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Finnish Festivals & Events

Midsummer Day (Juhannus) is one of the most important annual events for Finns. People leave cities and towns for cabins by the lakes and the sea in order to celebrate. The main party actually takes place on Midsummer's Eve with people lighting bonfires by the water and revellers swim, row and drink too much.

Most celebrations take place with family and friends at their cabin. However, some towns do hold public events and you should check with the local tourist office. Alternatively, go down to the water and watch the bonfires.

Midsummer Day is actually on the 24 th June, while the longest day is the 21 st of June.

Vappu (1 st May) is a public holiday and carnival. The day is for the benefit of students and workers and everywhere you will see people wearing white hats. People go to private and public parties and there is a general carnival atmosphere as people welcome the coming of warmer weather.

Crayfish Parties take place all over Finland in August and are as much about good company, singing and drinking vodka as eating this delicacy. Most take place in people's summer houses.

The Pori Jazz Festival in July is one of the country's most popular festivals, with Finnish and international acts.

The Savonlinna Opera Festival in July is held at the medieval Olavinnlinna Castle in the town of Savonlinna , and boasts high quality opera with numerous foreign companies also performing. The castle, perched on an islet at the edge of the town, is a wonderfully dramatic location for opera and the light July nights add to the experience

www.operafestival.fi/

Ruisrock in Turku in early July is one of Finland 's largest rock music festivals

http://www.ruisrock.fi/

There are numerous other festivals organised around the country, particularly in the summer months. We recommend you contact the tourist information office for details as many are announced quite late.