Pirkanmaa’s July is packed with energy and entertainment, offering a total of six events. Kicking off the month are the historical event Iron Age Birckala and the music festival Aitoon Kirkastusjuhlat, both taking place during the first weekend of July.
The celebration of music continues all month long: KesäVirratSoi offers both classical and lighter tunes, Sastamala Gregoriana immerses listeners in early music, and Tammerfest celebrates modern hits. At the end of the month, the Workers’ Music Festival in Valkeakoski presents a wide-ranging lineup of performers.
The exhibitions of Finlayson Art Area and Mänttä Art Festival also remain open throughout July.
Iron Age Birckala 5–6 July, 2025
Iron Age Birckala, previously known as Pirkkala Viking Fair, is inspired by the Viking era as well as the archaeological discoveries made in the Tursiannotko area. The event takes place in the Reippi area in Pirkkala on 5–6 July, and entrance to the event is free and open to people of all ages.
The programme features workshops, battle shows, traditional crafts, guided tours, expert lectures and ancient music, all suited to the theme of the event. The event workers, volunteers and performers wear period-appropriate clothing, and only handmade goods crafted from natural materials – such as clothing, jewellery, ceramics, and natural cosmetics – are sold at the market.
As part of the festival’s side programme, the folk metal event Birckala’s Iron Night will be held at Pirkkala Hall (Pirkkala-sali) on Saturday, 5 July at 18. The concert features three folk-influenced black metal bands, headlined by Vermilia, known for blending beautiful, raw and melancholic vocals with dark and heavy black metal.
More info: https://birckala.fi/en/
Aitoon Kirkastusjuhlat 5–7 July, 2025
Set amidst grain fields in the idyllic village of Aitoo in Pälkäne, Aitoon Kirkastusjuhlat – or “Kirkkarit” – is the most rural rock and pop festival of the summer. The three-day event features top Finnish entertainers, including Apulanta, Portion Boys, Klamydia, KAJ, and Mirella, performing under the midsummer night sky.
On Sunday, a daytime celebration begins at 13, featuring a volunteer fire brigade parade, awards ceremony, rescue demonstrations, and children’s programming. On Monday, festival goers can test their dance skills at the afternoon dances at 12–16. Every evening, the venue’s downstairs disco plays hits from past and present.
More info: https://www.kirkkarit.com/
KesäVirratSoi 11–13 July, 2025
KesäVirratSoi is the largest summer event in Virrat, offering top-tier concerts and free events in both classical and popular music. “We provide unifying musical experiences that promote a sense of community and well-being,” says artistic director and cellist Hannu Kiiski.
The festival opens on Friday, 11 July, at the parish hall, where musicians preview concert highlights, and the new executive director Johanna Rinta-aho and host Tero Autero are introduced.
This year’s programme includes soul queen Johanna Försti’s A Song to Sing concert, a Young Stars showcase, a relaxed beach terrace gig by 16th Avenue, and coffee concerts in local care homes. The event culminates in a Sunday evening concert at Virrat Church, featuring the KesäVirrat Sinfonietta conducted by Ruut Kiiski. Of the ten events, three are ticketed, and the rest are free.
More info: https://kesavirratsoi.fi/
Sastamala Gregoriana 16–20 July, 2025
Sastamala Gregoriana, Finland’s largest early music festival, returns for its 29th edition with the theme London – Water Music, concluding its six-year series Cities upon the Waters. The festival presents 17 concerts and side events, showcasing masterpieces of early music, rare instruments, and world-class performers.
The lineup features both international stars and top Finnish early music artists performing works by John Dowland, George Frideric Handel, Nicholas Ludford, Henry Purcell, William Byrd, and Thomas Tallis. The concerts are held in Sastamala’s medieval churches, offering an authentic setting for early music.
This year is especially significant as long-time artistic director Michael Fields, an English lutenist, steps down after nearly 20 years. His contributions will be celebrated throughout the week, and the festival’s new artistic director, beginning in 2026, will be introduced on the opening day.
More info: https://www.sastamalagregoriana.fi/
Tammerfest 17–19 July, 2025
Tammerfest will once again take over Ratinanniemi Park in Tampere from 17–19 July. The city festival brings together true Manserock fans, pop music lovers, and live music enthusiasts of all genres to experience unforgettable moments of live music.
This year, Tammerfest celebrates its 30th anniversary with a special lineup featuring some of the biggest names in Finnish music. Among the anniversary performers are Erika Wikman, Eppu Normaali, Ellinoora, J. Karjalainen, Haloo Helsinki!, and Popeda. In addition to the main festival park, various side events will take place around the city.
More info: https://tammerfest.fi/
Workers’ Music Festival 24–27 July, 2025
The Workers’ Music Festival is a warm-hearted event held in the heart of Valkeakoski, set against the unique backdrop of the UPM Tervasaari paper mill and Myllysaari Museum grounds. The festival features both top-name artists and alternative music, emphasising intergenerational unity and offering programming for all ages across genre boundaries.
This year’s performers include 70-year-old punk icon Pelle Miljoona, kicking off his anniversary tour, and his peer, pop legend Kake Randelin. Younger festival audiences will be entertained by artists such as Robin Packalen, who has released new Finnish-language music, as well as Vesta, who brings fresh energy to the Finnish pop scene. Family-friendly events include a circus performance by Säilättäret and a children’s concert by Sukkalukko.
During the event, there will also be a wide range of side activities, such as sing-alongs, local art, societal panel discussions, ballroom dancing, and the Finnish National Air Guitar Championships.
More info: https://www.musarit.fi/info-2/
Coming in August:
29.7.–2.8.2025 Mänttä Music Festival, Mänttä-Vilppula
31.7.–2.8.2025 Tapsan Tahdit (music festival), Nokia
31.7.–3.8.2025 Pentinkulman päivät (literature festival), Urjala
4.–10.8.2025 Tampere Theatre Festival, Tampere
15.–16.8.2025 Blockfest, Tampere
21.–24.8.2025 Fest Afrika, Tampere
Programme subject to change.
Article photo: Workers’ Music Festival 2024. Photographer: Teemu Syrjänen.
