Finland — Events
Elojazz and Blues Festival
August 1, 2010 - August 3, 2010
First held in 1989, the Elojazz and Blues Festival is a popular musical event that attracts musicians and fans from all over the world. The festival covers a wide and varied program of artists with performances taking place in a number of different venues in Oulu on the west coast of Finland in the Gulf of Bothnia.
Baltic Herring Fair
October 1, 2011 - October 31, 2011
Fishermen have been gathering round Helsinki Market Square at the beginning of October to sell their wares ever since the 18th century. The tradition continues to this day, and each October, Helsinki hosts the Baltic Herring Fair, one of the city’s oldest traditional events. The market is packed with salted, pickled and marinated fish and special events also take place. As well as traditional marinade recipes, there are also exotic options on offer too ranging from lemon and rowanberry to cayenne pepper and garlic.
St Thomas Christmas Market
December 7, 2011 - December 22, 2011
Stalls selling Christmas treats and seasonal crafts.
Naantali Music Festival
May 1, 2012 - June 30, 2012
Held in the pretty coastal resort of Naantali in the southwest of Finland, the annual Naantali Music Festival presents a packed program of performances by artists from all over the world. First organized in 1980 by the acclaimed cellist, professor Arto Noras, the festival includes an exciting program of chamber music. Most performances take place in the town’s stunning mediaeval abbey while other events include concert cruises, open-air concerts, a coffee concert at Naantali Spa and a dinner concert at the Kaivohuone restaurant.
Organ Night and Aria Festival
June 1, 2012 - June 30, 2012
This event takes place on Thursday nights during its 13-week program. Visitors can enjoy a series of musical performances in the stunning Espoo Cathedral, with the late night concerts spanning a wide range of musical genres.
Helsinki Pride
June 1, 2012 - July 30, 2012
Each summer, Helsinki’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community party and get political at Finland’s biggest Pride festival. The annual event promotes equality and openness through discussions, cultural events, parties and a big parade. As many as 3,000 people march through the streets in an eye-popping and colorful display, and overall 10,000 revelers take part in the wider events. Performers and activists rub up alongside spectators and organizers, but the event is not only popular with the LGBT community.
Juhannusvalkeat (Midsummer)
June 24, 2012 - June 25, 2012
Midsummer’s eve celebration with bonfires, folk music and dancing.
Pori Jazz Festival
July 1, 2012 - July 31, 2012
With a long history that stretches back to 1966, the festival has a well-earned reputation as one of the biggest and best jazz festivals in Europe. Attracting over 100,000 visitors during its nine-day duration, visitors to this event can expect an audio feast of jazz music that embraces the genre in all its weird and wonderful forms. Past performers have ranged from such classics as Chuck Berry and James Brown to more contemporary acts such as Craig David and Alicia Keys. But whatever your tastes, this is a fabulous festival that is popular with music fans young and old.
Kotka Maritime Festival
July 1, 2012 - August 31, 2012
Taking place each July in the coastal town of Kotka in the southeast of the country is the annual Maritime Festival. The event takes place at the height of summer attracting visitors from across the region for a fun event involving nautical displays, street theater, live music and a market selling all manner of nautically-related goods and wares. A Children’s Maritime Festival is held at the same time and features a range of theater, music and conjuring.
