Alanko katutähdeksi?
Alanko katutähdeksi? is a street performance competition held during the Popkatu Festival.
In honor of Popkatu’s 25th anniversary, this year’s competition will span three days, from Wednesday to Friday, July 15–17, 2026. The first two days feature the qualifying rounds, culminating in the Grand Finale on Friday, July 17th. The winner will be announced on the Joensuu Market Square stage immediately following the final.
Categories
The competition is divided into two categories, each with its own qualifying day:
- Performance Art (Street theatre, circus, dance, etc.): Qualifiers on Wednesday, July 15.
- Street Music: Qualifiers on Thursday, July 16.
How to participate
You can enter with any performance that is suitable for all ages and works effectively in a street setting.
During the qualifying rounds, the maximum length of a performance is 20 minutes. Finalists will receive specific instructions for the finale no later than the festival week.
Please bring all necessary equipment and props. We are specifically looking for performances that embrace the street environment, so be prepared to perform in an “unplugged” spirit. If your performance requires mains electricity, please let us know in advance.
Performance spots and schedule
- Qualifiers will be held on Wednesday, July 15 (performance) and Thursday, July 16 (street music) from 10:00 to 16:30. The finale is on Friday morning, July 17.
- All performance spots are near the Joensuu Market Square: behind the Market Stage, in the “Sininen virta” area, and in Vapaudenpuisto park.
- Prepare to perform in any weather! This year, the competition will not take place in tents but specifically on the street. Some performance locations have a ledge or a small overhead cover.
- The exact performance times and spots will be agreed upon with the competitors after registration in early July. You can influence where you perform.
- If you wish, you can also perform in the agreed area outside of your own performance time during the Popkatu week (July 13–19, 2026)!
Prizes
The winners of the competition will be chosen by a jury, which this year includes dance teacher Anna Kiuru, dancing golden-voice Jyrki Ikonen, mixed-media artist Susu ”Suttu” Reittu, equality expert-artist Anna Estola, and actor-songwriter Regina Launivuo. In addition, the audience will get to choose their own winner.
The prizes will be awarded on Friday after the finale on the Market Square stage. The prizes for 2026 are:
- €1,000 for the winner of each categories
- €500 for the audience favorite
- A performance opportunity at the Popkatu Club at Kerubi on Friday
- Other cash prizes decided by the jury
The competition’s cash prizes are made possible by a grant awarded to Popkatu by Joensuun Popmuusikot ry.
Register now!
Registration closes on July 1st at 8 PM, or as soon as the spots are filled.
More information
Markus Hopponen
Competition coordinator
The registration is open!
Register by sending the following information to katutahti@popkatu.fi:
- Performance name, description and art form (e.g. busking, performance art…)
- Name of contact person, address, phone number and email address
- Estimated duration of the performance (max. 20 mins) and estimated preparation time
- Do you need electricity?
We will be in touch as soon as all places have been filled. Welcome!
More information
Lauri Leppänen
Competition coordinator