Haapavesi Folk Music Festival

Haapavesi Folk Music Festival is a 3-day music event, founded in 1989. The festival’s program features a rich blend of high-quality Finnish and international folk and world music, complemented by selections of classical, jazz, pop, and cross-genre performances. The festival week kicks off with acclaimed Folk Courses, led by a diverse group of renowned folk musicians. The programme also includes seminars and a high-profile panel discussion of current cultural phenomena, with well-known speakers across the cultural spectrum.

The majority of the performers at the festival come from the Finnish folk music scene, but international artists are also an essential part of the programme. The festival offers music from different cultures all over the world, especially Scandinavian, Celtic, Eastern European and North American music.

The festival is organised by a small, local association. At the heart of the festival are hundreds of dedicated volunteers who come together each summer, forming the backbone of the team and bringing the event to life.
Teachers at the Folk Course come from several countries. The course provides an excellent opportunity to explore diverse musical cultures while receiving top-quality instruction on a variety of instruments.The course welcomes folk music enthusiasts of all ages.

In 2025, the Haapavesi Folk Music Festival will celebrate its 36th edition. The event holds great significance for both the folk music community and the local municipality. Haapavesi is a small town in Northern Ostrobothnia, with just about 6300 inhabitants. The event raises Haapavesi's visibility in the cultural scene and offers true festival spirit in a down-to-earth atmosphere.
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In 2026, Oulu will be the European Capital of Culture. The whole region of 39 municipalities will be filled with hundreds of cultural activities, and the Haapavesi Folk Music Festival is one of the main events in the area. Oulu2026 culture programme implements a cultural climate change: a sustainable, European, and inspiring future in the North. That climate change is also what the Haapavesi Folk Music Festival is about.