The third major programme release of the Oulu Music Festival continues the Jazz Finland 100 theme launched by the Opening Concert with four additional jazz concerts. Alongside the celebration of 100 years of Finnish jazz, the programme also offers a folk-music time journey from the roots of the kantele tradition to a future coloured by robotic kanteles.
At the album release concert of Quartet Ajaton, tangos, Sibelius works, folk melodies and cattle-calling cries rearranged in a bold new way will resonate, dance and churn. The ensemble’s mysterious instrumentation is likely unique in the world: Mia Simanainen (vocals), Henrik Sandås (bandoneón), Kari Ikonen (Moog synthesizer) and Aino Juutilainen (cello).
Kalmari Quartet is a brand-new supergroup formed by guitarist Kalle Kalima, pianist Aki Rissanen, bassist Antti Lötjönen and drummer Markku Ounaskari. These internationally renowned musicians made their debut in spring 2025 and will now perform in Oulu for the first time.
In a joint concert by multi-instrumentalist Maija Kauhanen and the Oulu-based duo hakosalo_tuohino, both the traditional Saarijärvi kantele and the modern robotic kantele will be heard. The concert promises tradition, contemporary folk music and futuristic improvisation in the stunning, cathedral-like AaltoSiilo. The concert is part of the Ikiaika project produced by Village Anthems, which belongs to the programme of Oulu2026 European Capital of Culture.
Experimental colours are also brought to the festival by Kiri Ra! The trio of Lau Nau (Laura Naukkarinen), known for her shimmering soundscapes, saxophonist Linda Fredriksson, and Swedish pianist Matti Bye blends post-classical music, ambient folk and spiritual jazz in a cinematic style.
On the closing day of the Oulu Music Festival, jazz will sound on a grand scale – just like in the Opening Concert. Acclaimed and award-winning saxophonist and composer Mikko Innanen presents his big band production together with the Oulu All Star Big Band and singer Sanni Orasmaa, conducted by Ville Vannemaa.
In honour of the jubilee year of Finnish jazz, a Jazz Finland 100 series ticket is also available. The series ticket includes the four jazz concerts mentioned above as well as a 40% discount on the Opening Concert. Read more below!
The annual city festival Oulu Music Festival celebrated its 35th anniversary last March, but its roots go back to the 1980s and the Madetoja Weeks event. The 2026 programme of the Oulu Music Festival has been curated by the festival’s artistic directors, soprano Mari Palo and pianist, Moog artist and composer Kari Ikonen.
The festival will take place 9–22 March 2026.
Tickets and full published programme
Ticket sales links are listed below by event.
In addition to single-event tickets, series tickets are available until 15 February 2026. Read more about the tickets and the concerts included:
- Jazz Finland 100 Series Ticket: www.ticketmaster.fi/event/298411360
- Chamber Music Series Ticket: www.ticketmaster.fi/event/880758682
- Madetoja Series Ticket: www.ticketmaster.fi/event/281286634
Oulu Music Festival 2026: The Formula of Love – In the Footsteps of Arvo Pärt’s Works (Exhibition)
Mon 9 Mar – Sun 22 Mar 2026
Oulu Music Centre
→ Tickets: Free admission
Oulu Music Festival 2026: Between Two Notes – Opening Concert of the Arvo Pärt Exhibition
Mon 9 Mar 2026 at 18:30
Madetoja Hall, Oulu Music Centre
→ Tickets: Free admission
Oulu Music Festival 2026 – Opening Concert:
Sointi Jazz Orchestra: Jazz Finland 100 + Hassan Maikal
