The festival season is upon us again! With its lengthy, but not too hot summer days and the gentle midnight sun, Finland is an ideal holiday spot with hundreds of music festivals to offer. Keep reading this listing to find over 50 great Finnish summer festivals from classical to pop, folk to heavy metal, edm to indie and beyond!

Featured photo by Riikka Vaahtera / Visit Finland at Ruisrock 2023.

May

World Village Festival 25–26 May

Since 1995 World Village Festival (Maailma Kylässä) has established itself as one of the largest free festivals for the whole family. World Village’s programme offers a wide variety of music, dance, street art, panel discussions and other activities. This year's programme includes international acts like Puerto Candelaria (CO), Dub FX feat. Mr. Woodnote, Emel (TN) and Las Karamba (ES/VE/CU/AR) with Finnish artists like Hassan Maikal, Maija Kauhanen, Don Johnson Big Band and Antti Autio.

June

Naantali Music Festival 4–15 June

Held in concert venues in Naantali, Rymättylä, Raisio and Seili Island, Naantali Music Festival's programme highlights this year include Conductor Dalia Stasevska’s performance of Kaija Saariaho’s Ciel d’Hiver and Sibelius’ Lemminkäinen suite with the Lahti Symphony Orchestra. Also on the schedule are dutch bassoonist Bram Van Sambeek and Finnish Pekka Kuusisto , along with countless others.

Kesärauha 7–9 June

Turku’s indie and alternative event, Kesärauha (“summer peace”) debuted in 2021. For their fourth year, the lineup at the three-day festival features a total of over 50 acts, from local ones like Alma, Tinyhawk & Bizzarro, Virta, Windows95Man, Darude, Jesse Markin and Mikko Joensuu to international acts like Slowdive (UK), The Libertines (UK), 070 Shake (US), Balming Tiger (ROK), Sofia Kourtesis (PE), Acid Arab (FRA) and countless more!

Organ Night & Aria Festival June 6–August 31

One of the oldest classical music festivals in Finland, Organ Night & Aria Festival (Urkuyö) is a series of weekly concerts spread throughout the summer, offering a variety of classical music on Thursday evenings in the medieval stone church in Espoo, just outside of Helsinki. This year's highlights include Handel’s oratorio Messiah with Tapiola Sinfonietta and EMO Ensemble, directed and dramatized by Aleksi Barrière, Vox Calamantis, a Grammy-winning Estonian vocal ensemble performing works by Estonian composers, as well as Total Cello Ensemble, a group consisting of six Finnish top cellists. The opera singer Tuomas Katajala is serving as Artistic Director of the festival.

Watch a video about Naantali Music Festival 2023.

Silence festival 6–9 June

Silence festival gathers the most interesting performances and artists from Finland and abroad to Lapland. The multidisciplinary program of art and culture is spread in and around the small village of Kaukonen in the Kittilä municipality. This year's festival will feature four premieres of circus performances and five new compositions. Additionally, there will separate performances by Jaakko Eino Kalevi, Talonpoika Lalli, Lapland Chamber Orchestra, and many others.

Watch a video about Silence Festival's 2023 edition.

Sideways 13–15 June

Sideways is a mid-size indie festival held in June in the heart of capital Helsinki – a bit like the smaller sibling of the better-known Flow Festival. Sideways' line-up is packed with top-class acts playing in Helsinki's old ice hall and its surroundings. Showcasing the most interesting Finnish and international indie, this year’s Sideways line-up includes Peggy Gou (KR), Jungle (UK), Bat for Lashes (UK), Frank Carter & The Rattlenakes (UK), Fontaines D.C. (IE), L7 (US), Ladytron (UK), Ane Brun (NO), Alessandro Cortini (IT), Armand Hammer (US) and Chelsea Wolfe (US). Finnish highlights include Joalin, Tinyhawk & Bizzarro, Oranssi Pazuzu, Knife Girl, Virta and Mikko Joensuu.

Watch the aftermovie for Sideways 2023.

