Jazz-Espa 2026
The annual Jazz-Espa festival will take place in Helsinki’s Esplanade Park from July 27 to August 1, 2026. Throughout the week, the free concert series will feature a diverse lineup of top-tier Finnish jazz ensembles. The Jazz in Finland 100 Anniversary Year will be highlighted through various supplementary events, including a jazz-themed walking tour, film screenings and a jam session.
Organized by the Finnish Jazz Federation for the 27th time, Jazz-Espa showcases the most relevant names in contemporary jazz. Concerts begin on weekdays at 13:30, 16:00 and 17:15. On Saturday, August 1, there will be two concerts at 14:00 and 15:15.
Jazz-Espa opens on Monday, July 27 at 16:00 with a Jazz in Finland 100 panel discussion, exploring how activism and themes of peace are reflected in the art and professional identities of today’s jazz musicians. Opening night music will be provided by a group led by guitarist Lauri Kallio (known from Pambikallio).
The Jazz in Finland 100 Anniversary Year will also be celebrated beyond the park. On Wednesday, July 29, cultural history researcher Janne Mäkelä will lead a walking tour diving into the century-long history of Finnish jazz in Helsinki: who were the creators, who kept the swing alive, and what evidence of this history remains? Pre- and post-festival events include jazz-themed screenings at cinema Kino Regina on Sundays July 26 and August 2. On Friday, July 31, the festivities move from Jazz-Espa to the Musiikkitalo Terrace, where the evening continues with a performance by the Oiva Haapamäki Quartet followed by open jam sessions.
All Jazz-Espa concerts are free, for all ages and accessible. The concerts are weather dependent. Due to limited capacity of the walking tour, pre-registration will open on May 13 at 14:00 at www.jazzespa.fi.
Jazz-Espa is produced by the Finnish Jazz Federation with support from the City of Helsinki. Partners include the Savoy Theatre, Pop & Jazz Conservatory, Concert Centre Finland, Restaurant Kappeli, Musiikkitalo and Kino Regina.
Jazz-Espa 2026 at the Espa Stage
Monday 27.7.
16:00 Jazz in Finland 100 discussion: Jazz and peace
17:15 Lauri Kallion yhtye
Tuesday 28.7.
13:30 Chico Matada
16:00 J TIKKA
17:15 Eero Savela Quartet
Wednesday 29.7.
13:30 Arto Ikävalko Trio
16:00 Mikko Pettinen Why Not
17:15 Pepa Päivinen Peacepipe
Thursday 30.7.
13:30 Veikka Kajamies Trio
16:00 Heli Hartikainen
17:15 Olli Soikkeli Django Trio
Friday 31.7.
13:30 Siina Suutarinen Super Sonic
16:00 New3
17:15 Elifantree
Saturday 1.8.
14:00 Beatbox & Cupola
15:00 ZikiZiki-Trio
SUPPLEMENTARY PROGRAMME
Sunday 26.7.
17:30 Prior to Jazz-Espa at Kino Regina: Jazz Legends in Finland (Yle archives 1965/1969/1978)
Wednesday 29.7.
14:30 Jazz in Finland 100 Walk: The Curious Places of Jazz (enrollment required)
Friday 31.7.
19:00 Oiva Haapamäki Quartet and open jams, Musiikkitalo Terrace (free)
Sunday 2.8.
15:40 After Jazz-Espa at Kino Regina: Jazz on a Summer’s Day (USA 1959, dir. Bert Stern, Aram Avakian)
Photo: Jori Huhtala