
Welcome to the Kaustinen Folk Music Festival 13.-19.7.2026!
The Kaustinen Folk Music Festival is the most significant folk music event in the Nordic countries and one of the key festivals in all of Europe. For nearly six decades, this festival in the province of Central Ostrobothnia has brought together folk music lovers, performers, and audiences from around the world.
Kaustinen is known for its warm, family-friendly atmosphere and strong sense of community — unforgettable experiences that keep visitors coming back year after year. The festival is deeply rooted in the region’s vibrant and continuous folk music tradition, which has remained unbroken for four centuries. The music never stops at the festival either but goes on into the wee hours!
Every July, the small municipality of Kaustinen (population 4,200) welcomes tens of thousands of guests to enjoy the happiest days of the summer. With a wide range of venues and services in both the festival area and surrounding village, Kaustinen offers a welcoming environment for both short visits and week-long stays. Everyone is welcome, come and experience the joy of folk music!
On this page you will find info about the festival. If questions arise, please contact info@kaustinen.net
Festival guests abc
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The center of the festival area on Festival park, located within a fenced area in the centre of Kaustinen. It includes the KPO Arena and numerous other performance venues. The area also offers various food and merchandise sales services, as well as a playground. Performance stages outside the festival park are also within reasonable walking distance. Access to the festival area and all performance venues outside the festival grounds is granted with a day ticket and a folk musician's wristband. You can also leave the area freely at times. The ticket must be shown at the entrances to the area both upon arrival and departure, at which point it will be optically read by security personnel. At performance venues outside the festival park, the ticket must be shown upon entry. The entrance gates are located at Pelimannitori on the Kaustinen centre side and next to the Music High School on the opposite side.
First aid can be found in the Festival area at the secondary school. SPR will be on duty at the site. The emergency number during the event is 040 707 9869.
Accessibility The festival area has been made as accessible as possible for wheelchair users. It is also possible to access festival venues located indoors by wheelchair. Accessible toilets are located at the secondary school, the music college, and the Centre for Folk Culture. There is an accessible portable toilet on the festival site. The 'Pelimannitalo' can be accessed via a ramp, but it is narrow and there are thresholds inside. Read more about accessibility >
Festival shop is the festival's own shop, where you can find shirts, postcards and badges, badges, hats, scarves, cloth bags and other small festival merchandise. The shop is located in the Festival Yard.
Folk Shop you will find a good selection of folk music publications: recordings, books, musical instruments, small instruments and, of course, festival products! Bands that have released new albums also make surprise appearances in the Folk Shop! The Folk Shop is located in the secondary school and is run in cooperation with the festival by the Finnish Folk Music Association and the Folk Music Institute Association.
Proof of identity Photo identification is required in licensed premises.
Harassment Contact The festival is a safe space and we do not tolerate discrimination, harassment or harassment of any kind. If you observe inappropriate behaviour, please report it to the festival staff or the harassment officer. The harassment hotline is 040 1384794 (on-call during the festival week 10-21).
Day ticket The day ticket is valid all day from dawn to dusk and covers all the events in the handicap programme for that day. Evening tickets (see evening ticket), weekly tickets and weekend tickets are also available.
Evening ticket The one-day evening ticket is valid after 7:00 PM on weekdays from Tuesday to Friday. On Saturdays, there is no evening ticket available. Those who have purchased a day ticket do not need a separate evening ticket.
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Evening News will be lit at the fireplaces in front of the Pelimann House and at the community singing place along Highway 13. At the bonfires you can experience Kaustinen's intense night atmosphere in its truest form by playing, singing, listening or chatting.
Information desks located in the festival park's Juhlapihalla and Musiikkilukio, as well as the Kansantaiteenkeskus. The Juhlapihalla information point is open from 10 am to 8 pm and the Musiikkilukio information point is open 24 hours a day for the entire event. Lost property can be handed in and enquired about at the Musiikkilukio information point. The Kansantaiteenkeskus information point and ticket sales are open from 9:30 am to 9 pm. The festival information phone number is 040 170 1966.
Folk Arts Centre You can get festival tickets at the Folk Art Centre's information desk and the shop has a wide selection of record and book publications, a folk music museum run by the Folk Music Institute and the Kaustinen Hall. The building itself is also an architectural attraction.