Nummirock 19–22 June

For fans of heavier music spending the weekend of midsummer festivities at Nummirock has become a decades-long tradition. In 2024 the lineup features acts such as Kerry King (US), Body Count (US), Thy Art Is Murder (AU) and The Halo Effect (SE) as well as local heroes Tarot, Insomnium, Ensiferum and Warmen, to name a few.

Watch the aftermovie for Nummirock 2023.

Sommelo 26–29 June

Even in the global landscape of festivals, folk music festival Sommelo, held on both sides of the Finnish-Russian border, in the historical landscape of Kainuu and Viena Karelia, is truly a unique one. This year, Sommelo's program includes performances ranging from Cheick Cissokho’s (FI/SN) and Dembo Jobarteh’s (GM) kora concert to Duo Ruut (EE), who combine Estonian kantele music and singing, delivering it with a minimalistic sound. Finnish folk musicians and bands such as Lassi Logrén, Kymmenkieli and Oskari Lehtonen are also on the Sommelo bill this year.

XXXVIII Summer Sounds 27–30 June

The 38th Avanti! Summer Sounds festival will again take over Porvoo as it runs at the city's Art Factory venue and its surroundings from June 27 to 30. The 2024 edition is titled Dreamlands and Dystopias. The programme, curated by composer and conductor Ondrej Adámek, includes concerts by the Avanti! Quartet, Petri Kumela, Maria Ylipää & Friends as well as the Adele Sauros Quartet.

Provinssi 27–29 June

Held in Seinäjoki, South Ostrobothnia, Provinssi is one of Finland’s largest and oldest rock festivals. This year the international artists include acts like Måneskin (IT), Turnstile (US), Bring Me the Horizon (UK), Kvelertak (NO), Yungblud UK) and Hanabie (JP). There’s also a wide range of Finland’s biggest artists performing, such as Blind Channel, Stam1na, Käärijä and Mokoma, as well as some of the most interesting underground acts and new artists – like Maustetytöt, Grande Mahogany, Tinyhawk & Bizzarro, Goldielocks, The Holy, Stoned Statues and Oranssi Pazuzu.

Watch the aftermovie for Provinssi 2023.

Haapavesi Folk Music Festival 27–29 June

Haapavesi Folk Music Festival’s (founded in 1989) programme consists of Finnish and international folk music and world music, alongside with some classical, jazz, pop and cross-genre acts. This year’s line-up includes international names like Joseph Decosimo (US) and Góbé (HU), as well as local stars such as Ensemble Gamut!, Juurakko, Frigg and Maija Kauhanen with Swedish hurdy-gurdy master Johannes Geworkian Hellman. Artistic director for the event is Teija Niku. The Folk course organized before the festival is the at the heart of the international event.

Tuska 28–30 June

Over the decades Helsinki's Tuska – established in 1998 – has become one of the largest metal and most well-known festivals in the Nordic countries. This year will see international bands like Pendulum (AU), Parkway Drive (AU), Dimmu Borgir (NO), Kerry King (US), Alestorm (UK), Opeth (SE), Bring Me the Horizon (UK) and Health (US) fill up the Tuska stages, along with Finnish metal greats such as Suburban Tribe, Amorphis, Stam1na, Sonata Arctica, Tarot, Bloodred Hourglass and I Am the Night.

Watch the aftermovie for Tuska 2023.

Sysmän Suvisoitto 29 June–6 July

Sysmän Suvisoitto is a diverse festival that takes place in the beautiful summer Sysmä at the beginning of July. The program, carefully curated by artistic director Laura Hynninen, consists of children's concerts as well as jazz and contemporary music. This year's performers include Ilmiliekki Quartet, Petri Kumela and Ensemble Gamut, among others.

July

Time of Music 2–7 July

Time of Music (Musiikin aika) in Viitasaari, Central Finland, focuses on cutting-edge contemporary music, and hosts the most important composers and artists of the field yearly, gaining an international reputation as a courageous, border-breaking and innovative event. This year’s theme at Time of Music is Games of participation. Conceived again by Artistic Director Johan Tallgren, the program includes e.g. the premiere of Walter Sallinen’s and writer Klaus Maunuksela’s installation piece Matrix of Modernity as well as two performances by the Copenhagen-based trio, NEKO3.

