Category: News

From 22–29 July 2026, the festival invites you to a week of musical encounters under the theme Across the Atlantic. This year’s edition draws inspiration from North and South America, bringing it into dialogue with the European classical music tradition.

The theme is reflected in both the repertoire and the featured artists. This year’s composer-in-residence is the Korean-American composer Nicky Sohn, an internationally acclaimed voice in contemporary classical music. Her expressive and energetic works form a red thread throughout the festival.

The festival opens on 23 July with the concert From the New World. Vaasa City Orchestra, conducted by Johannes Gustavsson, with soloists Jan-Erik Gustafsson and Anna-Liisa Bezrodny, will perform a world premiere alongside Dvořák’s beloved Ninth Symphony. The final concert, Romeo & Juliet, on 29 July features the Ostrobothnian Chamber Orchestra under the direction of Kasmir Uusitupa. The programme includes works by Prokofiev, Vaughan Williams and Barber, as well as Nicky Sohn’s lyrical piano concerto If You Love for Beauty.

From Baroque to Soul, from Churches to Club Stages

This year’s programme offers a rich musical diversity, including:

• Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons in the Fest Concert with violin virtuoso Alissa Margulis
• String quartets by Samuel Barber, Dvořák and Stenhammar
• A meditative Late Night Bach in Vaasa Orthodox Church
• Tango and opera classics in Carmen y María de Buenos Aires
• Folk music, klezmer and ragtime in the relaxed club concert Roots
• A soul evening with returning hometown artist Michael Bleu and Laitakaupungin orkesteri
• A unique collaboration between Vasas flora och fauna and Artemis Wind Quintet

In addition, the festival presents the family performance A Day at the Circus!, masterclass concerts featuring tomorrow’s stars, and performances in distinctive venues such as the Car and Motor Museum and the staircase of Vaasa City Hall.

The festival is EcoCompass-certified for the fourth consecutive year and is committed to sustainable practices. Free buses depart from Vaasa City Hall to several concerts, some including bilingual guided tours. Free childcare is also available during selected concerts.

Five concerts with the price of three!

The serial ticket includes 5 optional concerts at Korsholm Music Festival.

The serial ticket must always be changed into a seated ticket in the online store before the concert by using the code in the serial ticket.

Give in to the charm of music with Korsholm Music Festival’s affordable festival pass! After buying a pass you get one ticket for each concert in your email.  You can find the festival pass in the webshop under any of Korsholm Music Festival’s concerts.

Please note! The festival pass includes the 16:00 show of A Day at the Circus! In Michael Bleu sings Soul Classics the placenumber for a passholder is in the hall, not in the balcony. Of Rodeo & Rhapsody the concert in Vähäkyrö is included in the pass. If you would like to go to the concert in Kurikka instead, please contact info@kmf.fi 

In 2026 you can experience Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, Prokofiev’s powerful Romeo and Juliet, and Dvořák’s beloved 9th symphony “From the New World” in Ostrobothnia’s bright summer nights as part of Korsholm Music Festival. Secure your seat now and get a considerable discount!

A limited amount of ticket for the 20% discounted Early Bird price in all price ranges to Korsholm Music Festivals three biggest concerts:

Opening Concert: From the New World

Gala Concert: Four Seasons & NOX

Final Concert: Romeo and Juliet

The festival is proud to be EcoCompass-certified for the fourth consecutive year. For us, sustainability is not an add-on – it is an integral part of how we plan and deliver the festival.

We continuously work to reduce our ecological footprint. For example, we provide train tickets to all participating artists residing in Finland in order to reduce the need for air travel. During the festival week, we primarily serve vegetarian food to our artists and staff. We also strive to reduce unnecessary consumption by limiting the use of printed materials and other disposable items such as paper.

This year’s special environmental theme is the responsible use of AI. We recognize that AI technology consumes significant resources and therefore aim to use it thoughtfully – not out of habit. At the same time, we want to support human creativity, which lies at the very heart of our work.

Organizing a sustainable festival involves many small and large decisions. For us, it is a long-term commitment to continue developing and taking responsibility – for the environment, for culture, and for the future.

The childcare service introduced last year will continue during the 2026 festival.

We offer free childcare during the Fest Concert and the concert with Vasas flora och fauna. While parents enjoy the performance, children can play and do crafts in a safe and welcoming environment.

The childcare is supervised by professional child carers. Places are limited and advance registration is required.

Please register in advance via email: info@kmf.fi.

This year, the festival continues its popular initiative of offering free bus transport to several concerts taking place outside Vaasa.

All buses depart from Vaasa City Hall. On each concert page, you can find information about which concerts are included and the exact departure times.

On three of the departures, a guide will join the journey. During the trip, you will either receive an introduction to the music you are about to hear or learn fascinating historical facts about the destination. The concert experience begins already on the bus.