Dogs Dogs are allowed in the outdoor areas of the festival area. However, dogs must be kept on a lead and their droppings must be collected. Guide dogs may also be brought into the restaurant areas and indoor areas. If you are in a crowded area with your dog, please be considerate of other festival visitors.
Handbook The festival handouts are available for purchase at the festival gates, in the Info Shop and in the Folkshop. The price of the handout is €2.
Children Kaustinen Folk Music Festival is the perfect summer family destination. Children's Kaustinen includes the colourful programme of the Children's Tent, numerous top names in children's music, and activities for the whole family. You can take part in the activities in the Craft Tent together with your own adult, but children are warmly welcome on their own too, under the responsibility of their own adult. In the festival grounds' playground located next to the Children's Tent, children can play all day under parental supervision. Read more about Children's Kaustinen >
Children's ticket 7-15 years. 10 € / day. Children under 7 years free.
Youth ticket 16-21 v. 20 € / day.
Nursery is located at the primary school, where you can change nappies and warm up food, among other things.
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Ticket sales Buy tickets in advance here During the festival, tickets are available from both entrances and the Centre for Folk Arts. From the entrances, you can only purchase that day's day ticket or evening ticket. Tickets for other days and the week ticket can be purchased from the information desk at the Centre for Folk Arts.
Lost and found During the festival, the discovery point is located in the Music High School's info desk. After the festival you can ask for lost property at the festival office, tel. 040 170 1966. More valuable lost property will be delivered to the Kaustinen Police Station.
Accommodation Family accommodation is available through the festivals. Accommodation is available at the Music School from 9.00-21.00. The telephone number for the Pelimanni accommodation is 040 573 9275 and for family accommodation 040 170 1968. In addition, accommodation in Kaustinen and the surrounding area is available from a number of providers. Contact information is available at our information desk.
Narikka the festival has two cloakrooms: the instrument cloakroom and general cloakroom. The cloakroom is located in the Fiddler's Square, and musical instruments are not allowed in. Open from 10 am to 8 pm. The cloakroom is subject to a charge, with an entry fee of €5.
Programme The handbook is sold at the gates for €2. The full programme can be found on the festival website.
ATMs There is no ATM in the festival area. The nearest ATM is located in the centre of Kaustinen, inside K-Market Kaustinen, and is open during the store's opening hours. Another ATM is located in the outer wall of the S-Market.
Parking From the centre of Kaustinen, signposts will direct you to the festival area. The parking areas are marked with P1-P5 signs, traffic controllers will guide you to the right places.
Pro Kaustinen ry is an event production organisation established in 2010 to organise the Kaustinen Folk Music Festival. It consists of three cultural associations from Kaustinen (Kaustisen Nuorisoseura ry, Kaustisen Näppärit ry and Kaustisen Pelimanniyhdistys ry).
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Day ticket entitles you to attend all events mentioned in the programme from morning to evening and night. This includes all events at the Festival Area, as well as those at Kallioklubi, Maunon makasiini, and the concerts in Kaustinen-sali! Those who purchase a day ticket do not need a separate evening ticket.
Performers' Cloakroom (Soitinnarikka) is located at the Music High School. The instrument cloakroom entrance is via the Music High School's courtyard entrance. The instrument cloakroom is free for performers. The general cloakroom is located at Pelimannitori and does not take instruments. The general cloakroom is a paid service.
Taxis päivystävät Pelimannitorilla. Kaustisen Taksin puhelinnumero on 040 767 7004.
Storage at Photography is allowed in the festival area.
Smoking The festival is smoke-free. Smoking is allowed only in designated areas.
Security A security manager is responsible for security and order control in the festival area. First aid is available at the secondary school. The general emergency number is 112. In case of problems, please contact the nearest steward.
Photography A team of official photographers will be capturing the atmosphere in Kaustinen. 📸 Footage shot in the area may be used in the marketing and communications of the Kaustinen Folk Music Festival and its partners. If you do not wish to appear in the photos, please let the photographer know and avoid the cameras. We also encourage you to capture your own Kaustinen experience and share photos and videos on social media. Use the hashtag #KaustinenFMF and tag us @kaustinenfmf
Toilets The festival area includes indoor pools and bajamas. Invalid WCs are located at the Music High School, the Secondary School and the Folk Art Centre.
