FESTIVAL Info
Ilosaarirock, known as summer's best weekend, is a three-day music festival taking place on 17–19 July 2026 at Laulurinne in Joensuu, a beautiful lakeside venue just a short walk from the city centre. Founded in 1971, the festival will celebrate its 54th edition next summer.
Ilosaarirock is a truly special event, beloved by both its audience and its makers. Every year, around 70,000 joyful and open-minded festivalgoers come together for three carefree, one-of-a-kind and unforgettable days of music and festival magic.
You can read more about Ilosaarirock and its organiser here.
Ilosaarirock offers three-day, two-day and one-day tickets, as well as three-day and one-day VIP tickets. Youth tickets (for ages 13–17) are available for three or one day, and one-day children's tickets are available for festival-goers aged 8–12. All ticket types are available through Ticketmaster. Up-to-date ticket prices can be found in the Ticketmaster online store or on the Ilosaarirock Tickets page.
All Ilosaarirock tickets must be exchanged for a wristband before entering the festival area.
Ilosaarirock is an all-ages festival. However, we recommend that all minors attend with a guardian. Children aged 12 and under can only enter the festival when accompanied by a guardian who has their own festival wristband for the same festival day.
Some services at Ilosaarirock, including all bar areas and the two VIP areas, are age-restricted. These areas are strictly 18+.
Ilosaarirock offers separate three-day and one-day youth tickets, as well as one-day children's tickets. Youth tickets are for festival-goers aged 13–17, while children's tickets are for those aged 8–12. A children's ticket holder must be accompanied by a guardian who has purchased their own ticket for the same festival day. The age of all youth and children's ticket holders is checked when wristbands are collected.
Children under 8 can experience Ilosaarirock free of charge on one chosen festival day together with a guardian who has their own valid ticket for that day. The free children's ticket can be collected from the main gate info point upon arrival, where the child's age will also be checked.
If you're attending Ilosaarirock with children or teenagers, please enjoy the festival on their terms and help ensure they have a safe and substance-free festival experience.
Ilosaarirock tickets are not personal, meaning ticket holder identification is not checked when exchanging for a wristband. So feel free to buy a ticket as a gift!
We reserve the right to make changes to the Ilosaarirock lineup, schedule, and other arrangements, with updates shared as soon as possible. In line with live music industry practices, festival tickets cannot be refunded due to individual artist cancellations, and no compensation is provided for such changes.
Please note that Ilosaarirock tickets may not be used as prizes in competitions or raffles without the explicit written permission of the festival organiser.
Official Ilosaarirock tickets are sold by Ticketmaster. You can purchase your tickets through the ticket provider's online store, mobile app or any official Ticketmaster ticket outlet.
Ilosaarirock tickets can be purchased using a wide range of payment methods. In the Ticketmaster online store, you can pay with most major debit and credit cards, online bank payments, mobile payment methods such as Apple Pay and MobilePay, Klarna's flexible payment options and Ticketmaster gift cards. Cultural benefits (Epassi, Edenred and Zevoy Benefits) can only be used as payment via Ticketmaster's online store until 13 July, 2026. Payment by invoice is only available when purchasing tickets through Ticketmaster's phone service.
Please note that payment methods at physical Ticketmaster ticket outlets vary by location. Each outlet determines which payment methods it accepts.
In the Joensuu region, Ilosaarirock tickets are available for purchase from several Ticketmaster ticket outlets.
The Ticketmaster outlet at Restaurant Kerubi also sells tickets for Ilovaari Festival. Payment methods at Kerubi include most major debit and credit cards, as well as Epassi. Ticketmaster's order fees may be added to all purchases. When paying with Epassi, a payment fee of 10€ is added to the ticket price. For three-day VIP tickets, the Epassi payment fee is 15€.
If you're buying tickets from Kerubi or any other physical ticket outlet, we recommend creating a Ticketmaster account before your visit to make the purchasing process quicker and smoother.
Restaurant Kerubi (5 June–17 July)
Siltakatu 1 (Ilosaari), 80100 Joensuu
- Open from 5 June to 17 July.
- Tickets available: Ilosaarirock and Ilovaari.
- Payment methods: most major debit and credit cards, plus Epassi.
- Ticketmaster's order fees may apply.
- When paying with Epassi, a payment fee of 10 € is added to the ticket price. For three-day VIP tickets, the payment fee is 15 €.
Rokkikontti (15–17 July)
Koskikatu 8, 80100 Joensuu
- Ticket sales and wristband exchange are available:
- Wed 15 July: 10:00–19:00
- Thu 16 July: 10:00–20:00
- Fri 17 July: 10:00–18:00
- Tickets available: Ilosaarirock only.
- Payment methods: most major debit and credit cards, plus Epassi. Split payments between Epassi and a bank card are also accepted.
- When paying with Epassi, a payment fee of 10€ is added to the ticket price.
- Festival tickets can also be upgraded at Rokkikontti. Please note that tickets can no longer be upgraded once they have been exchanged for a wristband.
Ilosaarirock Info Point (17–19 July)
Located next to the festival's main entrance, the info point also sells tickets during the festival.
- Open:
- Fri 17 July: 12:00–02:30
- Sat 18 July: 12:00–02:00
- Sun 19 July: 12:00–01:00
- Tickets available: Ilosaarirock only.
- Payment methods: most major debit and credit cards, plus Epassi. Split payments between Epassi and a bank card are also accepted.
