Helsinki is the perfect music enthusiast's destination with frequent festivals that celebrate the best music in the city. The vibrant scenery paired with entertaining performers is a great place to meet new lifelong friends. Check out a few of Helsinki's top music events.

Helsinki Festival, Kalevankatu

The Helsinki Festival is the largest arts festival in Finland, bringing together music and art fans of all genres. You can enjoy live, classical music performances as well as a Huvila Festival tent. The festival kicks off with the Night of the Arts, which has become a popular local Helsinki tradition. The event will be celebrating its 30th anniversary this summer, with an exclusive all-night celebration in the festival tent. 

The Helsinki Festival also includes the event Art goes Kapakka, a performance and food festival in and of itself that is held in the best cafes, bars and taverns in the heart of Helsinki. This giant festival completes the summer season for many, running from mid-August to the beginning of September.

Deaconness Church, Alppikatu

Espoo Cultural Center, Kulttuuriaukio

The Rock Church, Lutherinkatu

The Auditorium of the National Museum, Mannerheimintie

The Baltic Circle Festival is one of the biggest fall musical celebrations in Helsinki. This festival celebrates international contemporary music from the Baltic and Nordic countries. The event takes place each November, with musical performances occurring all over the city. This year's festival will be at local attractions around Helsinki.

Suvilahti, Kaasutehtaankatu 1

The biggest heavy-metal festival in northern Europe, Tuska Open Air Metal Festival was first held in 1998 and has become a local institution. Each summer, Tuska attracts tens of thousands of metalheads over the course of the three-day event, bringing performers like Apocalyptica, Opeth, Battle Beast, Mastodon and more.

Hietaniemi Beach

Weekend Festival is an electronic dance music event that has grown exponentially since its beginnings in 2012. Because it's become so popular, over the years it has had to change venues from the Luukki Recreational Area to the more recent area of Hietaniemi Beach, closer to the city proper. Now a three-day event attracting over 75,000 people every year, Weekend Festival is nearly always sold out in advance. Visitors can expect to see acclaimed EDM artists like Skrillex, David Guetta, Marshmello, Deadmau5 and more.

Helsinki is also a great travel destination for Rugby and Olympic sports fans. Sports fans will especially enjoy the following sporting attractions.

Hietaniemi Beach

If your idea of a perfect vacation consists of miniature golf, volleyball, basketball or swimming, then you will definitely want to check out the Hietaniemi Area. If you are looking for an exciting adventure, then consider swimming out to the nearby island for a more exclusive sporting experience.

Cable Factory Merikapelihaali, Tallberginkatu

Combine over 30 of your favourite microbreweries and pubs in the Helsinki area and you will get the Helsinki Beer Festival. Whether you are a true beer enthusiast or you are looking for your next great sip, the Helsinki Beer Festival is a must-attend event of the year. The festival is held each April at the Cable Factory Merikapelihaalli.

Kansalaistorin Puisto

The Taste of Helsinki festival is your scene if you enjoy the finer things in life. This festival celebrates gourmet restaurants with access to some of the best dishes from Helsinki's top-rated restaurants. The festival takes place over four days in June each year at the Kansalaistorin Puisto.

You are in for the experience of a lifetime when you choose to attend one of Helsinki's cultural events. Make sure you add these cultural events to your upcoming calendar.

Senate Square 

Running from Dec. 1-22 every year, the Helsinki Christmas Market is the oldest and largest event of its kind in the city. The market features around 140 vendors in little huts, selling handicraft as well as design items for you to pick up as gifts for your loved ones. Because the event is all about relaxation and comfort during the chill of early winter, you can find a food court with mulled wine and other hot beverages, as well as an old carousel in the centre of the market area.

Located all throughout Helsinki 

Walpurgis Night, also referred to as Vappu, is a Saint's Day celebration that includes crackling bonfires and dancing festivities. The event is celebrated all throughout Helsinki on April 30 of each year. The festival is also known as the Christian feast day and many tourists are surprised to learn of its resemblance to Halloween celebrations. Festivities run throughout the night and conclude with a champagne picnic in the morning.

Apollo Live Club, Mannerheimintie 

Every June, the city of Helsinki transforms into a destination with brightly colorued decorations and streets lined with performing characters. The Samba dancers dance their way down the street in parade form, encouraging every attendee to have a great time. This festival often coincides with Helsinki Day. An opening and closing ceremony are held at the Apollo Live Club. 

Linnanmäki Amusement Park

Helsinki's legendary amusement park, Linnanmäki, hosts the Carnival of Light every year to celebrate the closing of the summer season. The park sets up incredible light displays to show off the rides, games and booths in a new way. The festival's highlight is the fireworks display, making sure that visitors of every age can enjoy the seasonal light show.

Messukeskus Expo and Convention Center

Slush in Helsinki is the world's leading startup and tech event, helping to create and boost the next generations of entrepreneurs. Held every year in the late fall, Slush is a nonprofit movement that works to connect startup founders with potential investors. They've even expanded their reach to now hold events around the world.

Whether you are looking to experience the local culture of the city or you want to create long-lasting memories with your friends, you are sure to find the perfect event to enjoy in Helsinki. Regardless of the time of year, there is always something exciting and fun going on in the city of Helsinki.