The series of festivals begins with one of the summer’s highlights: Sinfonia Lahti performing in Mukkula Event Park on June 5th. A charming group singing concert will also be held in conjunction with this event. The park concert is part of the City of Lahti’s 120th-anniversary year.
Mukkula Event Park, located at the tip of Ritaniemi by Lake Vesijärvi, offers a magnificent setting for the summer program.
“The ambiance of Mukkula Event Park is a unique combination of beautiful lake scenery and a touch of history with its manor park. The area works perfectly for festivals of many different music genres and for target audiences of all ages,” says Inkeri Määttä, Event Manager for the City of Lahti.
After the park concert, the festival streak continues with Soundfest, aimed at young adults, and XXL Mössö, whose program consists of top Finnish acts for a more mature taste. In July, the urban festival offerings diversify with Headland Festival, Rooster Fest, and Sibeliustalo Summer. In August, Kaupungin äänet (Sounds of the City) and the new Vauhti kiihtyy (Speeding Up) festival will be held.
The next generation of festival-goers is also growing within these music events. Summer Break by Soundfest offers music experiences without age restrictions. Headland NEXT GEN is a substance-free and age-limit-free side event for young people, and Headland KIDZ, held in the market square, offers activities for the smallest members of the family.
Top-tier Sports and Experiential Exercise Events
Lahti’s event facilities, accessibility, and the unique terrain of Salpausselkä offer exceptional opportunities for organizing sporting events on a Finnish scale.
“In Lahti, the same event venues and areas are utilized for many different sports year-round, which is globally unique,” Määttä reminds us.
In addition to the world-renowned built event infrastructure, the diverse terrain offers athletes and other participants true physical challenges, while also providing recovery amidst the calming natural landscape.
The top names in Finnish athletics will be seen at Lahti Stadium when Motonet GP comes to the city. In addition, the Finnish Athletics Federation’s (SAUL) SM-competitions will bring athletes of all ages to compete for supremacy.
The terrains of Lahti and its surrounding areas also provide a setting for nature-oriented sports. The international trail running event Ultra X Finland and the Spartan Race obstacle course race European Championships will utilize the paths, terrain features, and lake landscapes of the Salpausselkä UNESCO Global Geopark in their race routes.
The event-filled summer culminates in August when Dinner Under the Lahti Sky invites city residents to eat together at a communal table. In honor of Lahti’s 120th anniversary, 120 tables will be set in the lush Pikku-Vesijärvi Park for dinner guests.
Highlights from Lahti’s Event Summer:
Sinfonia Lahti and Lahti120 Park Concert: June 5th
Soundfest: June 6th–8th
Summer XXL Mössö: June 13th–14th
Rooster Fest: July 4th–5th
Sibeliustalo Summer: July 9th–30th
Headland Festival: July 25th–26th
Kaupungin Äänet (Sounds of the City): August 1st–3rd
Vauhti kiihtyy (Speeding Up): August 15th–16th
Dinner Under the Lahti Sky: August 30th
Ultra X: May 24th–25th
Motonet GP: June 11th
Suur-Hollola-ajo (Harness Racing Event): June 27th–29th
SAUL Finnish Athletics Championships: August 8th–10th
Lahti Historic Rally: August 14th–16th
Spartan Race Obstacle Course Race: August 22nd–24th