Everyone can participate in the festival!
At the Kaustinen Festival music or dance is not only a performative act but it underlines participatory approach by offering the audience opportunities in joining the music-making and dancing.
- Master folk singer Jussi Asu
The 58th Kaustinen Folk Music Festival will be held on 7.-13.7.2025.
The Kaustinen Folk Music Festival serves a hand-picked diverse sample of Finnish Folk Music and Folk Dance, as well as an annual program presenting international ensembles and traditions.
The artists at the festival vary from traditional Finnish solo performers to contemporary folk bands and international acts. The programme includes folkdance, some Finnish popular artists, children´s music, multi-artistic performances besed on folklore and participatory acts. The festival plays a crucial role in the preservation and promotion of various fields of heritage from different regions of Finland and all over the world. The Festival has a unique family-friendly and cozy atmosphere, which is worth experiencing.
The theme of the Kaustinen Folk Music Festival 2025 is MigrationThe purpose of the theme is to showcase and celebrate the many ways in which migration and the movement of people for various reasons around the world have influenced cultures, traditions, and the identity of communities.
The regional theme is Tavastia.
The Centre for the Promotion of Folk Music and Folk Dance (CEFF) theme 2025 We together! will also be reflected in the festival programme. ..
Welcome to Kaustinen – just as you are!
Equality and inclusion matter to us. Let’s create a safe and welcoming festival together – by being kind, respectful, and looking out for one another. We do not tolerate harassment or discrimination of any kind.
We follow the Safer Space principles at the festival – please, read more on the Safer Kaustinen page.
Pelimannit - pelimannihaku
Pelimanni performers; musicians, singers and dancers are the heart of the Kaustinen Folk Music Festival. Warmly welcome to the 58th festival 7th to 13th of July 2025.
The festival is committed to the Safer Place policy. For more information, visit Kaustinen.net/info.
The call for Pelimanni performers for the 2025 festival has closed.
Application timetable for Pelimanni performers
- The call for Pelimanni performers has closed 31st of January at 5 pm.
- The invoice of the processing fee will be sent via email to the group’s contact person in January, but no later than February 8th. (No invoice for international groups).
- The application will be rejected if the invoice is not paid by the due date (14th of February).
- If the group is not selected as an official festival performer, the fee will be refunded.
- Details of the group members must be provided at the beginning of the year. Instructions will be sent to the contact person.
- The contact person will know in April if the group is being accepted to perform at the festival. It is the responsibility of the contact person to pass on the information to their group.
- The details of the dates and times of performances will be sent to the contact person of the accepted groups in May - June.
- If your application is missing an audio sample or video link, please send it to us as soon as possible to email above, pelimannit@kaustinen.net.NOTE! Please, upload the video on YouTube and add the link to this form (will not be published). Audio and /or video samples will speed up the approval process and help with the possible placement of the performances. nopeuttavat hakuprosessia sekä helpottavat mahdollista esiintymissijoittelua.Pelimannimajoituksen varaaminen avautuu kevään aikana. Tiedotamme siitä Pelimannikirjeessä sekä nettisivuillamme.
Group Registration Fee:
Group registration fee covers the costs of processing and reviewing applications. Our goal is to ensure sufficient, high-quality, and successful performance opportunities for all selected artists at the upcoming festival. If your group is not selected as an official festival performer, the fee will be refunded. Applications will be canceled if the invoice is not paid by the due date.
The registration fee is based on the group size:
1–4 people: €20 / group
5–12 people: €40 / group
13–25 people: €80 / group
Over 25 people: €120 / group
There is no registration fee for international (from outside Finland) groups or groups according to a regional theme.
he home base of the regional theme group is within the regional theme area, or at least half of the program comes from the regional theme area, and the group wants to represent the region.
Performers and groups approved as an official performer will receive:
- Performer wristband which entitles entrance to the festival area and all events on all festival days.
- Free music and dance workshops, seminars and a guaranteed relaxed atmosphere with thousands of friends.
- Shared / dormitory kind accommodation for a low price
- Performer meal for discount price at the Festival restaurant.
- Free instrument storage.
More details about the conditions and benefits will be announced during the spring in the Pelimanni performers letters (Pelimannikirje).
Guestions will be answered from the festival office!
pelimannit@kaustinen.net
tel. +358 40 3582 198
Performer Info
Pelimanni performers
Pelimanni performers; players, dancers and singers are the heart of Kaustinen Folk Music Festival.
A Warm Welcome to the Heart of Folk Music! Join us in celebrating the joy of summer at the 58th Kaustinen Folk Music Festival, held from July 7th to 13th, 2025. Discover an unforgettable lineup of music, culture, and togetherness in the happiest days of the summer!
The festival is committed to the Safer Place policy. For more information, visit Kaustinen.net/info.
