Festivals and cultural events Finland

Finland's most popular cultural event! Launched in 1912 by singer Aino Ackté, the festival presents operas in the castle's main courtyard, with its remarkable acoustics. Spread over an entire month, the program generally delights music lovers, and the great works are not served by the open air. An enchanting backdrop for the crowds strolling through the town's stores and workshops. Reservations highly recommended, given the crowds.

This same festival - Marianpäiva - has been celebrated since the ^14th century, and was originally intended for baptisms, communions, weddings and funerals. In those days, the Annunciation had a strong symbolic significance. The religious character of this gathering has faded, but the Sami from Finland, Norway and Sweden continue to gather. On the program: craft exhibitions, concerts of Sami songs(joiku), reindeer races and lassos throwing.

Less than 200 km from Helsinki, head for the great city of Turku for a few days of music. The Turku Jazz Festival is held every year at the beginning of August in three large halls, the main one in the courtyard of the Panimoravintola Koulu. Founded in 1969, the festival is world-renowned for the quality of its mainstream jazz repertoire, featuring both modern works and a diversity of genres, from swing to free jazz. After the virtual editions due to COVID, the festival made its return "for real" in 2022, and has gone from strength to strength!