Jyväskylä Festival 3–9 July

The precursor to Finnish city festivals, Jyväskylä Festival (in the city of Jyväskylä, Central Finland) has strived throughout its history to stay ahead of its time and try new things. At the core of its multidisciplinary art programme are classy and interesting performances, from pop to contemporary classical music and dance and theatre to films and clubs. This year, the annually changing theme of the festival is movement and musical acts include art pop luminary Yona with the Jyväskylä Symphony Orchestra led by conductor Taavi Oramo as well as rock icon Hector with His Powerband.

Helsinki Chamber Music Festival 4–5 July

Helsinki Chamber Music Festival offers high quality concert experiences at central locations surrounding the Senate Square and historical Helsinki. The neighbourhood's architecturally unique art nouveau style halls, recently renovated cafés and beautiful churches provide an idyllic settings for many characterful concerts. This year's programme is yet to be announced, so make sure to visit the website!

Savonlinna Opera Festival 5 July–4 August

The Savonlinna Opera Festival, established in 1912, is undoubtedly the largest and best known opera festival in Finland. The Festival takes place in Savonlinna, at the medieval St. Olaf's Castle, built in 1475, located amid spectacular lake scenery. This year, the program includes classics such as Giuseppe Verdi’s Nabucco as well as Mozart’s Don Giovanni. Finnish performances include Kaija Saariaho’s Adriana Mater. Additionally, Karita Mattila will sing her first ever operatic role with the ensemble of the Prague National Theatre.

Ruisrock 5–7 July

The oldest rock festival in Finland, and the second oldest continuously running rock festival in Europe, located in Ruissalo Park, Turku, has successfully gravitated towards mainstream electronic, hip hop and pop audiences in the past years. In 2024, Ruisrock’s programme features international stars like The Chainsmokers (US), Stormzy (UK), Ashnikko (US), Joker Out (SI), Sexyy Red (US), Don Toliver (US), J Hus (UK), Romy (UK), Louis Tomlinson (UK), Offset (US), Bar Italia (UK) and Mø (DK). The line-up is complemented with excellent Finnish acts like Vilma Jää, Blind Channel, Käärijä, Windows95man and LASTOUT, as well as a complete buffet table of domestic mainstream Finn-pop and rap.

Archipelago Sea Jazz 5 July­–10 August

Archipelago Sea Jazz is a four-festival series held in the intimate atmosphere of the Baltic Sea archipelago. Including Baltic Jazz, Korpo Sea Jazz, Turku Sea Jazz and Åland Sea jazz the group of festivals offer a wide selection of jazz from Finnish top artists such as Joonas Tuuri Quartet, Maja Mannila Trio feat. Mikko Antila, Olli Ahvenlahti New Quintet, Puños and The Stance Brothers, as well as international names such as Ulf Wakenius (SE).

Watch the aftermovie for Archipelago Sea Jazz 2023.

Kaustinen Folk Music Festival 8–14 July

Established in 1968, Kaustinen Folk Music Festival is the largest folk music festival in the Nordic countries. During the festival week in Kaustinen you can catch Finnish acts like Antti Paalanen, Maria Kalaniemi, Sväng, DANTCHEV: DOMAIN, Ánnámáret, Hostikka, Enkel, Vilma Talvitie, Piirpauke, Club for Five and Pariisin Kevät, as well as international names like Puuluup (EST) and Samba Touré (ML). And quite literally countless others – over seven hundred groups, musicians and dancers will perform at the free-for-all folk jam festival this summer! And obviously you can catch more than an earful of Kaustinen Fiddle Playing tradition – recently added on Unesco's list of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Tangomarkkinat 10–13 July

Forget everything you know about tango – the Argentinian version – Finland's idea of tango is something very different. Bordering on schlager and these days even mainstream pop music, Finnish tango is thoroughly represented in Seinäjoki's Tangomarkkinat, the yearly main event for the genre, where even the "Tango Queen and King" of the year are crowned. If you’re from outside of Finland, these names maybe won’t say much to you, but just letting you know that Kyösti Mäkimattila, Pirita Niemenmaa, Amadeus Lundberg, Saija Tuupanen and Jari Sillanpää, among many others are performing this year. A true Finnish experience if anything!