Kansantanssiryhmät - Jaettuna parempi
For Finnish Folk Dance groups
Hae mukaan ”Jaettuna parempi” -ohjelmaosioon 31.1.2025 mennessä ja mahdollista ryhmällesi esiintymiset Kaustinen Folk Music Festivalin kiihkeässä sykkeessä. Mukaan voivat hakea kansantanssiryhmät, joilla ei ole omaa yhtyettä ja ovat valmiita hyppäämään yhteistyöhön muusikoiden kanssa.
Ohjelmisto, jolla voi hakea mukaan tulee olla olemassa oleva kokonaisuus (6-10 min), jonka kappaleita on mahdollista tarvittaessa vaihtaa ja sovittaa Jaettuna parempi -yhtyeen kokoonpanolle sopivaksi.
Application time has ended.
Tarkemmat tiedot löytyvöt sivulta Kaustinen.net/jaettuna-parempi
Festivaalibussi kulkee koko viikon!
Bussilla pääset vaivattomasti majapaikasta festivaalialueelle ja takaisin – ilman parkkihuolia.
Näyttämällä pelimanniranneke kuljet maksutta
Kaustinen–Veteli ja Nikula -Pelimannitori -linjoilla.
Kokkolaan kyyti maksaa 8 € / suunta.
UUTTA: Tänä vuonna mukana myös pikkubussi Halsualta, joka kulkee Tastulan, Vintturin ja Köyhäjoen kautta Pelimannitorille.
Tastulasta, Vintturilta ja Köyhäjoelta pääset ilmaiseksi pelimannirannekkeella.
Halsualta matka maksaa 8 €.
Aikataulut ja reitit löytyvät nettisivuilta Kaustinen.net/festivaalibussi/
How to Check In and Get Your Wristband
Pelimanni performer – Welcome to the Kaustinen Folk Music Festival!
When you arrive at the festival, please come via the Music High School (Musiikkilukio) to collect your performer wristband and sort out any accommodation matters.
Please take note of the following before your arrival:
Check-in:
- At the performer reception, you will receive your personal performer wristband and the festival programme.
- Note! No new names will be added to the group list at the reception. Any changes (e.g. substitutes) must be reported in advance by the group’s contact person. If you're unsure whether your name is on the list, please contact your group contact as soon as possible.
Opening hours:
- If you know you’ll arrive outside performer reception opening hours (Sun 12–18, Mon–Sat 9–21), please contact the reception by phone or email. In that case, your wristband can be reserved for pickup at the info desk with valid ID.
- If you arrive unexpectedly outside opening hours and no wristband has been reserved for you, the info staff can verify your access rights based on separate instructions and a valid ID.
Others than performers:
- Companions, family members, and helpers are warmly welcome to the festival – please note that unless a special agreement has been made in advance, they will need to cover their own entry.
- Special guardian passes must be arranged in advance through groups contact person. Please also note any discounted tickets announced separately!
Below is a map of the Music High School to help you find your way.
Office Opening Hours
During the festival, two information points, a performer reception desk, and an accommodation office are available to assist folk musicians and all festival visitors.
The Music High School Info Desk is open 24/7
from Monday, July 7 at 12:00 until Sunday, July 13 at 12:00.
The Festival Yard Info Point is open
Tuesday, July 8 – Saturday, July 12 from 10:00 to 20:00.
Performer Reception at the Music High School is open July 6–12, 2025:
Sunday: 12:00–18:00
(We kindly ask performers from Kaustinen and nearby areas to pick up their wristbands on Sunday if possible.)
Monday: 9:00–10:00 and 12-21
Tuesday–Saturday 9:00–21:00
Accommodation Office The Accommodation Office at the Music High School is open July 7–13, 2025:
Monday: 9:00–21:00
Tuesday–Saturday: 9:00–21:00
Sunday: 9:00–15:00
If you arrive outside of the listed opening hours, please let both the performer reception and accommodation office know in advance. Thank you!
Key Contacts for Pelimanni Performers During the Festival
Performer Reception esiintyjavastaanotto@kaustinen.net , tel. +35840 130 4514
Accommodation Office pelimannimajoitus@kaustinen.net , tel. +35840 573 9275
Info info@kaustinen.net , tel. +35840 170 1966
First Aid tel. 040 707 9869
Stage Information and Area Map
Kaustinen Folk Music Festival features 26 unique stages in the festival park – each with its own character. The happiest days of summer extend from the festival grounds to the warm-hearted meeting places around the village, and pelimanni performers even bring joy to the elderly at the local care home.
Explore the stages at Kaustinen.net/lavat (opens in a new window)
A detailed map is available at: Kaustinen.net/kartta-2025
Same in English
Using Your Own Sound Equipment – IMPORTANT!
