The third annual, free, and open-to-all Kids’ Comics Fest will be held on Friday, September 18, 2026, at Cultural Centre Stoa in Itäkeskus! The festival theme is “Together,” and this year’s festival artist is Emilia Laatikainen. The following weekend, the Helsinki Comics Festival will be organised for an older audience, with more information available in a separate press release.
In line with the “Together” theme, the festival focuses on various forms of collaboration, which is reflected in both the programme and execution. The new location at Stoa also enables new forms of collaboration: the festival will utilise the surrounding spaces in its implementation. The nearby Itäkeskus library is among the partners.
This year, we want to involve children even more in the festival’s activities! Children will participate as interviewers and interviewees; for example, nine-year-old Leo Humina, who has created the Utelias Varvas books with his mother, will be on stage. The programme will include interviews with comics artists, panel discussions, workshops, exhibitions, and the publishers’ comic market. Visitors can choose to actively participate in the activities or simply enjoy the programme comfortably seated.
Our popular guests include Puupäähattu-award-winning creators Aino Havukainen and Sami Toivonen, known for the Tatu ja Patu books, as well as Danish creators Sabine Lemire and Rasmus Brenghøi, known for the Mira book series! One panel will feature the favourite comics of the children’s guest stars, and attendees will also have the chance to hear music performed by the band Äxyt Zeeprat. You can meet YouTuber Lavliqe, known for her animations, who will also serve as a storyteller at Stoa.
The Itäkeskus Library offers a manga corner where you can participate in manga reading groups and a manga-themed Kahoot quiz game. There will be a treasure hunt related to the Utelias Varvas books to sharpen reasoning skills. Experienced and aspiring comics creators can join a drawing contest led by Kai Vaalio, known for the Lokkimies ja Wonderpöllö books, and visitors can also make their own pins and magnets to take home. In various workshops, you can also draw your own comics.
As is tradition, Helsinki Comics Festival will also feature Zine Fest, focusing on self-publications, which will also sell zines during the children’s event.
The Kids’ Comics Fest offers a variety of activities and experiences for all tastes. Come join us to experience and create comics!
More information and interview requests
Athanasía Aarniosuo
Artistic Director
athanasia.aarniosuo@sarjakuvaseura.fi
Ella Tahkolahti
Producer
info@sarjakuvafestivaalit.fi
The festival weekend is September 18–20, 2026. Cultural Centre Stoa will be open to the public on Friday from 9:30 am to 6 pm, Saturday from 10:30 am to 7 pm, and Sunday from 10:30 am to 6 pm. The event is free and open to all. The venue is wheelchair accessible. We follow principles of safer space at the event.