Now in its fifth year, the Mikkeli Music Festival’s “On the Move!” concert series will continue to bring the music of both familiar and new artists to Mikkeli and the surrounding area.
The diverse program features traditional music, jazz, classical salon music, and vocal music, as well as gems of collaboration across various genres. Performers include traditional musician Jenni Hanikka, jazz pianist Juho Valjakka, and saxophonist Jenni Peltoniemi.
In early July, church concerts in Anttola and Hirvensalmi treated a large audience to moving songs from Karelia and magnificent melodies from Vienna, performed by award-winning soprano Sanna Matinniemi and pianist Mirva Helske. Sanna Matinniemi, an opera singer originally from Juankoski who is now pursuing an international career, has become well-known in Finland for her success in competitions such as the Kangasniemi Singing Competition, the International Sibelius Singing Competition, and the Timo Mustakallio Competition. Since then, her path has led her to international stages. The Mikkeli Music Festival’s accompanying concert series featured two concerts with very different atmospheres. In one, soprano Sanna Matinniemi and pianist Mirva Helskeen first transported the audience to the poignant memories and landscapes of Karelia, and the next day, to the heart of Vienna’s glorious musical tradition.
A key supporter of the series is Osuuskauppa Suur-Savo, with whose support the following events will take place. August 1 at 12:00 p.m., the Music Festival’s free Pre-Festival Concert at Stella’s Star Square. This spectacular showcase of diverse musical genres will begin with a preview of the evening’s concert by the stars of the opening concert, Angelika Klas and Henrik Sandås, followed by an overview of the entire Music Festival program.
Following the interview segment, the festival’s artistic director, conductor Erkki Lasonpalo, and the artists of the “On the Move” events—Jenni Peltoniemi, Juho Valjakka, and Jenni Hanikka—will join artistic forces. The program will feature songs related to the festival week’s lineup as well as the artists’ own performance sets.
From August 2–8, the Stella Shopping Center’s market square will host morning events featuring topical discussions and musical performances by artists from the festival’s evening concerts. Elisa Suominen will host the morning events. Free admission.
This summer, the Mikkeli Music Festival will also be held at the Akseli Shopping Center. At the Mökkelifest in early July, traditional musician Jenni Hanikka performed, and on July 25, the shopping center will host Skidifest, an event for children. Children (and why not adults, too?) are invited to participate and make music in a music workshop led by Jenni Peltoniemi, a music educator and saxophonist known from the Mikkeli Music Institute’s music classes.
On July 18 and 19 at 1:00 p.m., as is customary, musicians from the Mikkeli Music Festival will perform at the opening ceremonies of the St. Michel Ravien event days. Jenni Peltoniemi and Juho Valjakka will take the stage during the performance.
On Friday, July 24, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., jazz pianist Juho Valjakka and singer Riikka Keränen will perform at Landhaus Kekkola, creating an atmospheric evening with gems of film music. Singer Riikka Keränen and pianist Juho Valjakka, two of the most impressive up-and-coming Finnish jazz artists, will arrive at Landhaus Kekkola in July to perform classic film scores as well as some lesser-known gems. Keränen’s soulful voice, Valjakka’s refined musicality, and the artists’ captivating and skillful ensemble playing come together in the duo’s jazz-infused interpretations of timeless classics by Henry Mancini and Michel Legrand, among others.
On July 31 at 1:15 p.m., the music takes to the water as the M/S Aino sets sail for Astuvansalmi. The cruise will feature Jenni Hanika’s performance Roots and Wings. The cruise departs from Varkaantaipale, which can also be reached via a bus shuttle organized by M/S Aino’s captain, Otto Ravantti, from the Mikkeli travel center.
During the main event week, on August 3 at 6 p.m., music will be featured at Bistro Holvi’s “Jazz x Classical” themed evening, with performances by saxophonist Jenni Peltoniemi and pianist Juho Valjakka. The themed evening will feature a delightful selection of pieces by well-known jazz composers (including Dave Brubeck and Billy Stayhorn) influenced by classical music, jazz-infused interpretations of classical saxophone works (including Dmitri Shostakovich and Jean Francaix), as well as Valjakka’s own colorful compositions. The concert’s beautiful melodies are further enhanced by captivating improvisations and intriguing electronic effects.
