Kuopio's kauppatori (market square) is one of the liveliest in Finland outside Helsinki, filled with vendors selling local produce, berries, fish, and flowers from early morning throughout the summer months. The square is flanked by the Art Nouveau market hall on one side and the City Hall on another. In summer the terraces of nearby cafes spill out around its edges.
The square hosts outdoor events through the summer, including the markets that accompany the Kuopio Dance Festival in June. In winter it is quieter but the nearby streets still have life. The Market Square is the natural orientation point for the city centre — most things worth seeing are within easy walking distance.