Pori Jazz 12–20 July

Finland’s oldest jazz festival is known for a lineup that usually goes way beyond jazz. This year the lineup includes headlining legends Pet Shop Boys (UK) and Kraftwerk (DE), pop megastars Jason Derulo (US) and Sophie Ellis-Bextor (UK), genre-bending jazz and funk contemporaries like Knower (US) and Sungazer (US), Nubya Garcia (UK) as well as guitar legend Al Di Meola (US). Finnish acts include Tinyhawk & Bizzarro, Olli Ahvenlahti New Quintet, Lassy-Eskola: Nordic Stew, Selma Savolainen and countless more!

Ilosaarirock 12–14 July

Ilosaarirock Festival is held in the city of Joensuu in eastern Finland. The long-running festival is a favorite for Finnish music lovers, selling out every year. This summer, the program consists of international artists like Chase & Status Live (UK), Viagra Boys (SE), Electric Callboy (DE), Tom Odell (UK), Dumb Buoys Fishing Club (UK), Cian Ducrot (IE), Dirty Loops (SE), Palaye Royale (US), Idestroy (UK), Imminence (SE), Hotwax (UK) and Heilung (DE/DK/NO), along with domestics favorites such as Blind Channel, Stam1na (with Joensuu City Orchestra), Moon Shot, Goldielocks, Mary Ann Hawkins and Steve ‘n’ Seagulls.

Bättre Folk 12–13 July

Bättre Folk, held in the beautiful surroundings of the Hailuoto island, has the reputation of an iconic “hipster” festival. In the past years it has grown to be a popular, yet distinctive event with a lineup featuring some of Finland's biggest acts in indie and mainstream pop. Again this year the festival will host domestic names such as Jesse Markin, Mikko Joensuu, Aavikko, Lyyti, Orvokki, Antti Autio, Rebekka Holi and Risto. Besides music, Bättre Folk also offers new literature, sauna culture and community art for the audience to enjoy.

Mitäs Mitäs Mitäs 12–14 July

Positive vibes are indisputable, as Mitäs Mitäs Mitäs (which freely translates to “what now what now what now”) festival, organized in Nuutajärvi, Urjala, promises to break barriers as an unprejudiced celebration of arts. Visitors can take part in various workshops, community artworks and participatory performances and the organizers encourage people to perform at the festival area, hold their own workshops and express themselves freely. The programme is filled with intriguing new music from Grande Mahogany to Tinyhawk & Bizzarro and Goldielocks to Thomas Ignatius, topped with a smorgasbord of DJ’s and all kinds of art from modern circus performances to contemporary visual arts.

Watch the aftermovie for Mitäs Mitäs Mitäs 2023.

Kuhmo Chamber Music Festival 14–27 July

In less than 50 years, Kuhmo Chamber Music has grown to become one of the world's foremost classical music festivals. For a fortnight chamber music takes over the streets of 8000-inhabitant town of Kuhmo, as over a hundred musicians perform at dozens of concerts. The theme for this year is ”Borderlines" and the artistic directors are Minna Pensola and Antti Tikkanen. The program includes pieces by Georg Friedrich Handel, Joseph Haydn, J. S. Bach, Kaija Saariaho, Lotta Wennäkoski, Jean Sibelius, Philip Glass, Steve Reich, Arvo Pärt, and countless others. There are also children’s concerts, student concerts, talks, instrument demonstrations, meetings with artists and composers, art exhibitions workshops and unexpected musical moments in the surrounding nature.

