The Odysseus Festival, dedicated to adventurous music, will be experienced this summer in a new format in Helsinki’s Torikorttelit district on July 15–17. Over the course of three evenings, music will be heard at free events held on three different summer terraces. The event is produced in collaboration by We Jazz and Helsingin Kaupunkitilat.
Having quickly risen among Helsinki’s key summer music events, the Odysseus Festival will be held in 2026 on the summer terraces of Helsinki’s Torikorttelit district from July 15–17. During its previous five years of operation, the genre-free and adventurous Odysseus was held on the island of Lonna and at Korjaamo. Now, for the first time, it will be presented entirely as a free event, produced this summer through a collaboration between We Jazz and Helsingin Kaupunkitilat Oy.
The Odysseus concert series opens on Wednesday, July 15, at the Torikorttelit summer terrace, featuring the powerful and independent-minded Finnish hip-hop artist TÄYDET, who was booked for Odysseus last summer on an exceptional two-year agreement, as well as Islaja, known as a pioneer of experimental music. On Thursday, July 16, Odysseus arrives at the terrace of El Fant, where acclaimed American guitarist Shane Parish will perform his praised Autechre Guitar concert. The concept adapts the music of the British group Autechre for acoustic guitar, presenting the melodic aspects of the beloved electronic music pioneers in a new light. The evening opens with a solo performance by saxophonist Heli Hartikainen, who has just released a new album. The third Odysseus evening takes place on Brasa’s summer terrace on Friday, July 17. Performing at Brasa will be Grande Mahogany, bringing their unique Sitting In For Lidl Paris! Live concept to the stage, and Felix Alexander Lybeck, a respected name in introspective singer-songwriter music.
“Last year was the most successful in Odysseus Festival’s history, but at the same time also challenging in a certain sense, as our funding base experienced sudden upheaval amid broader cultural policy turbulence during the production process,” says the event’s artistic director Matti Nives. “For this year, we looked for a new idea, and it emerged very organically through excellent cooperation with Helsingin Kaupunkitilat. This is a ‘breathing year’: we are not growing or expanding the event, but focusing even more on community and gathering around music without commercial objectives. Admission is free and everyone is welcome!”
Odysseus continues along the ideological path it has previously developed and remains committed to non-hierarchical artist promotion. The event places all performers on equal footing and does not identify anyone as a “headliner.” Font size remains the same throughout the lineup, and listings are presented either alphabetically or chronologically according to the schedule. All participating artists are equally important—in other words, all are “headliners.” This same philosophy also includes avoiding the use of “country codes.” All artists have their own backgrounds and musical and cultural influences. These are expressed through the music itself and by engaging with each artist’s story, rather than through emphasizing nationality. The natural diversity of music is a richness that fosters surprise and discovery. Another part of the event’s philosophy is being open to all ages, aiming to give children and young people the opportunity to experience a different kind of musical event.
The Odysseus Festival is a genre-free festival of adventurous music produced by Helsinki-based We Jazz Oy and is now being held for the sixth time. The event began on the island of Lonna in 2021 and moved to Kulttuuritehdas Korjaamo in summer 2024. It will now be experienced for the first time in Helsinki’s Torikorttelit district as a collaboration between We Jazz and Helsingin Kaupunkitilat Oy.
“The festival has a certain exclusivity and luxury about it, but fortunately lacks elitism. Its small scale is appealing.”
– Rumba
“Odysseus Festival's programming is admirably non-hierarchical.”
– The Wire
Odysseus Festival
Helsinki, July 15–17, 2026
Instagram: @odysseusfestival
Wed 15 July – Torikorttelit Summer Terrace
18:30 Islaja
20:00 TÄYDET
Thu 16 July – El Fant Coffee & Wine Bar
18:30 Heli Hartikainen
20:00 Shane Parish “Autechre Guitar”
Fri 17 July – Brasa’s Back Terrace
19:00 Felix Alexander Lybeck
20:30 Grande Mahogany “Sitting In For Lidl Paris! Live”