The Finnish summer flourishes with a diverse array of festivals for different tastes. We compiled a list of essential world and folk music festivals that take over cities and villages all around Finland during the next three months.

June

Haapavesi Folk Music Festival, 23.–29.6., Haapavesi

Haapavesi Folk Music Festival is an international music festival, where folk music is combined with atmospheric church concerts, jazz, children's music, dance and theatre. There are approximately 10 000 visitors enjoying folk music every year. Finnish folk acts like Suo, Päre, and Suden aika as well as many international acts like Eric Bibb & the North Country Far, American Café Orchestra and Sans.

Jutajaiset, 25.-29.6.2014 Rovaniemi

Jutajaiset Folklore Festival, which began in 1972 in Sodankylä and later moved to Rovaniemi in 1995, is a Lappish dance and music festival with a focus on both northern and international arts and culture. The festival programme includes artists like Saaga Ensemble, Jaakko Laitinen & Väärä Raha, Orkestar Bordurka and Bjäran (Swe). 

July

Sata-Häme Soi, 1.–6.7., Ikaalinen

The idyllic centre of Old Town Ikaalinen is filled with musicians and friends of accordion music summer after summer. Sata-Häme Soi is known for The Golden Accordion, the competition for the Finnish Championship of entertainment accordion music and Primus Ikaalinen International Accordion Competition. This year’s programme includes Kimmo Pohjonen’s 50th anniversary concerts, Johanna Juhola Reaktori and Richard Galliano Quintet.

Sommelo, 2.–6.7., Kuhmo

The Sommelo Ethno Music Festival will resound for the ninth time in Kainuu and Viena Karelia on 2nd-6th July. Sommelo will again offer audiences a versatile selection of traditional and modern folk music on both sides of the eastern border. Alamaailman Vasarat, Värttinä, Puhti, Pekko Käppi & K.H.H.L. and Markku Lepistö Trio are among the artists who will play Sommelo this year.

Kaustinen Folk Music Festival, 07.-13.07. 2014, Kaustinen

Established in 1968, Kaustinen Folk Music Festival is the largest folk music festival in the Nordic countries. The theme of the 47th festival is polka. Acts that perform during the 6 days in Kaustinen include Frigg, Juuri & Juuri, harmonica quartet Sväng, Kardemimmit and Kaustinen’s Band of the Year, Juha Kujanpää Ensemble.

Jyväskylän Kesä, 8.–14.7., Jyväskylä

Jyväskylän kesä is an established city festival, held in the summery city of Jyväskylä. This year’s concert highlights are accordionist Kimmo Pohjonen’s and dancer-coreographer Minna Tervamäki’s collaboration Bright Shadow, Pohjonen’s concert with his daughter, drummer Saana Pohjonen and Nigerien desert blues act Etran Finatawa.

Seinäjoen Tangomarkkinat, 9.–13.7., Seinäjoki

If you wish to experience the Finnish tango fever at its highest, a visit to Seinäjoen Tangomarkkinat is a must. During the tango week Seinäjoki is filled with concerts, dancers, top performers of Finland as well as dance contests.

August

Etno-Espa, 11.–21.8., Helsinki

Etno-Espa is an event which focuses on contemporary Finnish folk music. The first event was held in 2005. The programme for this year’s event has not been published yet. Concerts take place on the Esplanade stage in the center of Helsinki on almost every weekday afternoon in August.

Ijahis Idja, 15.–17.8., Inari

Ijahis Idja is the only music festival held in Finland that concentrates on Sámi music. The annual festival, which takes place on 15-17 August, consists of workshops, seminars and concerts with guest performers from Sámi and other indigenous backgrounds. Main performance this year is by Mari Boine. In 2014 the guest performers representing other indigenous backgrounds come from Chukotka, Siberia. In addition, the festival will introduce visitors to West African music and dance tradition.

Helsinki Festival, 15.–31.8., Helsinki

Helsinki Festival is the largest arts festival in Finland, which serves as the perfect closure for the festival summer. In 2013, the festival had more than 200,000 visitors. The programme line-up featurs classical and world music, circus, dance, theatre, a children’s programme, cinema and a range of urban events. Festival highlights are Kimmo Pohjonen’s 50 year anniversary concert together with Kronos Quartet, Pekka Kuusisto and Samuli Kosminen while international acts include Iyeoka, Azam Ali & Niyaz (whose concert is opened by Wimme Saari & Tapani Rinne) and many more.