Sastamala Gregoriana 17–21 July

Sastamala Gregoriana is the leading early music festival in Finland. The festival has been organized annually since 1996 in the southwestern town of Sastamala. It is one of the oldest and largest early music events in Finland, where thousands of people come to enjoy medieval, renaissance and baroque music. The main venues of the festival are the old, spectacular lakeside churches of St Mary's and St Olaf’s, which have beautiful, unique acoustics and fascinating histories. Artistic director for Sastamala Gregoriana is Michael Fields and this year’s theme is Rome, The Eternal City. This means that during this summer, the festival will showcase Italian music, like “Echoes of Arcadia” performed by Pizzicar Galante (FR) and “Pizzicar di Corde” performed by Alon Sariel (IL/DE) and Paola Erdas (IT). Finnish musicians this year include Trio Époque, Vilppu Vuori and Ensemble Aspiratio.

Odysseus 19–20 July

Landing to central Helsinki from the Lonna island, the 4th edition of Odysseus Festival will be held at a new location, the cultural centre Korjaamo in the Töölö neighborhood. The program of the event contains the crème de la crème of Finnish jazz, indie, folk and experimental music: Grande Mahogany, Mikko Joensuu, The Stance Brothers, Olli Ahvenlahti New Quintet, Jonathan Bäckström and Verneri Pohjola, just to mention a few. This year's international guests include Lost Girls (NO), Oren Ambarchi (AU), Dan Nicholls (UK), Enji (MN) and Y-OTIS (SE).

Ilmiö 19–20 July

In late July, Fans of indie and underground music scene gather to Ilmiö, a festival held in an intimate environment in the old factory quarters of downtown Turku. Its multi-disciplinary programme consists of acts such as VIMMA, Ahti Kulo, Anis Kiitu, Joona & Linnut and Lentävä Sirkkeli. Admission to the festival is free of charge!

Summer Sound 19–20 July

Helsinki's famous Kaapelitehdas venue, the old cable factory, transforms into an electronic music festival ground, as Summer Sound Festival brings together people to enjoy the performances of international dj's such as Billy Gillies, Christina Novelli and Giuseppe Ottaviani, as well as local favorites like Tempo Giusto, Alex Kunnari and Hardstyle Mafia.

Kuopiorock 25–27 July

Sometimes called the sunniest festival in Finland, Kuopiorock brings a great offering of rock and pop music to the Northern Savonia. This year, the lineup includes international names like The Prodigy (UK), Gene Simmons Band (US), Hardcore Superstar (SE) and Amaranthe (SE), along with local rockers such as Lordi, Blind Channel, Stratovarius, Lost Society, Tarot, Mokoma, Turmion Kätilöt, Suburban Tribe, Rock band from hell and countless more.

Raahe Jazz on the Beach Festival 25–27 July

Raahe Jazz on the Beach Festival, with over three decades of history, is an intimate and modern outdoor jazz festival in the idyllic, old wooden seaside town Raahe in Northern Finland. This summer’s line-up includes Pelkkä Poutanen, Josefiina Vannesluoma Mortal Lease, Wishamalii, Laurell & Sun Dog, Virta, Plop & Junnu, Verneri Pohjola: Exotic Matter and Suzanne (FR).

Lieksa Brass Week 26 July–3 August

Boasting their status as the biggest brass festival in the Nordics, Lieksa Brass Week includes music courses, international competition and the classical concert series as well as open air performances. Working with artistic director Jouko Harjanne, the line-up is filled with names such as Tero Lindberg, Berlin Brass Quintet (DE), Saar Berger (DE) & Matthew Gee (US), N-crafts (JP), Sergio Carolino (PT) and many, many more!

Qstock 26–27 July

The two-day festival in Oulu, Northern Finland, gathers a lineup with the Finland’s premier artists such as Blind Channel, Bloodred Hourglass, Lost Society, Mokoma, Goldielocks, Stoned Statues and Milla Lehto. International names include The Prodigy (UK), Zara Larsson (SE), Amaranthe (SE) and Alessandra (NO).

Watch the aftermovie for Qstock 2023.

