Detailed information about these and other events can be found under: www.festivals.fi

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

1 Jan

Uusi vuosi New Year’s Day;

6 Jan

Loppiainen Epiphany/Russian Orthodox Christmas;

Good Friday

Pitkäperjantai;

Easter

Pääsiäinen;

1 May

Vappu May Day, Workers Day;

Ascension Day

Helatorstai;

Whitsun

Helluntai;

Fri/Sat after 20 June

Juhannus Midsummer celebrations;

6 Dec

Itsenäisyyspäivä Independence Day;

24–26 Dec

Joulu Christmas

FESTIVALS & EVENTS

FEBRUARY/MARCH

Musica nova (Helsinki): This important European contemporary music festival lasts 2 weeks. www.musicanova.fi

Oulu Music Festival: Classical music far in the north. www.oulunmusiikkijuhlat.fi

APRIL

Espoo April Jazz: One week of big international names. www.apriljazz.fi

Tanssivirtaa Tampere: Contemporary Finnish dance. www.tanssivirtaa.net

MAY

Vaasa Choir Festival: Finnish choirs, from barbershop to opera. www.vaasa.fi/choirfestival

JUNE

Kuopio International Dance Festival: One of the most important of its kind in northern Europe. www.kuopiodancefestival.fi, Sodankylä Midnight Sun Film Festival: Watch films under the midnight sun. www.msfilmfestival.fi, Avanti! Summer Sounds: Classical music in the old wooden town of Porvoo. www.avantimusic.fi, Korsholm Music Festival: Chamber music in unique settings on the islands around Korsholm/Vaasa. www.korsholmmusicfestival.fi, Midsummer celebrations: Parties everywhere with bonfires, dancing outside, ancient traditions. In Helsinki celebrations are held on Seurasaari Island (see p. 36).

JULY

Eukonkanto: The Wife Carrying World Championships are held every year in Sonkajärvi – one of Finland’s more bizarre competitions. www.eukonkanto.fi/en

Seinäjoki Tango Festival: Tango takes to the streets. www.tangomarkkinat.fi

Kuningasjätkä Tukkislaiskisat: Acrobatics on logs at the rafters’ championships near Ruka. www.tukkilaiset.com

Kuhmo Chamber Music Festival: Talented musicians perform in the wilderness in East Finland. www.kuhmofestival.fi

Kaustinen Folk Musik Festival: The largest and oldest of its kind in the north. www.kaustinen.net

Ilosaarirock Joensuu: One of the largest rock events with five stages. The 21,000 tickets are always sold out long in advance. www.ilosaarirock.fi

Pori Jazz: 15,000 jazz-lovers listen to artists of world renown. www.porijazz.fi

Savonlinna Opera Festival: World class performances in a wonderful castle setting. www.operafestival.fi

AUGUST

Tampere International Theater Festival: Showcasing the best Finnish and international theatre productions. www.teatterikesa.fi, Helsinki Festival: Three weeks of events incl. the ‘Night of the Arts’. www.helsinkifestival.fi

SEPTEMBER

Lahti Int. Sibelius Festival: Small, ambitious series of concerts devoted entirely to the great master. www.sinfonialahti.fi

NOVEMBER

Tampere Jazz Happening: Free jazz, rock and world music. www.tampere.fi/jazz

DECEMBER

Christmas markets in Helsinki: Thomas Market (Esplanade Park), Ladies’ Bazaar (Wanha Satama), Arts and Crafts (Old Student House). Information: www.hel.fi