MUKAMAS 2026 – International Puppet Theatre Festival kicks off today, filling Tampere with magical performances. Spanning five days, the festival features 32 events—visually striking productions created through the art of puppetry for audiences of all ages, from children to adults.
The 14 productions showcased at the festival offer a unique glimpse into contemporary puppet theatre. You can now witness internationally acclaimed, top-tier performances firsthand on stages across Tampere: at Teatteri Mukamas, Hällä Stage, Cultural Centre Laikku, and Haihara Puppet Theatre.
Teatteri Mukamas has organized this festival since 1999, driven by a desire to reveal the astonishing diversity of puppet theatre. It is a unique cultural event in the Pirkanmaa region and the largest provider of international children’s programming among events held in Tampere.
The 2026 lineup features heroes from the Arctic Circle, beloved fairy-tale characters, invisible lands, forest animals, the textiles of life, colorful blocks, and three little dots… alongside vibrant side events for all ages.
This form of theatre invites you to weave the threads of life with your own hands, walk paths across human skin, and delight in dreamlike vistas and incredible feats. Boundaries are crossed—between continents, languages and wordlessness, audience and stage, humans and animals.
When experiencing these insightful performances for children and adults, age doesn’t matter. Puppet theatre is for everyone!
A warm welcome to share in these experiences!
Photo La ruée vers l’or: Arctic Tall Tales (CAN)
Photographer: Louis-Martin LeBlanc