Summer Concerts in Espoo Churches Offer Music for Every Taste

Afternoon Concerts at Tapiola Church Every Tuesday

Tapiola Church continues its beloved Summer tradition with a weekly concert series held every Tuesday afternoon throughout Summer. The "Music After Noon" series has been running for over 30 consecutive years and returns this season with eleven concerts from June 3 to August 12. As in previous years, all concerts begin at 1 PM.

Throughout the summer, the audience can enjoy a variety of inspiring performances by high-level vocalists and instrumentalists. The series concludes on August 12 with a performance by the acclaimed German choir Marburger Kantorei.

All concerts in the Music After Noon series are free of charge. Voluntary donations go to disaster relief efforts organized by the Scouts of Finland and Finn Church Aid through the national Common Responsibility Campaign. Café Valo will be open before and after the concerts.

Music After Noon Series (in Finnish)

Evening Music and Summer Café at Espoonlahti Church

Espoonlahti Parish, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, holds once again the Summer Evening Music series at Espoonlahti Church on June 18, and July 10, each at 6 PM. Concerts are free of charge; programs are available for €10.

On July 18th soprano Saara Rauvala and baritone Jussi Vänttinen together with pianist Jussi Littunen performing in the Songs of My Heart concert take the audience on a journey into Finland’s rich musical heritage, blending emotional art songs with dramatic opera music. The concert features beloved Finnish songs by composers Kaski, Kuula, Madetoja, Merikanto, Rautavaara, Saariaho, and Sallinen.

Before each of the June concerts, a cozy summer café will be open at the church from 5 to 6 PM. Proceeds from the café support the international mission work of the Parish.

Summer Evening Music Series (in Finnish)

“Soiva Kesäkahvila” at Leppävaara Church Brings a Message of Peace

Leppävaara Parish invites you to enjoy music and a relaxed coffee moment at its “Soiva Kesäkahvila” — a summer concert café held on five Wednesdays at 12 noon. The series began on June 11 with Peace and Music without Borders -concert with flutist Oleg Sytienko and pianist Julia Tamminen, who both are originally from Belarus but live in Finland. The remaining concert dates for the series  are June 18, July 9, July 23, and August 13.

After each concert, coffee will be served outside the church. Admission is free, and voluntary donations support Leppävaara Parish’s music ministry.

Soiva Kesäkahvila Concerts (in Finnish)

Urkuyö ja Aaria Festival Concerts in Olari and Tapiola Churches

The renowned classical music festival Urkuyö ja Aaria ((Organ Night & Aria) takes place in various locations this year, as Espoo Cathedral is under renovation. Eight of the festival’s thirteen concerts will be held at Olari Church on the following Thursdays: June 12, June 26, July 3, July 10, July 17, July 24, August 14, and August 21.

Olari Church is located just 300 meters from Niittykumpu metro station and can accommodate over 500 guests.

– Olari Church is ideal for us — it’s a unified space with excellent acoustics and visibility throughout. That’s why we don’t have tiered ticket categories or reserved seating, says the festival’s Artistic Director Tuomas Katajala in a recent article by Kirkko ja Kaupunki.

Tapiola Church will host the Finnish National Opera Choir’s 80th anniversary concert on Thursday, August 7 at 9 PM. Additional festival concerts will take place at Helsinki Music Centre, Ritarihuone, Honkamaja in Espoo, and Tapiola Hall. Most concerts in the Urkuyö ja Aaria series require tickets. For full details and ticket info, visit the festival’s website.

Organ Night & Aria Festival

Other Concerts and Sing-Alongs in Espoo

In addition to these concert series, churches and chapels around Espoo will host individual concerts and communal sing-along events throughout the summer. For the full schedule, visit the Espoo Parishes events calendar.