In addition to the scientific program, the conference offers a variety of social activities designed to encourage networking, informal discussions, and cultural experiences.
Participants are warmly invited to join the social program, which provides an excellent opportunity to connect with colleagues and speakers in a relaxed atmosphere.
The social program at NordiCHI 2026 will include two main events:
- Welcome reception on Monday Oct 5
- Conference dinner on Tuesday Oct 6
And in addition the following events:
- Neural Sync – Human Club Interaction on Saturday Oct 3
- Ghost Walk on Sunday Oct 4
- Industry visit to Sustainable Technology Hub, Wärtsilä, on Wednesday Oct 7
- Tour to the Kvarken Archipelago on Thursday Oct 8
Also, we have two dedicated conference pubs, O´Malleys Irish Pub and Zinc, which will serve as your living rooms during the conference.
For more information, please see below!
Welcome Reception
Join us for the Welcome Reception on the first evening of the main conference, following the scientific programme.
Take the opportunity to meet colleagues from across the Nordic region and beyond and build new connections!
A light savoury meal and refreshments will be served during the evening. As a courtesy of the City of Vaasa, all participants will be welcomed with a glass of bubbly.
The reception will take place at Fontana, Vaasa’s largest nightclub, conveniently located in the heart of the city centre. We look forward to welcoming you for an enjoyable evening of networking and socialising. While the official program will end around 22:00, you are welcome to continue the evening at Fontana Club for the rest of the night.
Date: Monday, Oct 5, 2026
Time: 18:30-
Venue: Fontana Club, Hovioikeudenpuistikko 15, Vaasa
Dress code: Casual
Included in the registration fee, pre-registration required.
Conference Dinner
Join us for an enjoyable evening of excellent food, great company, and entertainment at the Conference Dinner. This social highlight of the conference offers the perfect opportunity to continue discussions, strengthen professional networks, and enjoy the company of colleagues in a unique setting.
The dinner will be held at Bock’s Corner Village Catacombs, a beautifully renovated 150-year-old brewery cellar that combines historic charm with modern elegance. The venue is located just 2,5 km from the Vaasa city centre. We look forward to welcoming you for a night of fine dining, entertainment, and local hospitality.
During the welcome drinks and first course you will be able to view the Arts-Based Approaches exhibition, which is held 18:30-19:30. The exhibition showcases the scientific contributions that are presented in the Arts-Based Approaches session on Monday.
During the welcome drinks and cocktail bites, you will have the opportunity to explore the Arts-Based Approaches Exhibition, which will be held from 18:30 to 19:30. The exhibition showcases the scientific contributions presented in the Arts-Based Approaches session on Monday. The exhibition includes the following works:
- Steve Gibson (CA/UK) – VRitual AV (Note! Performance takes place at 18:30 to 19:00)
- Kathryn Blair (CA) – The Neural Network
- Eugénie Desmedt, Paul Kloker, Márton Zalka, Christine Haupt (AT) – Synthetic Synthesizer
- Eleni-Ira Panourgia & Martin Parker (SE/UK) – Schima – Morphe – Ichos: Performing across Sound, Sculpture and Movement
- Puneet Jain (IN/CH) – Have You Ever Been in a Close Encounter with a Disabled Body?
- Nadine Jachmann (DE) – Stress as Input: A Lecture Performance with Context-Adaptive Slides
After the exhibition, the evening will continue with dinner and musical performances.
While the official program will end around 22:30-23:00, you are welcome to continue the evening at the Catacombs and, after that, at Bock’s Corner Brewery, located just next door, until 01:30.
Date: Tuesday, Oct 6, 2026
Time: 18:30-
Bus transportation:
To the dinner venue at 18:10 from the Original Sokos Hotel Royal Vaasa (Hovioikeudenpuistikko 18, Vaasa)
Back to city center every 20-30 minutes from 22:30 forward until midnight
Venue: Bock’s Corner Village Catacombs, Gerbyntie 16, Vaasa
Dress code: Smart casual
Included in the registration fee, pre-registration required.
Neural Sync – Human Club Interaction
The local electronic music association 65Hz is organizing the ‘Neural Sync – Human Club Interaction‘ event in the center of Vaasa, headlining DJ Marc Hassenzahl with support from local DJs. Conference visitors are warmly welcome to the party! More info: 65hz.fi
Date: Saturday Oct 3, 2026
Time: 21:00-04:00
Venue: Tørst Company, Hovioikeudenpuistikko 15, 65100 Vaasa
Tickets: 8€ sold at the door and in advance through kide.app
No pre-registration needed.
