Summer filled with festivals has sadly come to an end, but luckily, there will be more events in autumn! In late September, two events in Tampere will bring back the festival atmosphere: Tampere Flamenco Week and Lost in Music. Later in the season, jazz takes over at the Tampere Jazz Happening, and children’s literature and word art are celebrated at the Kirjalitta Festival.
Tampere Flamenco Week, 18–21 September 2025
The oldest festival dedicated to flamenco in the Nordic countries, Tampere Flamenco Week, brings warmth and rhythm to the darkening autumn evenings. The 2025 theme is Flamenco con Sabor – The Taste of Flamenco, highlighting the richness and variety within flamenco art. The main concert features the Tres de Corazones trio, offering a journey into the depths and playfulness of flamenco as well as its folkloric roots. The trio also performs on another day during the event week, at the Dream Tablao event.
In addition to concerts and nightclubs, the festival offers free activities for all flamenco enthusiasts. Visitors can learn the basics of flamenco dance in the Flamenco ABC workshop and dive into the world of flamenco guitar in the Essentials of Flamenco Guitar discussion. The Family Flamenco Fiesta welcomes audiences of all ages to explore flamenco music and dance.
More info about the event: www.tampereflamenco.com
Lost in Music, 25–26 September 2025
Lost in Music brings together emerging and exciting new artists and bands from across the Finnish music scene, representing a wide range of genres. Curated by new artistic director Lotta Savolainen, the music program showcases a rich selection of rising and noteworthy talents.
At Lost in Music, you might catch your new favorite artist at the beginning of their career, or discover something totally unexpected and fresh. This year, the festival will feature over 50 fantastic acts, including ANI, Asla Jo, Bizi, Edicti, Goldielocks, Louie Blue, and pilvet pilvet.
More info about the event: www.lostinmusic.fi/en
Tampere Jazz Happening, 30 October – 2 November 2025
The 44th Tampere Jazz Happening will showcase top jazz names from both the international and Finnish scenes. Highlights from abroad include Mary Halvorson with her Amaryllis ensemble, and tenor saxophonist James Brandon Lewis with his quartet. Rising saxophonist Tomoki Sanders, and such assemblies as Rob Luft Quartet, and Daniel Erdmann’s Organic Soulfood will also showcase their talents within the event week.
Generations of Finnish jazz meet on stage with performances by jazz veteran Juhani “Junnu” Aaltonen alongside his trio, and a young saxophonist Helmi Antila and her quartet. The program will also feature Olli Ahvenlahti with his new quintet, and Pauli Lyytinen’s nature-inspired work Lehto/Korpi. During the event week, Yrjö and Taimi Awards from the Finnish Jazz Federation, and Yle’s Varjo-Yrjö (“Shadow Yrjö”) Award will be presented. This will be the final edition curated by Juhamatti “Kuhna” Kauppinen, who will retire at the end of 2025. This year also brings a change in venue due to renovations at Tullikamari.
More info about the event: www.tamperejazz.fi/en
Kirjalitta Children’s Literature and Literary Art Festival, 10–16 November 2025
Kirjalitta is a family-friendly festival dedicated to children’s literature and word art, aiming to inspire children and youth to read and write creatively. At Kirjalitta, books branch outside their covers, texts appear in surprising places, and authors, books, and youngsters’ own stories come together. The festival’s core mission is to highlight engaging, participatory, and community-based ways to experience literature.
Now in its 11th year, Kirjalitta’s 2025 theme is Dash into Adventure! The main event takes place on Saturday, 15 November at the Main Library Metso, featuring author visits, fun word art workshops, performances, a children’s book quiz, and a Moomins and Emotions shadow theatre workshop. Throughout the week, children’s and youth authors will also visit many libraries around Tampere.
More info about the event: www.kirjalitta.fi
Cover image: Tiia-Mari Tervaharju, Kirjalitta Festival 2024
