minute drive, $10–$20 USD taxi). Helsinki-Vantaa (HEL, 100 miles, 2-hour drive, $20–$30 USD taxi or train).
• Public Transport (Turku):
  • Train: Helsinki to Turku (2 hours, $15–$30 USD, Turku Station, 10-minute walk to Manilla).
  • Bus: Lines 1, 7 to Manilla (Itäinen Rantakatu, ~$2 USD, 2-minute walk).
• By Car: Limited parking; public lots (~$2–$5 USD/day, 5–10-minute walk from Manila). Disability parking at Manila, Tehdas (free with permit).
• By Bike/Foot: Bike racks at Manilla (~10 spaces, free). City bikes (~$5/day) near Turku Station. A 10-minute walk from the station to Manila.
• By Taxi/Rideshare: Bolt/Uber ($5–$15 USD in Turku). Local taxis (+358 2 10041, $6–$15 USD).

Program Details (2026 Expectations, No 2025 Festival)

• Sep 2026: Full schedule, venue details available.
• 12 Nov 2026:
  • 10:00–14:00: Workshops (Jokistudio, free/ticketed).
  • 15:00–21:00: Opening performances (Manila, Tehdas, ticketed).
  • 20:00–late: Festival club (Manila, free/ticketed).
• 13–14 Nov 2026:
  • 10:00–14:00: Seminars, artist talks (Jokistudio, Manila, free/ticketed).
  • 15:00–21:00: Premieres, guest performances (Tehdas, Turku City Theatre, ticketed).
• 15 Nov 2026:
  • 10:00–14:00: Closing workshops (Jokistudio, free/ticketed).
  • 15:00–21:00: Final performances (Manila, Seikkailupuisto, ticketed).
• Note: Schedule speculative based on historical data. Some performances N15+. Full details September 2026.

Alternative 2025 Puppetry Events

Since TIP-Fest will not occur in 2025, consider these puppetry events in Finland:

• SAMPO Festival 2025 (Helsinki, 27–31 August):
  • Venues: Sampo Puppet Theatre, Annantalo, Sellosali (Espoo), Maunulatalo, Malmitalo, Pikku Sampo (Iso Roobertinkatu).
  • Highlights: Performances for children/adults, workshops, film screenings, and festival club. Features non-verbal shows like A Ball of String.
  • Tickets: ~€8–€15 ≈ $8.80–$16.50 USD. Free outdoor events.
  • Contact: info@sampofestival.fi.
  • Accessibility: Annantalo, Sellosali accessible; Pikku Sampo limited (steps).
• Other Performances: Aura of Puppets’ touring shows (e.g., Pohjatar, Invisible Lands, Nano Steps) in Helsinki, Jyväskylä, or Turku. Check for the 2025 schedule.

Past Notable Features

• 2024 (6–10 Nov): Theme “Tomorrow”; shows like Pandora – Opening, Simple Machines, Satan’s Callback; VR exhibit; ~1,500 attendees.
• 2023 (8–12 Nov): Theme “This Moment”; 10 shows, 3 premieres (Gilgamesh – Mortal, Block Theatre, Peephole); ~1,500 attendees.
• 2022 (2–6 Nov): Theme “New Beginnings”; 6 premieres (Invisible, Ridiculousness); ~1,200 attendees.

Educational Impact

• Workshops: Hands-on sessions on puppetry techniques (e.g., object manipulation, shadow theatre).
• Seminars: Discussions on contemporary puppetry (e.g., baby-theatre lecture, 2024).
• Programme: ~€3–€5 ≈ $3.30–$5.50 USD (on-site, includes schedule).

Cultural Activities

• Performances: Non-verbal or English shows for adults (Pohjatar, Kindred Machines) and children (Babygonia, Peephole).
• Workshops: Puppetry technique sessions (free/ticketed).
• Clubs: Music, networking in Manila (free/ticketed).
• Exhibits: VR or installation displays (e.g., Puppets 4.0-VR-Museo, 2024).

Travel Tips

• Book Early: 2026 tickets sell out; book September 2026. Hotels fill in November; book 6–12 months.
• Weather Prep: November (30–40°F, possible snow); wear insulated layers, waterproof boots.
• Explore Locally: Turku Cathedral (free, 10-minute walk from Manilla), Turku Castle ($12 USD, 10-minute walk), Aboa Vetus Museum ($10 USD, 5-minute walk).
• Public Transport: Turku Card (~$20 USD) for transport discounts.
• Festival Info: Follow @AuraOfPuppets for real-time info.

Local Attractions

• Turku Cathedral: Free (Tuomiokirkonkatu 1, 10-minute walk from Manilla).
• Turku Castle: $12 USD (Linnankatu 80, 10-minute walk).
• Aboa Vetus Museum: $10 USD (Itäinen Rantakatu 4, 5-minute walk).
• Forum Marinum: $10 USD (Linnankatu 72, 5-minute walk).

Accommodation Options

• Hotels:
  • Original Sokos Hotel Kupittaa ($80–$150 USD/night, Lemminkäisenkatu 15, 10-minute walk from Manilla).
  • Scandic Plaza Turku ($70–$140 USD/night, Yliopistonkatu 29, 15-minute walk).
• B&Bs: Solo Sokos Hotel Seurahuone ($60–$120 USD/night, Eerikinkatu 23, 10-minute walk).
• Hostels: Hostel Linnasmäki ($20–$50 USD/night, Lustokatu 7, 15-minute bus).
• Airbnb: Apartments ($40–$100 USD/night, near Manila).

Safety & Health Measures

• Medical Support: First aid at Manila, Tehdas; nearest hospital is Turku University Hospital (Kinakoskentori 4, 10-minute drive).
• Security: Bag checks at venues; no glass bottles. Contact info@auraofpuppets.com for concerns.
• Health Protocols: Sanitizer stations; masks optional. COVID-19 policies TBD (Sep 2026).
• Safety Tips: Secure valuables; follow venue signage; stay warm.