Our Festival 27 July–3 August

Our Festival (in Finnish: Meidän Festivaali) is renowned for its fresh approach to the arts and its crossover events. With its artistic director group, the string quartet Kamus, the event seeks new perspectives on musical encounters and concert practices, with a view to giving the audience an experience that is simply not available elsewhere. Our Festival takes place in various locations in the landscapes of Lake Tuusula only half an hour’s drive north from Helsinki. The theme for this year is "On Tradition", and the wide lineup features musicians such Senja Rummukainen, Johannes Piirto, Elina Vähälä, Terhi Paldanius, Sähköpaimen and Kamariorkesteri Avanti!. Compositions will be by the likes of Outi Tarkiainen, Jean Sibelius, Kaija Saariaho, Joseph Haydn and Sebastian Hilli.

Fiskars Summer Festival 29 July–3 August

Fiskars Summer Festival is a unique and internationally recognised festival, founded by Finnish conductor Jukka-Pekka Saraste and celebrating its 5^th anniversary this year. Artists include guest conductor James Gaffigan, who will join Saraste, soprano Camilla Nylund and the Fiskars Festival Orchestra for a programme of Mahler, Schubert, Wennäkoski and more. Esa-Pekka Salonen and Dalia Stasevska will be among the teachers at the conductors’ masterclass this year. The festival also includes Art & Design Biennale, a celebration of local art, design and craftsmanship.

Mänttä Music Festival 30 July–3 August

Mänttä Music Festival is an international meeting point for friends of piano music, which promises "world-class piano recitals amidst art and nature". The event's artistic director is
Niklas Pokki and the musicians include Laura Mikkola, Anton Meijas, Yeol Eum Son (KR), Pierre-Laurent Aimard (FR), Elisabeth Brauß (DE), Severin von Eckardstein (DE) and Ingrid Filter (AR).

August

Bal des Incohérents 1–3 August

The most talked-about Finnish festival of 2023 was undoubtedly “Epikset”, aka Bal des Incohérents, also dubbed as “the Finnish Fyre festival” by the internet. Taking place abandoned golf course in northeastern Finland, the event had some production challenges, but eventually ended up as a nice and extremely unique experience for the few that actually got there. With dozens of names from the tiniest Finnish underground acts to Ariel Pink (US), Memorials (UK) and Flamingods (BH), as well as local experimental legends Läjä Äijälä (with his two projects, The Kolmas and The Sultans) and Harju (fka Paavoharju), the festival tries it again this year. The fact that tickets are only available through a crowdfunding campaign, says something about the odds, but we're keeping our fingers crossed!

Update: The festival was cancelled due to the plan of the event not meeting the permit requirements, so the permit was not granted by the local police authorities.

Saltfest 1–4 August

2023's festival newcomer SaltFest, held in the south-coastal town of Loviisa, kicks off its second year with a diverse program presenting jazz, indie, experimental and folk music. In addition to well-known artists, the four-day festival will feature new promising talents – and guaranteed surprises from different genres of music. The program is mainly curated by artistic director, veteran dj Bunuel (Måns Strömberg) and the lineup includes Vilma Jää, Islaja, Inginmaa & Hypnomen, Mikko Innanen, Aavikko, BFP, Lyyti, Tuulikki Bartosik, Kissa, Olli Ahvenlahti New Quintet, Tinyhawk & Bizzarro and much more!

Smugglerrok 2–3 August

Celebrating their 10^th birthday this year, SmugglerRok (where do they come up with these names!) in Lieto, a province just outside the city of Turku caters a selection of Finnish rock and mainstream favorites. The lineup includes e.g. Battle Beast, Erja Lyytinen and Michael Monroe.

Watch the aftermovie for SmugglerRok 2023.

Weekend Festival 2–3 August

This year, Finland’s most widely known EDM festival Weekend presents a "Disco Nation edition", which means that three stages will be filled with both international and domestic dj’s! Knob tweekers such as Alan Walker (NO), Alesso (SE), Boris Brejcha (DE), Nicky Romero (NL), R3hab (NL), Tiësto (NL) and Timmy Trumpet (AU) are topping dj-heavy bill, while a long list of local talent ranging from Darude to DeejaVu, Devinity, Orkidea, Milla Lehto, Orion and Perttu fill in the gaps. Now for the 2^nd consecutive year, the festival will take place at Vermo park, Espoo.

