Festivals in Finland You Should Experience Once in a Lifetime

festivals in finland

When tourists say about Finland, they usually imagine the Northern lights, calm lakes, quaint saunas and snowy scenery. Nevertheless, Finland is not merely a country of nature and peaceful life, but also a nation of colorful customs, music and cultural festivals. Festivals are a real mirror of the Finnish people: warm, innovative, strongly related to nature and proud of their traditions. The festivals are important not only to the locals but also to international visitors and provide the opportunity to feel the cultural pulse of Finland in an unusual manner.

You can celebrate the solstice on a lakeside, dance at a rock music festival in the middle of the night, or simply feel the festive mood at the Independence Day of Finland but in any case, you will feel the happiness, the tradition, and memorable moments. Travelers who want something more than the typical sightseeing can find one of the best ways to experience the spirit of the country visiting the festivals in Finland. In case you are planning a Finland Tour or are looking at custom Financial Tour Packages, you can visit these festivals to make your travel richer and help you to become closer to Finnish culture. To foreign tourists, festivals are a whole new experience to their travel. It is not just a question of seeing sights or picturesque locations, but rather a question of being immersed into living traditions that local people are fond of. Most of these festivals are an amalgamation of old traditions and present-day innovation and provide a range of entertainment to history buffs, music lovers, families, and adventure seekers. You can align your visit with these festivals with well-planned Finland Holiday Packages to make sure that you not only leave behind the photographs but also the invaluable memories.

1. Vappu – May Day Celebrations

Vappu is one of the most popular festivals in Finland, which are celebrated on the 1 st of May annually. It is more than a mere public holiday it is an all-country celebration of the coming of spring. Students, employees, and families can meet in parks, town squares, and streets to have some food, music, and networking. There is the putting on of student caps, the skies are flooded with balloons, picnics with sparkling drinks and special Finnish donuts known as munkki are all a part of it. Vappu is representative of the festive spirit of Finland and thus, makes it an ideal moment to interact with the locals. It is a great festival that anyone planning a Finland Tour should attend to experience the joy and hospitality of Finnish first-hand.

2. Juhannus- Midsummer Festival.

One of the most Finnish magical holidays is Juhannus, the festivity held at the end of June. It is profoundly intertwined with nature, light and summer traditions. Since in Finland, the daylight period in midsummer is almost 24 hours, lakes and seasides are lit in bonfires and people invite each other to music, food and dancing. Saunas, which is a traditional element of Finnish culture, is the center of the festivities. This is one of the festivals that travelers will never forget due to the magical ambience of the midnight sun. Juhannus is an event that is strongly advised in Finnish Holiday Packages, particularly to people intending to attain the Finnish style of enjoying the summertime amidst nature.

3. Helsinki Festival Arts and Culture at its best.

The Helsinki Festival is the biggest arts festival in Finland, which takes place in late August and early September. It unites the international performers and artists of the world, providing concerts, theater, dance, visual arts as well as modern circus. Helsinki is a place that breathes creativity with venues all around, so it is a paradise of art and culture lovers. To travelers on a Finland Tour, the Helsinki Festival is a chance to explore the internationalized (cosmopolitan) aspect of a Finnish location, to experience both local and international influence. It will be a festival to all, regardless of your preference of classical tunes, modern installations or vibrant performances.

4. Savonlinna Opera Festival

The Savonlinna Opera Festival is one of the most admirable cultural events in Finland, the action of which takes place in the wonderful medieval Olavinlinna Castle. It is held annually in July and it is connected with the opera performances of the world scale and the picturesque background of a fortress on a lake. The music and scenery are a combination which makes it one magical experience. The festival brings in foreigners and opera lovers all around the world. It is the best thing to do in many Finland Tour Packages not only to have fun but also to get a glimpse of the rich cultural heritage of Finland.