On the Kaustinen festival grounds, there are radios used by authorities as well as frequency-coordinated wireless microphones and in-ear monitors reserved for official festival use.
Because of this, using your own wireless microphones, instrument transmitters, or in-ear systems is strictly prohibited unless you have received an assigned frequency from the festival’s RF coordinator.
You are allowed to use your own sound system in Kalliokrouvi and Wiljami.
Please remember to set up and take down your equipment within your scheduled performance time. Let’s make sure every performer gets to start their set on time.
Thank you for your cooperation!
Pelimanni – Hungry?
Even the most dedicated pelimanni performer needs food throughout the day to stay energized for performances and festival fun – and to enjoy a smooth journey to the next gig. During the festival (July 7–13), you can get a pelimanni discount on food and coffee by showing your performer wristband at the following places:
Festival Restaurant at the Primary School
Breakfast ti-su klo 8-10.00
Hot meals ma-la klo 11.00-20
Marjaananville's Cafe under the glass canopy at the Upper School
Mon 19:00–00:00
Tue–Sat 10:00–00:00
The Festival Arena food alley offers a variety of tasty options – open until late into the night. Be sure to check it out!
Accommodation for Pelimanni performers
Pelimanni Accommodation – For performers accepted as official pelimanni
- Accommodation is always booked separately and is not automatically included for performers.
Kaustinen Folk Music Festival arranges shared pelimanni accommodation in classrooms, gyms, or sports halls. Groups are assigned accommodation based on performance days, group size, and transport needs. Festival buses serve more distant locations.
Price: €25–35 / person / night
- Sports Hall €35, other locations €25
- Accommodation covers the night between performance days.
- Price includes a mattress, blanket, and pillow (more details in the form).
You can book personally or via your group’s contact person.
Booking Accommodation
- The electronic Pelimanni Accommodation form is open (opens in a new window).
- Book by June 15 at 23:59 for yourself or your group.
More information on Pelimanni accommodation
Check out other accommodation options on our website!
After the Festival
Festivaalin jälkeen fiilistelemme ihania keikkamuistoja, ikimuistoisia hetkiä ja yhdessä oloa – mikä sen parempaa!
Muistathan tehdä muistelun lomassa Teoston esitysilmoiutuksen, siinä ei mene kuin hetki ja näin kappaleiden tekijät saavat heille kuuluvat korvaukset. Kiitos!
Tästä linkistä pääset tekemään esitysilmoituksen.
Haluamme myös kuulla, kuinka festivaali sujui pelimannien näkökulmasta. Festivaali kehittyy vuosi vuodelta, ja onkin ensiarvoisen tärkeää saada ensikäden tietoa teiltä esiintyjiltä. Palautekysely lähetetään festivaalien jälkeen yhteyshenkilöille välitettäväksi sekä julkaistaan tällä sivulla. Kiitos jo tässä vaiheessa palautteesta!
Pelimanni performer feedpack 2024
A warm thank you to all the performers; dancers, musicians and singers for the happiest days of summer 2024!
We greatly appreciate your feedback and would like to hear how you thought the festival went. Please send us your feedpack by email to info@kaustinen.net by 31 August 2024.
Master Folk Musicians
The Master Folk Musician, the Master Folk Singer and the Master Folk Dancer (Mestaripelimanni) is a title awarded by the Kaustinen Folk Music Festival to a person who, with his or her traditional skills, abundant repertoire or other significant merits, has promoted folk music or folk dance and promote their pursuit. The Masters have been named since 1970.
Applications for Master Folk Musicians, Dancers and Singers can be sent throughout the year. The applications can be sent to matti.hakamaki@kaustinen.fi or give a call to +358 40 574 1917.
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Artists
The festival program is complemented by concerts completed by folk music and folk dance professionals. All festival guests and enthusiasts will be able to participate in a workshops of many professionals throughout the festival week.
Performers applying for an artist gets paid for their performance. The free-form application can be submitted either by e-mail directly to the Program Director firstname.lastname@kaustinen.net or to artists@kaustinen.net. Offers should be sent during August to December.
NOTE! We get so many artist offers that unfortunately not all posts can be answered. However, all applications will be reviewed, and each potential band or group will be contacted in person. Inriquiries can be made either by email or by phone directly from the Program Director.
Kaustinen Folk Music Festival 2025 – perinteet tien päällä
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Call for Pelimanni performers for 2025 is now open!
Lämpimästi tervetuloa hakemaan Kaustisen 58. festivaaleille pelimanniksi! Pelimannit; soittajat, tanssijat ja laulajat ovat Kaustisen festivaalin sydän. Nyt onkin tullut aika hakea mukaan esiintyjäksi kesän onnellisimmille päiville. Mikäli esität kansanmusiikkia,...