Taking the environment into account Please take your rubbish to the bins provided. Campsites and accommodation packages have their own rubbish points. Make sure your empty bottles go to the glass collection or bottle return points in shops.
Opening hours
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Gates from 9.00 a.m. until late depending on the programme
Ticket sales
At gates klo 09:00 - (Only tickets for that day and weekly tickets)
Folk Art Centre ticket sales / info Mon-Sat 9:30 AM - 9:00 PM (all day tickets, weekly tickets and weekend tickets)
(Centre for Folk Art open Mon-Thu 9:30 AM - 9 PM, (until the end of the Kaustinen Hall concert), Sun closed.)
Info
At the Music High School from Monday 3:00 PM to Sunday 6:00 PM (open 24 hours a day.
Party yard info 10 am–8 pm.
Folk Art Centre information 9:30 AM to 9 PM.
Musician agency (Music high school) Sun 12.00-18.00, Mon-Sat 9.00–21.00
Performer Reception (Music High School) Sat 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM, 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Accommodation reception (Music Academy) Sun 12:00 PM - 9:00 PM, Mon-Sat 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Reception for staff and volunteers On Sundays 12.00-16.00 and 18.00-21.00, Monday-Saturday 9.00-19.00
Invitation reception Mon-Sat 9.00-19.00
Press office (Music High School) Mon-Sat 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Performers' Cloakroom (Soitinnarikka) Mon-Sat 08.00-02.00, Sun 8.00-12.00
General cloakroom 11-20
First aid (Secondary school) Mon 3.00 PM–12.00 AM, Tue–Sat 10.00 AM–12.00 AM, Sun 10.00 AM–4.00 PM
Children's Tent Mon 16.30-17.30, Tue 10.00-19.00, Wed 10.00-19.15, Thu 10.00-19.15, Fri 10.00-19.45, Sat 10.00-19.30
Children's Play Tent Mon 16.30-17.30, Tue-Sat 10.00-19.00
Basar Mon 15.00-22.00 and Tue-Sat 10.00-22.00.
Secondary school outlets Mon 15.00-22.00 and Tue-Sat 10.00-22.00, unless otherwise stated
Restaurants see restaurants
Presentation and sales points
Middle School
Yläkoulun myynti- ja esittelypisteet ovat avoinna ma 15–22 ja ti-la 10–22, ellei toisin mainita.
Folkshop
Alan suurin valikoima levyjä ja nuotteja sekä muuta kirjallisuutta. Avoinna ma 17–21, ti-la 12–21
Siirtolaisuusinfo
Kysy, kerro siirtolaisista. Keski-Pohjanmaan Kulttuuriliitto ry esittelee ja kerää paikallista, maakunnallista ja kansainvälistä siirtolaisuustietoa.
National Costume Clinic
Neuvontaa kansallispukuasioissa sekä kansallispukujen välitystä.
Brages dräktbyrå / Bragen pukutoimisto
Kansallispukuihin tarvittavia tuotteita kuten silkkihuiveja, sukkia ja muita pieniä tuotteita sekä tekemispaketteja virkattuihin ja neulottuihin osiin.
Leppävirran soitinverstas
Käsityönä valmistettuja laadukkaita ja hyvin soivia yksilöllisiä kanteleita.
Kronqvist Leif Ab
Jousisoittimia, jousia ja varaosia.
Taidesoitinpaja J-P Lilja
Käsin rakennettuja uniikkeja kansansoittimia.
Viulumo Alpert & Kallinen Oy
Jousisoittimia ja uusien soittimien suunnittelua ja kehittämistä.
Artrinki
Kaustislaisia käsitöitä vauvoista vaareihin ja murkuista mummuihin.
Taito Keski-pohjanmaa ry
Taito Craft Shop -myyntinäyttelyssä on runsaasti tekemisen ideoita, hyvää tekevää käsityötä, koruja, keskipohjalaistuotteita ja käsityödesignia ympäri Suomen. Lisäksi työnäytös eri käsityötaidoista ti–la klo 16–18. Avoinna ma 15–21, ti-la 11–21
Basar
Open Mon 15-22 and Tue-Sat at 10-22.
Johanna K. Design
Veikeät kotimaiset neuleet ulkoiluun ja arkeen luomusertifioiduista materiaaleista.