Watch the aftermovie for Weekend Festival 2023.

Saarihelvetti 2–3 August

Experience the heaviest and darkest metal music imaginable whilst being surrounded by the beautiful lake Pyhäjärvi. This is offered by the metal festival Saarihelvetti (which translates to “island hell”) held on the Viikinsaari island in Tampere. Again, the festival features a convincing lineup with some of the major names in the Finnish metal scene such as Warmen, Mors Subita, Ensiferum, I Am Your God, Before the Dawn, Finntroll and Atlas as well as international acts like Fleshgod Apocalypse (IT), Aborted (BE), Monuments (UK), Mortiis (NOR) and Nekrogoblikon (US).

Watch the aftermovie for Saarihelvetti 2023.

Turku Music Festival 8–29 August

The Turku Music Festival is Finland’s oldest continuously running music festival, having been founded by the Musical Society in Turku in 1960. It has evolved into a diverse urban event with a wide range of excellent music including grand orchestral concerts, chamber music, recitals, jazz, outdoor events and children’s concerts. The current artistic director is Klaus Mäkelä. The guest roster includes Finnish and foreign stars each year – this time featuring international artists ranging from Kevin Greenlaw (US) to Peter Lodahl (DK), Claire Moncharmont (FR) and Orchestra della Toscana (IT). Domestic names include Samuli Edelmann, Matti Paatelma, Vilma Jää, Eero Lehtimäki, Ville Saarikoski, Tuisku Hillilä, Turku Conservatory Chamber Choir, The Finnish Baroque Orchestra, Aleksi Barrière and Turku Philharmonic Orchestra.

Flow Festival 9–11 August

One of Finland’s best known festivals internationally, Flow Festival provides music from pop and rock music mainstays to newcomers in genres ranging from r&b to indie, techno, jazz, hip hop and experimental music. All this is served in a monumental architectural site with exquisite light design and decorations, along with a magnificent choice of world spanning cuisine right in the midst of Helsinki. This year the line-up boasts with international acts such as PJ Harvey (UK), Pulp (UK), Amaarae (GH), Fred Again (UK), The Smile (UK), Alvvays (US), Idles (UK), Halsey (US), Yves Tumor (US), Jessie Ware (UK), Raye (UK), Janelle Monáe (US), Blonde Redhead (US), Evian Christ (UK), Aurora (NO) and Arooj Aftab (PK), as well as local greats like The Holy, The Stance Brothers, Joalin, Goldielocks, Lau Nau, Verneri Pohjola, Tinyhawk & Bizzarro, Maija Kauhanen, Knife Girl, Grande Mahogany, Lassy-Eskola: Nordic Stew and Elsi Goesch (FI/AU).

Watch the aftermovie for Flow Festival 2023.

Hellsinki Metal Festival 9–10 August

Founded in 2023, Hellsinki Metal Festival, held in the Helsinki Ice Hall area relies on big heavy rock names from the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s. During the three-day event you can catch legendary bands like Avantasia (DE), Kreator (DE), HammerFall (SE), Heaven Shall Burn (DE), Meshuggah (SE), Mayhem (NO), Satyricon (NO), Deicide (US), The Amity Affliction (AU), Doro (DE), Abbath (NO), Soen (SE) and Finnish heavyweights such as Insomnium, Wolfheart, Swallow the Sun, Havukruunu, Suotana and tons more!

Watch the aftermovie for Hellsinki Metal Festival 2023.

BRQ Vantaa Festival 10–16 August

The old parish church of St Lawrence’s historical environment is at the heart of the unique BRQ Vantaa Festival, which showcases baroque (yes, hold your sauces – it's BRQ, not BBQ!) music and period instruments while also including musical works from other eras. Concerts include “In the footsteps of John”, a musical Bibliodrama focusing on J.S. Bach’s music and “The Masters of English Music”, a concert program that showcases English Baroque music. Artists taking the stages at BRQ 2024 will be e.g. Andrew Lawrence King (UK) and Marianne Beate Kielland (NO), as well as local names Anssi Karttunen, Piia Komsi and Hanna Pakkala, along with actors such as Tommi Korpela.