In 2026, violinist Elsa Repo and cellist Juhana Juutilainen will serve as the Mikkeli Music Festival’s young summer musicians, performing at senior care facilities throughout the summer with the support of the festival’s main partner, LähiTapiola Savo-Karjala.
Performances outside Mikkeli’s city center are organized year-round with support from the EU-co-funded Veejj́akaja Leader project. The Finnish Cultural Foundation also supports the work of the artists in the On the Move 2026 series of accompanying concerts.
Some events are free, while others have reasonably priced tickets. For more details and a full list of all “On the Move!” accompanying concerts from the program!
20.7.2026
The Mikkeli Music Festival's Young Talent concert on 5 August 2026 brings together the Brass Academy and the Young Piano Academy in a joint performance. The first half of this concert, presented in partnership with the regional co-operative, features breathtaking virtuoso piano works, while the second half showcases a brass ensemble of young musicians performing memorable themes from films and video games, specially selected to appeal to younger audiences. Holders of the S-Etukortti loyalty card are entitled to discounted tickets at €39 / €19.
Read more16.7.2026
For many years, Osuuskauppa Suur-Savo has been a long-standing principal partner of the Mikkeli Music Festival. As part of its 110th anniversary celebrations, the partnership between the festival and Osuuskauppa Suur-Savo offers co-op members a special discounted concert experience on 5 August, as well as free admission concerts at the Stella Shopping Centre's Star Square from 1–4 August.
Read more16.7.2026
The Mikkeli Music Festival's traditional daily opening events will once again take place at Stella Shopping Centre's Star Square every day throughout the festival week.
Read more8.7.2026
Now in its fifth year, the Mikkeli Music Festival’s “On the Move!” concert series will continue to bring the music of both familiar and new artists to Mikkeli and the surrounding area.
Read more7.7.2026
The opportunity to perform with the Philharmonia Orchestra under the baton of Santtu-Matias Rouvali has brought together a massive festival choir at Mikkeli Parish Church.
Read more9.6.2026
The Mikkeli Music Festival's long-term partners, Osuuskauppa Suur-Savo and Suur-Savon Osuuspankki, will once again offer memorable musical experiences to the residents of Mikkeli in 2026
Read more10.4.2026
Corporate partners play a vital role in securing the continuity of cultural events, especially now as public funding has decreased during challenging economic times. Mikkeli Music Festival’s newest main partner is LähiTapiola Savo-Karjala. This long-standing collaboration is now expanding in terms of both visibility and events.
Read more24.2.2026
Ukranian and Finnish music are in the focus in our winter concert. The concert is part of the City of Mikkeli anniversary celebrations.
Read more4.2.2026
Suur-Savon Sähkö and Mikkeli Music Festival start the cooperation at 2026 festival. The main purpose is to support regions culture and local expertise.
Read more27.8.2025
Vuoden 2025 festivaaliviikon 12 konserttia ja 56 oheistapahtumaa keräsivät festivaalille yhteensä 5 050 myytyä lippua ja 23 700 kuulijaa, mikä on festivaalin kaikkien aikojen ennätys. Vertailun vuoksi vuonna 2024 oli 65 tapahtumaa, 4600 myytyä lippua ja 18 600 kuulijaa. Vuonna 2025 Mikkelin Musiikkijuhlien muusikot esiintyivät lisäksi Jukolan viestin 35 000 osallistujalle, mitä ei ole huomioitu tilastossa.
Read more25.8.2025
Pictures at the Exhibition -concert was played at Mikkeli Music Festival on August 8, 2025. The sold out concert was recorded and is available at YLE until September 5.
Read more4.8.2025
Mikkelissä nähtiin jo kaksi vuotta sitten, mikä voima elokuvamusiikilla voi olla. Kaupunki täyttyi Harry Potter -faneista ja oheisohjelmasta ja houkutti paikalle myös rooliasuihin pukeutuneita konserttivieraita. Molemmat konsertit myytiin loppuun ja yleisö osoitti suosiotaan seisten. Tänä vuonna vuorossa ovat Lord of the Rings -konsertit ja odotukset ovat vähintään yhtä korkealla.
