Helsinki is getting a major new summer music festival, with SANTANA, TOTO, KOOL & THE GANG, RAG’N’BONE MAN and HURTS among the international stars heading to Finland for two days of blues, rock, soul and pop by the Baltic Sea.
Finland’s summer festival calendar is about to welcome a significant new arrival. Kaivopuisto Blues will make its debut in Helsinki on 30th – 31st July 2027, bringing more than 20 artists from Finland and around the world to one of the Finnish capital’s most attractive waterfront settings.
And this is no tentative first step. The initial line-up features an impressive collection of established international names, including CARLOS SANTANA, TOTO, KOOL & THE GANG, HURTS and RAG’N’BONE MAN, alongside a strong contingent of Finnish and international blues artists.
With a programme spanning generations and genres, the festival is aiming to offer something different from the conventional summer rock festival: a weekend built around accomplished musicianship, familiar songs, blues heritage and the enduring appeal of live performance.
For music fans planning a trip to Scandinavia next summer, Helsinki has just become a destination worth watching.
SANTANA AND TOTO BRING TWO MAJOR MILESTONES TO HELSINKI
The announcement’s biggest attractions are two artists with extraordinary musical legacies, both arriving in Helsinki with significant anniversaries to celebrate.
Carlos Santana, the Mexican-American guitarist whose fusion of Latin rhythms, blues and rock has made him one of the most distinctive musicians of his generation, is scheduled to bring his 80th-birthday celebratory tour to Kaivopuisto Blues.
Santana’s music has always occupied a space of its own. His expressive guitar playing, fluid Latin percussion and ability to move between blues, rock and jazz have given him a catalogue that reaches far beyond any single genre. For a festival with blues at its heart, his appearance is an especially fitting headline attraction.
Then there is Toto, the American rock band celebrating 50 years since its formation in 1977.
Few groups can match Toto’s combination of technical precision, polished songwriting and enduring radio appeal. Tracks such as Africa, Rosanna and Hold the Line have remained part of the international rock and pop landscape for decades, finding new audiences long after their original releases.
The band’s 50th-anniversary tour adds another layer of significance to its Helsinki appearance. For longtime fans, it represents an opportunity to hear a remarkable catalogue performed live; for younger audiences, it is a chance to experience a band whose influence stretches across rock, pop and funk.
Together, Santana and Toto give the new festival two substantial international draws, with very different musical identities but a shared emphasis on musicianship and longevity.
FROM FUNK AND SOUL TO CONTEMPORARY BRITISH POP
The programme extends well beyond its headline guitar acts.
Kool & The Gang bring a formidable catalogue of funk, soul and R&B to Helsinki. With songs including Celebration, Get Down on It and Ladies’ Night, the American group has spent decades turning live performances into communal celebrations.
British duo Hurts offer a contrasting sound, combining electronic pop with dramatic arrangements and a more atmospheric sensibility. Their presence adds a contemporary European dimension to a programme otherwise rich in classic rock and blues influences.
Rag’n’Bone Man brings another distinctive voice to the bill. The British singer-songwriter has built his reputation around a powerful, soulful delivery, drawing on blues, gospel and contemporary soul. His music sits comfortably within the broader musical outlook of Kaivopuisto Blues, connecting traditional influences with modern production and songwriting.
The result is a line-up that does not rely exclusively on nostalgia. While many of the artists have long-established careers, the musical range creates opportunities for different audiences to find something that speaks to them.
A SERIOUS COMMITMENT TO BLUES
For all the international star power, blues remains central to the festival’s identity.
One of the most intriguing bookings is Blues Royalty, a supergroup bringing together American blues musicians Kenny Neal and John Primer, alongside drummer Tony “T.C.” Coleman and bassist Russell Jackson, both known for their work with B.B. King.
Their combined experience makes this one of the most interesting specialist bookings on the programme. Rather than treating blues as a supporting genre, the festival is giving established practitioners a prominent place alongside artists from the wider world of rock and popular music.
American blues guitarist and singer D.K. Harrell is also confirmed. A younger representative of the tradition, Harrell has attracted attention for his guitar work and vocal style, helping to carry classic blues influences into a new generation.
The Danish band Thorbjørn Risager & The Black Tornado adds another international perspective, drawing on blues, soul, rock and roots music.
Meanwhile, The Amy Winehouse Band brings the music associated with the late British singer to the stage, offering a live celebration of a catalogue that remains deeply influential.
Swedish-American singer-songwriter Eagle-Eye Cherry completes another part of the international picture, bringing his melodic songwriting and alternative-pop sensibility to the Finnish capital.
