About Us

Ilosaarirock is a festival dear to its visitors and creators, bringing together about 70,000 cheerful and lively participants each year for one weekend without equal. The event is held yearly in mid-July, at the scenic park area of Laulurinne, Joensuu. Ilosaarirock is Finland's second oldest rock festival as well as one of its largest.

Independent since 1971

Joensuu Pop Musician’s Association has been organizing Ilosaarirock annually since 1971. It is very rare for one of Finland's largest festivals to be organized by an unincorporated, non-profit association.

The profits from Ilosaarirock are used to support the popular culture of North Karelia by distributing grants three times a year. Ilosaarirock is known for its relaxed atmosphere, its uncomplicated Karelian customer service and its sense of responsibility. In addition, the festival's pioneering work to reduce its environmental load is internationally recognized. You can read more about our core values here.

Ilosaarirock moved to its current location on Joensuu’s Laulurinne (a local concert venue) in 1991. The festival area was expanded to its current dimensions in 2012, and the festival was extended to three days in 2017.