Read more31.7.2025
Mikkelin Musiikkijuhlien perinteiset päivänavaukset pidetään tuttuun tapaan kauppakeskus Stellan Tähtitorilla joka päivä klo 12.
Read more29.7.2025
Emeritusprofessori Eero Tarasti on esitellyt konserttien ohjelmistoja Mikkelin Musiikkijuhlilla jo yli 35 vuotta - voidaan siis puhua jo legendaarisista esittelyistä.
Read more18.7.2025
The Biblical Songs concert on August 5 offers a moment of calm and comfort for those in need of solace.
Read more10.7.2025
On Saturday, August 9th at Mikaeli, the Philharmonia Orchestra will sweep audiences into the epic fantasy world of J.R.R. Tolkien. With the majestic force of a full symphony orchestra, soaring suites from Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films will come to life, conjuring the most iconic, haunting, and heroic themes ever written for the screen. Prepare for a cinematic symphonic adventure unlike any other.
Read more9.7.2025
Christoph Koncz tells us what makes Mozarts Requiem and the special sound of Vienna different from others. He will conduct Requiem at Mikkelin Musiikkijuhlat on August 10, 2025.
Read more1.7.2025
Musiikkijuhlat levittäytyy ympäri Mikkeliä ja Etelä-Savoa. Lue lisää On The Move -ohjelmistostamme.
Read more15.4.2025
Festivaaliviikon tuottajan ja KYLÄSSÄ-hankkeen tuottajan tehtävät avoinna Mikkelin Musiikkijuhlilla
Read more28.2.2025
XXXVI Mikkelin Musiikkijuhlat ammentaa 2.-10.8.2025 ohjelmistossaan legendaarisista taruista ja eepoksista. Näistä meille suomalaisille tärkein on kansallis-eepoksemme Kalevala, joka kuuluu Musiikkijuhlien 2.-10.8.2025 ohjelmistossa monin tavoin.
Read more16.1.2025
XXXIV Mikkelin Musiikkijuhlilla esiintyy 2.-10.8.2025 kansainvälisiä ja kotimaisia taiteilijoita, sinfoniaorkestereita ja kuoroja huippukapellimestareiden johdolla. Kesän 2025 ohjelmiston inspiraationa ovat legendaariset tarut, eepokset, säveltäjät ja teokset.
Read more15.11.2024
Mikkelin Musiikkijuhlien konserttivieraat käyttävät konsertissa käydessään konserttilippujen oston lisäksi keskimäärin kaksisataa euroa alueen palveluiden ja tuotteiden ostoon. Konserttivieraiden kokonaiskulutuskysynnän kasvu oli vuoden 2024 juhlaviikon aikana suorina ostoina alueen palveluihin ja tuotteisiin keskimäärin noin 860 000 euroa.
Read more14.8.2024
Katso konserttitallenne Sinfonia Orkesteri Vivon ja Orkester Nordenin konsertista Lahdesta!
Read more9.8.2024
Teemme tutkimusta Mikkelein Musiikkijuhlien aluetaloudellisista vaikutuksista, sekä vaikutuksista Mikkelin elinvoimaan. Tutkimuksella on suuri merkitys festivaalin suunnittelu- ja kehitystyölle.
Read more8.8.2024
Mikkelin Musiikkijuhlat avaa lipunmyynnin osaan 2025 konserteista
Read more30.7.2024
Musiikkijuhlat lähestyy! Listasimme viimehetken tärpit festivaaliviikolle ja onnistuneeseen vierailuun Mikkelissä.
Read more29.7.2024
Ticket office opening hours and locations.
Read more29.7.2024
Mikkelin Musiikkijuhlat tuovat tänäkin vuonna laajan kattauksen kiinnostavia puheenvuoroja ja upeaa musiikkia Kauppakeskus Stellan Tähtitorille!
Read more15.7.2024
Musiikkijuhlien On the Move-kiertue tarjoaa erilaisen musiikkikokemuksen eri puolilla Etelä-Savoa 29.7.-1.8. välisenä aikana. Kyseessä on festivaaleilla esiintyvän lontoolaisen Philharmonia Orchestran virtuaalitodellisuus kokemus, jossa pääsee kokemaan konsertin sen parhailta paikoilta eli orkesterin kanssa lavalta.