FINNISH ARTISTS TAKE THEIR PLACE ON THE INTERNATIONAL STAGE
The festival also makes room for an impressive selection of homegrown Finnish talent.
Guitarist Erja Lyytinen is one of the country’s best-known blues artists internationally, recognised for her accomplished slide guitar playing and energetic live performances. Her inclusion is a natural fit for an event that wants to showcase the breadth of contemporary blues.
Honey B & The T-Bones bring a distinctive Finnish take on blues and roots music, while Wentus Blues Band add the experience of a group with deep connections to the international blues circuit.
Another major Finnish name on the programme is SF Blues, featuring Dave Lindholm, Pepe Ahlqvist, Jukka Gustavson, Jarmo Nikku, Mikko Löytty and Harri Ala-Kojola. The collective brings together musicians with long histories in
Finnish blues, rock and rhythm music, making its appearance particularly appealing to domestic audiences.
The line-up also includes Emma Salokoski Duo, Emilia Sisco & The Northern Lights and Ina Forsman.
Forsman, in particular, has developed a strong reputation within the European blues and soul scene, while Emilia Sisco’s soulful approach brings a contemporary voice to the programme.
With Finnish musicians appearing alongside international names, Kaivopuisto Blues has an opportunity to create something more meaningful than a collection of imported headline acts. It can also provide a showcase for the depth and diversity of Finland’s own music scene.
Organisers have indicated that the programme will expand further, with additional artists expected to be announced later in 2026.
A WATERFRONT SETTING WITH AMBITIONS BEYOND THE MUSIC
Location is an important part of the festival’s proposition.
Kaivopuisto is one of Helsinki’s best-known parks, situated close to the sea in the southern part of the city. Its open festival grounds have previously hosted major public events, concerts and air shows, making it a natural setting for a large outdoor music gathering.
For visitors, the appeal is straightforward. Helsinki offers a compact, accessible city experience, while the park provides an open-air setting close to the waterfront.
The festival also intends to place considerable emphasis on hospitality. Organisers have highlighted plans for a varied food offering, wine importers and premium services designed for both private visitors and corporate guests.
A key feature will be a planned two-storey Platinum VIP area with capacity for 400 people. The intention is to offer a more elevated festival experience alongside the general admission environment.
That emphasis could help distinguish Kaivopuisto Blues from more conventional events, particularly for visitors who value good food, comfortable surroundings and hospitality as much as the music itself.
It also reflects a wider trend in the live entertainment industry, where festivals increasingly look to create a complete experience around their performances rather than concentrating solely on the stage programme.
A NEW FESTIVAL WITH SOMETHING TO PROVE
Launching a major festival is never straightforward, particularly in a market that already has established summer events competing for audiences, attention and travel budgets. Kaivopuisto Blues is entering that landscape with a clear proposition: internationally recognised artists, a broad musical programme and a waterfront location in Finland’s capital.
Promoter Kalle Keskinen has said the event has been in development for around three years. The original plan was to stage it earlier, but a change to the headline artist’s touring schedule resulted in the festival moving to summer 2027. That delay has ultimately produced a programme built around two major musical milestones, with Santana’s 80th-birthday celebrations and Toto’s 50th-anniversary tour giving the launch edition a distinctive focus.
The challenge now is to turn those names into a successful event and establish Kaivopuisto Blues as a fixture on Finland’s summer calendar.
The early line-up offers a promising starting point. It combines familiar international favourites with specialist blues performances and Finnish artists who deserve a wider audience.
THE VERDICT: HELSINKI DESERVES A PLACE ON THE SUMMER FESTIVAL MAP
Kaivopuisto Blues arrives with the sort of initial line-up that should appeal to fans of classic rock, blues, soul and quality live musicianship.
Santana and Toto provide the headline attraction, but the wider programme is what gives the event its character. From Kool & The Gang’s funk and soul to Rag’n’Bone Man’s powerful vocals, the blues credentials of Erja Lyytinen and the experience of Blues Royalty, there is considerable variety across the two days.
The setting adds another reason to consider a visit. A festival in a waterfront Helsinki park offers something different from the sprawling fields and remote campsites associated with many European summer events.
With more artists still to be announced, Kaivopuisto Blues is one to watch as the 2027 season takes shape. If the organisers deliver on their ambitions, this new Finnish festival could become an attractive addition to the European summer music calendar.
If you are looking for a place to stay for Kaivopuisto Blues 2027 then check out our interactive accommodation map below. Just add in the dates you want to stay and you will be able to see what’s available nearby.
If you also need to find a flight to get you there, try our flight search feature below! Simply add in your home and destination city, select the dates you want to travel and search away!