Huivien aikaan
Luonnonmateriaaleista valmistettuja mekkoja, monenlaisia huiveja, pikkulaukkuja ja neuleita.
Luonteva Tmi Latvala
Käsityönä Vetelissä valmistettua luonnonkosmetiikkaa koko perheelle.
Kauniston taidelasi
Monenlaisia käsityötuotteita lähialueelta, mm. koruja, neuleita ja tekstiilejä.
The Lumous Story
Laadukkaita käsin tehtyjä suomalaisia kivikoruja.
Artesanias Colibre
Alkuperäisväestöä tukevaa käsityötä Boliviasta, Etelä-Amerikan sydämestä. Reilun kaupan käsityöt perheomisteisilta pienompelimoilta.
Hiekkakakku Tmi
Hiekkakakku valmistaa käsityönä värikylläisiä koruja sekä pieniä sisustustuotteita kuten keramiikkakukkia saunan kiukaalle.
Teikkutar
Kauniit korut arkeen ja juhlaan sinulle Teikuttaresta.
Minna Suuronen
Pellava vaate-ja asustemallisto. Mekot, tunikat, housut, hameet, paidat, hatut, huivit ym.
Natural Beauty Shop Finland Oy
Suomessa valmistettua, laadukasta luomukosmetiikkaa ja reilun kaupan käsitöitä Itä- ja Länsi-Afrikasta.
Mithu Oy
Nepalilaisten pientoimijoiden käsityönä valmistamat aarteet: vaatteet, asusteet ja soittimet.
Joy of everyday life / Idealahjat Ky
Laadukkaat keittiö- ja kattaustuotteet kotimaisesta puusta sekä erilaiset neulojan välineet ja kestävät teräskorut.
Folk Arts Centre
Lipunmyynti ja info, avoinna klo 9.30–21.00. Suomen kansansoitinmuseo ja Kansanmusiikki-instituutin myymälä.
Festival Yard Stage
Many different shops and introduction stands.
Festival shop
on juhlien oma tuotemyymälä, josta löytyy paitoja, rintanappeja, pipoja, kangaskasseja kuin muutakin pientä festivaalitavaraa.
Kaustisen kunta
Kaustisen kunnan esittelypiste
Kaustinen sub-regional unit
Kaustisen seudun esittelyä erilaisia aktiviteettejä hyödyntäen.
Hyvinvointikeskus Pajalan Korjaamo
Perinnehoitoja: jäsenkorjausta, hierontaa ja akupunktiota.
Living heritage and Kaustinen
Kaustinen fiddle-palying tradition was listed on Unesco Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in December 2021. The recognition is important for the area's heritage and it also increases the whole folk music and dance field's respect and sicnificance in Finland and worldwide.
Kaustinen Folk Music Festival is naturally the best place to get to know the living heritage in forms of music, dance and storytelling. The whole village is playing and dance performances can be watched at many of our venues.
In addition to the Kaustinen region's own tradition, the celebrations will see and hear about the best cultural heritage phenomena from all over Finland and the world. The festivals have been able to visit Unesco-listed sites such as the Polish Spycimierzin kto the tradition of the man's carpet, Latvian Suiti minority culture, Lithuanian sutartines singing, Ukrainian borsch soup and Kenyan Isukuti festival tradition.
The Living Heritage programme also includes seminars, workshops, musical lectures, and the Kaustinen ICH Academy lecture series, aimed at students of folk music and cultural heritage, as well as other interested parties, as part of the festivities.
At Kaustinen, practitioners and experts of living heritage from various traditions are brought together to consider, on a practical level, why and how traditions are preserved. The activity is coordinated at the Living Heritage Point near the Festival Yard, which is open Tuesday to Saturday from 11 am to 6 pm.
Photography
Photography at the festival is welcome! 📸
When sharing your photos on social media, remember to use the hashtag #kaustinenfmf and tag us @kaustinenfmf
Our team of official festival photographers will also be capturing the atmosphere throughout the event.
Photos and videos taken at the festival may be used by Kaustinen Folk Music Festival and its partners for marketing and communications purposes. If you prefer not to appear in photos or videos, please let the photographer know and avoid camera areas whenever possible.
Professional video recording of performances without prior permission from the artist's representatives is prohibited.
Drone The use of drones on or in the immediate vicinity of the festival site is strictly prohibited.