Read more29.6.2024
Tutustu artikkelista Osuuskaupan asiakasomistajan konserttietuihin, S-ryhmän vapaapääsyisiin On the move! -konsertteihin sekä Mikkelin Musiikkijuhlien aikana palveleviin ravintoloihin.
Read more14.6.2024
On the Move! -konserttisarja tuo jälleen Mikkelin Musiikkijuhlat lähelle kuulijoita Mikkelin seudun kartanoihin, ravintoloihin ja kauppakeskuksiin. Tarjolla on tuttuun tapaan laadukasta musiikkia pääosin ilmaisissa tapahtumissa Pieksämäeltä Ristiinaan. 2024–2026 Veej’jakaja- & Leader-hanketuen saanut On the Move! toimii Mikkelin seudulla kulttuuritoimijoita ja -yhteisöjä yhdistävänä voimana.
Read more1.5.2024
Suuret orkesterit, kuorot ja taidokkaat solistit tarjoilevat sekä tuttua että tuoretta taidemusiikkia.
Read more26.3.2024
The 4.8 concert will feature game music for all tastes, from new to retro games. Come and jump into the amazing soundscapes of game music!
Read more25.3.2024
Mikkeli Music Festival Summer 2024 offers a rich array of vocal art, from Waltteri Torika's church concert to Iris Candelaria's song recital to the Philharmonia Orchestra's opera gala conducted by Ville Matvejeff.
Read more26.1.2024
The Mikkeli Region Tourism Service awarded the Mikkeli Music Festival with the Tourism Achievement of the Year 2023 award for its phenomenal renewal and success. This recognition, together with the Festival of the Year 2023 title, demonstrates how a cultural event can have not only great artistic value but also great regional economic significance.
Read more29.12.2023
Mikkeli Music Festival has appointed Master of Arts Mirva Helske as Festival Director. Helske will start her employment 1 January 2024.
Read more15.12.2023
In addition to the previously released orchestral concerts, the Game Music Collective and chamber musicians from Finland and the UK will be in the spotlight. The theme of the festival is Ode to Joy.
Read more17.8.2023
Erinomaisesti sujunut yhteistyö saa jatkoa.
Read more2.8.2023
Illan solistina esiintyy sopraano Miina-Liisa Värelä
Read more31.7.2023
Vuonna 2024 Mikkelin Musiikkijuhlat soivat eurooppalaisille arvoille.
Read more29.7.2023
Conductor Aliisa Neige Barrière and composer Luukas Hiltunen awarded 1 000 € and a concert in 2024 festival
Read more28.7.2023
Free entrance
Read more27.4.2023
25.4.2023
3.4.2023
Unfortunately, the concert Moments of Love is cancelled.
Read more17.3.2023
Mikkeli Music Festival has appointed Mikko Leppänen, Bachelor of Economics, Master of Music, as the Festival Director of the Music Festival.
Read more15.3.2023
Sääntömääräinen vuosikokous pidetään tiistaina 28.03.2023 klo 16.00 Konsertti- ja kongressitalo Mikaelissa, Sointukatu 1, Mikkeli.
Read more21.2.2023
Mikkeli Music Festival has appointed conductor Erkki Lasonpalo as the artistic director of the Music Festival. Lasonpalo takes over the position immediately, and the artistic director's term of office extends to the end of the 2026 Festival Week.
Read more16.2.2023
The international Scan Magazine praises the festival full of concerts of international top musicians in its article.
Read more9.2.2023
Teemu Laasanen, who has been the festival director of the Mikkeli Music Festival since 2018, will fully take over the management of the company he has founded, MusicFairyTales MFT, of which he is the CEO.
Read more28.11.2022
The Board of Finland Festivals has named the Mikkeli Music Festival as Festival of the Year 2023.
Read more28.11.2022
The theme of summer 2023 is Licence to Love. Love is explored in concerts from different perspectives.
Read more24.11.2022
Founded thirty years ago, the Mikkeli Music Festival has renewed its operating model this summer and is preparing to grow rapidly in the coming years.
Read more7.10.2022
Mikkeli Music Festival signed a four-year cooperation agreement with Philharmonia Orchestra of London
Read more