Oulu is a city and municipality of about 130,000 inhabitants in the province of Oulu and the region of Northern Ostrobothnia, in Finland. It is the largest and most important city in Northern Finland and the sixth largest city in the country. Its population growth rate is almost comparable with that of the Helsinki Metropolitan Area.
The best known cultural exports of the city of Oulu are Air Guitar World Championships, Mieskuoro Huutajat (also known as Screaming Men), and the now defunct metal band Sentenced. The Oulu Music Video Festival (originally the host of the Air Guitar Championships) is also a significant event. The annual music festival Qstock has risen to acclaim in the past few years; headlining the 2006 festival were UK's Motörhead.

Tietomaa
Ainola Park, a former University botanical garden prior to being moved to Linnanmaa
The Rapids Center, the area in the estuary of the Oulu river consisting of small islands connected with bridges, fountains in the middle of the river, and including a housing area of building blocks planned by Alvar Aalto Rotuaari pedestrian street The Market Square with the City Library, the City Theatre and old salt and tar storehouses

• Mannerheim Park
• The Oulu Cathedral
• Hupisaaret, a large park area located in the estuary of the Oulu river
• The F. M. Franzen memorial
• The North-Ostrobothnia Museum
• The Pateniemi Sawmill Museum
• The Vehicle Museum
• The University of Oulu Botanical Garden (situated in Linnanmaa)
• The Oulu Art Museum
• The Arctic Gallery
• Technopolis, the technology village
• Turkansaari (historical outdoor museum)
• Oulu Music Video Festival
• Air Guitar World Championships
• Qstock Rock Festival
• Jalometalli Metal Music Festival
• Jalometalli Winterfest
• Oulu City Theatre 
• Madetoja Hall, housing the Oulu Music Centre the residence of the Oulu Symphony Orchestra
• Oulu Children's Theatre Festival
• The University of Oulu
• Oulu Hall (a large indoor sports facility consisting of a low dome, which looks somewhat like a landed flying saucer)
• Nallikari Recreational Centre (with sandy beach and camping grounds)
• Eden Hotel & Spa (in Nallikari)
• The Terva-skiing event
• The Oulu Horse Show
• The American Car Show
• The Winter Swimming World Championship
• Oulu University of Applied Sciences (formerly Oulu Polytechnic)