Tue 10 Mar 2026 at 18:30
Madetoja Hall, Oulu Music Centre
→ Tickets: www.ticketmaster.fi/event/1135365421
→ Note also the Jazz Finland 100 Series Ticket or the Madetoja Season Ticket
Oulu Music Festival 2026 x Flow Circus:
The Weird and Wonderful Circus Cabaret With a Twist
Wed 11 Mar 2026 at 19:00
Valvesali Hall, Cultural Centre Valve
→ Tickets: www.ticketmaster.fi/event/99049715
Oulu Music Festival 2026: Yona x Oulu Symphony – The Dream I Wake Up To
Thu 12 Mar 2026 at 18:30
Madetoja Hall, Oulu Music Centre
→ Tickets: www.ticketmaster.fi/event/1062413515
→ Note also the Madetoja Season Ticket
Oulu Music Festival 2026 x Flow Circus:
The Weird and Wonderful Circus Cabaret With a Twist
Thu 12 Mar 2026 at 19:00
Valvesali Hall, Cultural Centre Valve
→ Tickets: www.ticketmaster.fi/event/1863047548
Oulu Music Festival 2026: Sitkovetsky Trio
Fri 13 Mar 2026 at 18:30
Madetoja Hall, Oulu Music Centre
→ Tickets: www.ticketmaster.fi/event/1450499893
→ Note also the Chamber Music Series Ticket or the Madetoja Season Ticket
Oulu Music Festival 2026: Quartet Ajaton
Sat 14 Mar 2026 at 19:00
Valvesali Hall, Cultural Centre Valve
→ Tickets: www.ticketmaster.fi/event/756341704
→ Note also the Jazz Finland 100 Series Ticket
Oulu Music Festival 2026: Kalmari Quartet
Sun 15 Mar 2026 at 18:30
RioLive
→ Tickets: www.ticketmaster.fi/event/868371937
→ Note also the Jazz Finland 100 Series Ticket
Oulu Music Festival 2026: Ikiaika – Maija Kauhanen & hakosalo_tuohino
Mon 16 Mar 2026 at 19:00
AaltoSiilo
→ Tickets: www.ticketmaster.fi/event/788339423
Oulu Music Festival 2026: Édith Piaf – La vie en rose
Finnish National Opera and Ballet stream
Tue 17 Mar 2026, discussion at 16:30, performance at 17:00
Star Movie Theatre
→ Tickets: www.elokuvateatteristar.fi/elokuvat/omj-2026-x-ooppera-baletti-edith-piaf-la-vie-en-rose
Oulu Music Festival 2026: Kiri Ra!
Tue 17 Mar 2026 at 19:00
RioLive
→ Tickets: www.ticketmaster.fi/event/1304069304
→ Note also the Jazz Finland 100 Series Ticket
Oulu Music Festival 2026: Sometimes Too Much, Always Too Little
Wed 18 Mar 2026 at 18:30
Pohjankartano Hall, Pohjankartano School
→ Tickets: www.ticketmaster.fi/event/1541916496
Oulu Music Festival 2026: Sturle Dagsland (NO)
Wed 18 Mar 2026 at 20:00
RioLive
→ Tickets: www.ticketmaster.fi/event/955551239
Oulu Music Festival 2026 x Oulu Symphony x Turku Philharmonic:
Into Another Dimension
Thu 19 Mar 2026 at 18:30
Madetoja Hall, Oulu Music Centre
→ Tickets: www.ticketmaster.fi/event/1548252924
→ Note also the Madetoja Season Ticket
Oulu Music Festival 2026: The Ostrobothnians
Finnish National Opera and Ballet stream
Fri 20 Mar 2026, discussion at 16:30, performance at 17:00
Star Movie Theatre
→ Tickets: www.elokuvateatteristar.fi/elokuvat/omj-2026-x-ooppera-baletti-pohjalaisia
Oulu Music Festival 2026: Time, Silence and Sound
Fri 20 Mar 2026 at 18:30
Banquet Hall, Oulu City Hall
→ Tickets: www.ticketmaster.fi/event/1737755313
→ Note also the Chamber Music Series Ticket
Oulu Music Festival 2026: Secret Signs
Sat 21 Mar 2026 at 16:30
Banquet Hall, Oulu City Hall
→ Tickets: www.ticketmaster.fi/event/736074438
→ Note also the Chamber Music Series Ticket
Oulu Music Festival 2026: OASBB x Mikko Innanen x Sanni Orasmaa
Sun 22 Mar 2026 at 17:00
RioLive
→ Tickets: www.ticketmaster.fi/event/1171940895
→ Note also the Jazz Finland 100 Series Ticket
Oulu Music Festival 2026: Melodia Intima
Sun 22 Mar 2026 at 19:00
Banquet Hall, Oulu City Hall
→ Tickets: www.ticketmaster.fi/event/272332153
→ Note also the Chamber Music Series Ticket