Turku City Theatre, Turku

The Turku City Theatre, located by the Aura River in the heart of Turku, is a cornerstone of Finnish theatre. Established in 1946 through the merger of "Turun Teatteri" and "Turun Tyovaen Teatteri," it holds the distinction of being Finland’s oldest fully municipality-owned theatre until 2014 when it became a joint-stock company owned by the City of Turku. As a repertoire theatre, it offers a diverse range of performances, including 5–10 premieres annually, and hosts around 400 performances a year, attracting approximately 140,000 visitors.

The theatre plays a significant role in promoting the arts in Turku and across Finland, with a special emphasis on local stories and Finnish premieres, particularly musicals. Most performances are in Finnish, though subtitles in English are occasionally available for musicals and guest performances. Beyond the stage, the theatre also serves as a venue for public events, with spaces available for rent.

Following a major renovation and expansion in 2017, the theatre now boasts three stages: the Main Stage, the Small Stage, and the Cranny. In the summer, it operates in Naantali’s Theatre Emma. Visitors can also enjoy the theatre’s on-site restaurant, The Fifth Stage, offering dishes made from seasonal and local ingredients.

Guided tours of the theatre are available in both Finnish and English, though advanced booking is recommended for English tours. With a dedicated team of 150–200 staff members, Turku City Theatre continues to be a cultural hub, making theatre accessible to all.