Helsinki Contemporary Opera Festival 15 August–1 September

At the Alexander Theatre in the heart of Helsinki, Helsinki Contemporary Opera Festival showcases as many as 11 professional groups, along with a free programme. This year’s selection highlights themes of experimentation and multidisciplinarity. Works include contemporary chamber opera “Endlessness”, Finnish chamber opera piece “Yllätä ikuinen Virta”, monologue opera ”Dominius Krabbe” and”Burnt Orange”, composed by Tauno Marttinen. The festival's artistic director is Reetta Ristimäki.

Helsinki Festival 15 August–1 September

Helsinki Festival is the largest arts festival in Finland, with a program consisting of concerts and happenings from classical and contemporary music to indie, jazz and world music. This year the schedule contains, for example, Hovanštšina opera, performed by the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra FRSO with Esa-Pekka Salonen conducting, as well as The Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra’s Wish Concert, which explores the positive effects of classical music on mental wellbeing and a functional society. On the bill you can also find domestic pop, rock and indie artists like Maustetytöt (along with a screening of Aki Kaurismäki’s Fallen Leaves), Tinyhawk & Bizzarro, Aku Raski (fka Huoratron), Giant Robot and Mikko Joensuu, along with world and global acts like Vilma Jää and Kimmo Pohjonen and jazz names like Ricky-Tick Big Band. From the international side you have The Cleveland Orchestra (US) with Franz Welser-Möst & Víkingur Ólafsson, Cat Power (US) revisiting the famous 1966 Bob Dylan concert, Ride (UK), Hermanos Gutiérrez (EC/CH), Carla Bruni (IT), and Brandee Younger (US), performing with UMO Helsinki Jazz Orchestra. Not to forget dance, theater, film, visual arts and children’s culture.

Blockfest 16–17 August

Blockfest is the biggest hip hop festival in the whole Nordic area, which has since 2008 gathered countless international rap royalties and local favorites to Tampere. This year, Blockfest brings a lineup of international acts like Meek Mill (US), 21 Savage (US), Chief Keef (US), Killer Mike (US), Skepta (UK) and Soulja Boy (US) along with many domestic stars such as Isac Elliot, Senya, Tuuli and Etta.

Watch the aftermovie for Blockfest 2023.

Ijahis Idja 16–17 August

Ijahis idja is the most important gathering and meeting point for the Sámi people in Finland. The festival presents a range of Sámi arts, of sports competitions and handcrafts market and other side events. So far, only two programme highlights have been announced. One is NÁSTTÁŽAT, which is a children's and youngsters' musical performance, and the other one is a talent stage, set to provide a platform for up-and-coming artists from Sápmi – but if you keep visiting the festival's home page, you will surely find more names soon!

Kyröfest 17 August

Kyröfest, held at Kyrö rye distillery in Isokyrö, is promised to be "a unique village fiesta that brings people together". Containing some of the most interesting Finnish indie names of today, the line-up is indeed convincing: Tinyhawk & Bizzarro, Ruusut, Arppa, Aavikko, Rebekka Holi, Midsommaren, Pesso and more. The municipality of Isokyrö is located in the South Ostrobothnia region, 43 kilometres from the nearest city, Vaasa, and 400 kilometres from Helsinki.

Festivaali 23–24 August

The music festival simply named "festival" – Festivaali in Finnish – celebrates the biggest and most interesting local names in indie, almost crossing over to mainstream. Festivaali will be held in the beautiful lake scenery of Pyynikki in the city of Tampere, shedding light to acts such as pop luminaries Alma, Goldielocks and Joalin, indie folk favorite Mikko Joensuu, electro pop darlings Pearly Drops, crossover soul rocker Jesse Markin and ethno-electro newcomer Vilma Jää plus many more.