5. Midnight Sun Film Festival

The Midnight Sun Film Festival in Sodankylä every June is must visit to the lovers of cinema. This festival, founded by world-renowned Finnish film-makers, shows movies 24 hours a day, which uses to the fullest the dayless summer of the arctic. It is not a formal setting, but very artistic as the directors and movie lovers openly discuss their film and its artistry. Including this event in your Finland Tour guarantees a very unique cultural experience, particularly when it comes to people who are fond of art-house-films and genuine community-feels.

6. Pori Jazz Festival

One of the oldest and most renowned jazz festivals in Europe is Pori Jazz Festival that takes place in each July. What began as a modest festival in 1966 has developed into an international level of music festival, which brings to the scene jazz legends around the world and great numbers of people. The festival is held in Kirjurinluoto Park and makes it a very easy-going and yet energetic atmosphere. To music lovers, this festival will feature in Finland Holiday Packages will ensure them memorable nights watching live shows against the Finnish summer sky.

7. Ruisrock Festival

Ruisrock being the oldest rock festival in Europe, is an annual festival on Ruissalo Island in Turku held in July. It has international superstars, as well as Finnish bands, and has a variety of music genres. The festival vibe is charged and thousands of fans are dancing and celebrating as one on the scenic beaches of the island. Ruisrock is an ideal addition to the itinerary of those who want to capture the youthfulness and world-class performances on their Finland tour.

8. Kaustinen Folk Music Festival.

When you are attracted to folk music and cultural traditions, the Kaustinen Folk Music Festival is a must visit place. Each July the town of Kaustinen is filled with folk musicians, dancers and workshops. Finnish traditions and international folk shows are presented during the festival, which is one of the most heartwarming festivals in Finland. When it comes to Finland Tour Packages, Kaustinen is an authentic cultural experience, as travelers will be able to not only observe performances, but even take part in workshops.

9. Christmas in Rovaniemi.

Finland is internationally regarded as the destination of Santa Claus and the Lapland Rovaniemi is the center of Christmas festivities. During the month of December, the city turns into a miracle wonderland with snow-covered streets, Christmas markets, rides with reindeers and, obviously, Santa Claus Village. This is among the most memorable festivals in Finland to families. Christmas experiences are included in many of the Finland Holiday Packages, which makes it a dream trip to both kids and adults.

10. Independence Day

Finland has an Independence Day on the 6 th of December when very serious ceremonies are held and people are happy. Windows are adorned with blue-and-white candles, there are parades and the day ends with the Presidential Independence Day Reception – broadcast throughout the country. This will be a chance to see the national pride of Finland and the cultural unity of the country to the travelers. When you incorporate Independence Day celebrations in your Finland Tour, you will have an idea about the national identity and values of Finnish people.

11. Other Notable Festivals

  • Air Guitar World Championships (Oulu): It is a funny event, a fun-filled event, which demonstrates Finnish humor.
  • Flow Festival (Helsinki): This is an urban trendy festival dedicated to music, art, and sustainability.
  • Wife Carrying World Championships (Sonkajarvi): It is a light-hearted competition that involves participants all over the world and lots of laughs. Such special occasions are evidence of the innovative nature of Finland and they are excellent additions to Finland Tour Packages specialized in particular areas.

Conclusion

One of the most effective methods of going beyond sightseeing and learning so much about the country, its traditions, creativity, and a joyful spirit, is to explore festivals in Finland. A festival like the magic of Midsummer under the midnight sun to the beauty of the Opera Festival, the zest of Ruisrock to the coziness of Christmas in Lapland, every festival presents a certain taste of Finnish life. Not only do they feature music, art and culture but they also provide travelers with a chance to spend time within communities, nature and revelry as Finns do.

In case you are planning on your trip, you can match your travelling dates with these iconic events by selecting carefully designed Finland Holiday Packages. You can travel with your family, your couple, or alone but these festivals will leave you with a memorable trip. To have the best experiences, sites such as Go kite Oman can offer you packages that combine sightseeing with the delight of festivals so that you do not regret missing such once-in-a-life opportunities.