There are a lot of Festivals in Finland throughout the year and these festivals range from traditional to art and music festivals, If you are planning to visit Finland soon, then, below is a list of festivals in Finland that you should not miss out on. In summer some of the best festivals in Finland take place with the exception of certain festivals like Christmas and New Year hence the best time to visit Finland would be between the months of June to August and if you want to experience a Finland Christmas or the New Year then the Months from December to January is ideal as you will be able to see the Northern Lights as well.
11 Best Festivals In Finland
If colors, happy faces and festivities are your thing, you better hop onto the Finnish Bandwagon. Festivals in Finland will give you an experience of a lifetime, one you wouldn’t definitely want to miss!
- Midsummer Festival
- Christmas And New Year
- Flow Festival In Finland
- Tuska Open Air Metal Festival
- Midnight Sun Film Festival
- Baltic Circle Festival
- Kaustinen Folk Music Festival
- ILosaarirock
- Pori Jazz
- Tangomarkkinat
- Helsinki Pride
1. Midsummer Festival
Midsummer festival also known as Juhannus is a traditional Finnish festival that takes place on a Saturday between June 20th and 26th, on this day bonfires are lit at lakesides and by the sea, branches of birch trees are placed on both sides of the front door, a maypole is erected and unmarried women who seek husbands bend over and look into a well naked to see their future husband’s reflection or collect seven different flowers to place under their pillow so they can dream about their future husbands. A lot of drinking and celebrating takes place during this time along with Music festivals, Finnish flag day etc and since Finland is close to the Arctic circle the nights are very short or almost or non-existent.
When: 25th June
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2. Christmas And New Year
Just like in many countries Christmas and New Years in Finland is celebrated with great enthusiasm though the traditions may vary, Christmas season starts from Christmas eve and ends 13 days after Christmas during which there is plenty of merrymaking, shopping, Sweets and gingerbreads, holiday drinks, winter activities and so on and during the New Year celebrations people experience the Northern Lights along with fireworks and plenty of celebrating.
When: 25th December – 1st January
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3. Flow Festival In Finland
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This is an urban music and arts festival held in Helsinki where artists from different genres and nationals come to perform. The flow festival also holds exhibitions of visual arts, urban spaces, films and film screening and so on. This festival has seen famous artists such as The Black Keys, Kanye West, Bon Iver, The National, Kendrick Lamar, Iron & Wine and so on.
When: 12th August – 14th August
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4. Tuska Open Air Metal Festival
Tuska Open Air Metal Festival also known as Tuska is one of the largest and popular Finland metal Festival that takes place every year in Helsinki, the festival dates have always varied from June to July and they draw in bigger crowds every year ever since it started in 1998. Various prominent metal artists such as Children Of Bodom, Ghosts, Opeth, Celtic Frost and other have come to perform here.
When: 1st July – 3rd July
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5. Midnight Sun Film Festival
This festival has been held in Finland In Sodankyla ever since 1986 in the second week of June where it hosts International and National films for 5 days without break and runs around the clock, this is in reference to the fact that during this time the sun can always be seen and there is no night at all. Some of the biggest names in the film industry like Roger Corman, Terry Gilliam, Francis Ford Coppola and so on have attended this festival. This is among one of the more popular summer festivals in Finland.
When: 15th June – 19th June
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6. Baltic Circle Festival
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This is an international contemporary art and film festival is organised in Helsinki every November and has been since the year 2000 , here new talents for contemporary theatre come along with being a platform for developing new trends and ideas, it helps bring together the Baltic and Nordic communities and is considered a meeting point for artists, audiences and performing artists from different nations.
When: 18th Nov – 26th Nov
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7. Kaustinen Folk Music Festival
This festival has been around since 1968 and is the biggest and important folk music and dance festival in the Nordic Countries which hosts artists from around the world, both professional and amateurs. It takes place in the town of Kaustinen and it lasts for around a week. If you love folk music then this is the place to go during a visit to Finland.
When: 11th July – 17th July
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8. ILosaarirock
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This is the second oldest rock festival in Finland and has been going on since 1971 and lasts for 3 days during the weekend days, here both international and national artists come to perform with artists like Imagine Dragons, Portishead and more showing up to take stage. This festival, which takes place at Laulurinne in Joensuu in July, is organized by Joensuu Pop Musician’s Association which is a non-profit organization and any profits made goes to supporting the local bands and artists.
When: 15th July – 17th July
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9. Pori Jazz
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One of the oldest and also a pioneer of Finland music festivals, Pori jazz first took place on July 1966 and though it started small it grew in popularity every year and is not one of the biggest and renowned music festival in Europe. This festival is dedicated to Jazz music takes place in Kirjurinluoto in Pori city and many artists like Miles Davis, Ray Charles, Dizzy Gillespie, Chick Corea and more and have come and performed in this festival. If you love jazz music then this is the place to be.
When: 8th July – 16th July
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10. Tangomarkkinat
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This is one the oldest tango festival in Finland and the world and it is held every year in July in Seinäjoki, Finland. During this festival they hold competitions, which is open for both men and women, where the country’s best tango dancers, singers and composers come to compete against each other, the festival also holds live music performances and public dancing which is not restricted to just tango though it is encouraged. The biggest competition is the tango singing competition called the Tango Royal where a tango king and a tango queen is chosen and the whole event is televised as well.
When: 6th July – 10th July
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11. Helsinki Pride
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This is a LGBT pride event held in Helsinki in Finland and takes place in June the week after midsummer and it lasts the whole week, this festival holds sporting events, a rainbow fair and at the end a Pride parade which ends in the park where further celebrations take place with music shows, speeches and more.
When: 27th June – 3rd July
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There are numerous events and festivals in Finland which you can attend during your visit to Finland whether you’re visiting with your friends or family. So, don’t think too much and plan a trip to Finland right away to enjoy these festivals!
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Frequently Asked Questions About Festivals In Finland
Which festivals are celebrated in Finland?
Festivals like Christmas, New Year’s Day, Easter, and Midsummer Day are celebrated in Finland.
What is Midsummer Finland?
Midsummer Finland is a national holiday and a celebration of summer solstice.
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