Ghost Walk
Welcome to Vaasa, a city of ghosts! Where is the ghost route of Vaasa?
What were Madame Moe’s dinner parties like during the prohibition and do the celebrations still go on? Why does nobody want to stay at the government house after office hours? Vaasa Ghost Walk will guide you through these and other mysteries of Vaasa’s history and present.
The walk requires a moderate level of basic fitness and lasts approximately one hour, covering a distance of approximately 1,6 km. The route is also accessible with a wheelchair. As the walk takes place outdoors, please wear warm, weather-appropriate clothing and bring an umbrella or rain jacket if necessary. There are 40 spots available on a first-come, first-served basis. You sign up and pay for the walk as part of the conference registration process. If the walk is fully booked, you can join the waiting list by emailing events@certia.fi. You can also modify your registration later to add the walk if spots become available.
Date: Sunday Oct 4, 2026
Time: 19:00-20:00, arrive to the meeting point at the latest 5 minutes before the walk begins
Meeting point: Hovioikeudenpuistikko 18, Vaasa, in front of Original Sokos Hotel Royal Vaasa.
Dress code: according to the weather, outdoor event
Tickets: 20€, pre-registration required.
Industry visit to Sustainable Technology Hub, Wärtsilä
Did you know that EnergyVaasa is the largest energy technology hub in the Nordic countries and a world leader within different technologies, such as smart electrical solutions, sustainable energy, flexible power generation and digitalisation – to name a few? On Wednesday straight after the conference you have the opportunity to visit one of the EnergyVaasa companies, Wärtsilä, and its Sustainable Technology Hub.
Date: Wednesday Oct 7, 2026
Time: 17:30-19:30
Bus transportation:
17:15 from the University of Vaasa, Tervahovi main entrance
After the visit the bus returns to city center.
Please note! All participants must bring a valid ID.
Included in the registration fee, pre-registration required. If you are not able to attend, please cancel your registration by informing events@certia.fi so that we can offer your place to another participant from the waiting list.
Tour to the Kvarken Archipelago – UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site
Experience the unique beauty of the Kvarken Archipelago, a Natural World Heritage Site. This guided excursion takes you through the remarkable landscape shaped by the Ice Age, including a visit to the iconic Saltkaret observation tower with its stunning views of the archipelago. The tour includes bus transportation and a delicious lunch. There are 50 spots available on a first-come, first-served basis. You sign up and pay for the tour as part of the conference registration process. If the tour is fully booked, you can join the waiting list by emailing events@certia.fi. You can also modify your registration later to add the tour if spots become available.
Date: Thursday Oct 8, 2026
Time: 9.00–13.30
Departure point: Hovioikeudenpuistikko 18, Vaasa, in front of Original Sokos Hotel Royal Vaasa.
Dress code: Comfortable and warm clothing
Tickets: 45 euros, pre-registration required.
Outside the official social programme, we invite you to meet other conference participants at popular local pubs O’Malley’s Irish Pub and Zinc Craftbar.
O’Malley’s Irish Pub
Hovioikeudenpuistikko 21, 65100 Vaasa
O’Malley’s, serving in the heart of the city since 1994, invites you to relax and enjoy yourself – whether you’re stopping by for an afterwork, celebrating with friends, or enjoying our weekly live gigs. Our familiar staff serve you in a cheerful and friendly spirit in our beautifully renovated pub. You’ll find a wide selection of beers, a diverse range of whiskies, and interesting draught options. When hunger strikes, we offer tasty small bites – always with flavor first. Step inside and make yourself at home – you are always warmly welcome here!
O’Malley’s offers special prices for conference participants. By showing your conference pass, you can enjoy Happy Hour prices throughout the entire conference period.
Zinc
Hovioikeudenpuistikko 15, 65100 Vaasa
Zinc will be joining NordiCHI 2026 as a partner bar — a great spot right by the market square for those looking for a cosy atmosphere and a carefully curated selection of craft beers. It’s the perfect place to unwind after a day of conference activities.
Open daily from mid-afternoon until late, Zinc makes it easy to drop by whenever the conference day winds down.
And for those who prefer cocktails, keep an eye out — there just might be a conference-inspired signature drink on the menu: Pulse.
NordiCHI participants may also discover that showing their conference pass comes with a small added perk.