- When paying with Epassi, a payment fee of 10€ is added to the ticket price.
- Festival tickets can also be upgraded at the info point. Please note that tickets can no longer be upgraded once they have been exchanged for a wristband.
Restaurant Aiho
Masterintie 3, 80710 Lehmo
- Tickets available: Ilosaarirock only.
- Payment methods: most major debit and credit cards, cash, and the most common cultural benefits (Epassi, Smartum and Edenred).
- Ticketmaster's order fees may apply.
- When paying with a cultural benefit, a payment fee of 10 € is added to the ticket price.
If you've already purchased an Ilosaarirock ticket, you can upgrade it to cover more festival days or switch from a standard ticket to a VIP ticket by paying the price difference, along with any applicable change or processing fees charged by Ticketmaster. Upgrades are available through Ticketmaster customer service until wristband exchange begins, or at the Ilosaarirock ticket kiosk at Iso Myy Shopping Centre in Joensuu between 1–14 July.
From Wednesday 15 July onwards, upgrades are only available at Ilosaarirock's own ticket sales points: at Rokkikontti (Koskikatu 8, courtyard of the former Joensuu Lyseo Upper Secondary School) from 15–17 July, and from 17 July onwards at the festival info point next to the main entrance. Please remember to bring your original ticket when upgrading your ticket at an Ilosaarirock sales point. Upgrades are only available for unused tickets. Once your ticket has been exchanged for a wristband, it can no longer be upgraded.
Please note that tickets cannot be downgraded or exchanged for shorter-duration tickets. For example, a three-day standard ticket cannot be exchanged for a one-day VIP ticket.
If you're buying or selling a resale ticket, we recommend using only the ticket provider's official resale platform, Ticketmaster Resale. Ilosaarirock tickets are not personal, meaning they can be used by someone other than the original purchaser. Please note that we cannot guarantee the authenticity of tickets purchased through third-party sellers and are not responsible for any fraud or losses resulting from unofficial ticket sales.
The smoothest and most memorable festival experience of the summer awaits at Ilosaarirock VIP! As a VIP guest, you'll enjoy Ilosaarirock from the best spots at the festival.
Ilosaarirock offers three-day and one-day VIP tickets. All VIP tickets are strictly 18+, as the VIP services are located within age-restricted bar areas.
In addition to regular festival admission and access to Ilosaarirock's spectacular lineup and services, a VIP ticket includes entry to two comfortable VIP areas and access to exclusive VIP services. Food and drinks are not included with the VIP ticket and must be purchased separately.
Ilosaarirock's VIP areas are located next to the festival's two largest stages. Both areas offer comfortable VIP facilities with high-quality services, plenty of seating and private flushing toilets.
Original Long Drink VIP
Spend a carefree festival day from one of the best spots at Ilosaarirock in Original Long Drink VIP! Located next to the Main Stage, the two-storey VIP building and its spacious terrace let you enjoy the performances in comfort while staying right at the heart of the action.
The VIP bar offers the widest selection of drinks at the festival, while tasty snacks provided by our partners make sure you won't go hungry. As only a limited number of VIP tickets are available, the area never gets overcrowded. That means less time queueing and more time enjoying the festival.
We've also paid attention to the practical details to make your visit even more comfortable. Compared to previous years, the Original Long Drink VIP restroom area now features more flushing toilets. There's also a touch-up station where you can freshen up your festival hairstyle or outfit.
The second floor of the two-storey VIP building is home to the CoreGo Business Lounge, for which a limited number of admission tickets are available. The lounge offers a quieter setting for meetings, conversations and networking with partners, clients and other stakeholders.
The second floor also features Ilosaarirock's private VIP boxes, which are sold out for summer 2026.
Star VIP
Delicious food and front-row views without the queue? You can have both at Star VIP! Located next to the YleX Stage, this VIP area lets you enjoy the performances in complete comfort – a dedicated front-row viewing area at the YleX Stage is reserved exclusively for VIP guests.
Star VIP's spacious green terrace is the perfect place to relax, celebrate and spend time with friends. Even if the weather takes a turn, the covered VIP tent provides welcome shelter without compromising the atmosphere. The area also features private flushing toilets for VIP guests.
During breaks between performances on the YleX Stage, guests can also enjoy entertainment in the VIP tent. Will you become the next Ilosaarirock bingo champion or quiz master? Winners of the fun competitions can look forward to fantastic VIP prizes – join us every day at the Star Vip tent!
Friday 17 July
17:15 Bingo
19:15 Stand Up
Saturday 18 July
16:15 Quiz (in Finnish)
18:30 Bingo
Sunday 19 July
16:15 Bingo
18:15 Bingo
This year, Ilosaarirock's VIP guests are invited on a culinary journey to sunny Rome! At Star VIP, you'll find delicious pinsa as well as antipasti platters available in both meat and vegetarian options.
Ilosaarirock's signature pinsa has Roman roots, but it was created in Joensuu under the guidance of the head chef at the renowned Restaurant Sulo. Developed especially for this summer's VIP menu, the recipe was refined over a long process – first through experiments in a home kitchen during the depths of winter, and finally adapted for large-scale production.
The toppings on Tähti VIP's pinsas capture the flavours of summer while offering a few pleasant surprises. A variety of dietary requirements have also been taken into account.
VIP Food Vouchers
VIP guests can purchase separate Star VIP food vouchers, which can be redeemed for a pinsa or an antipasti platter at the festival. You can purchase a Star VIP food voucher in advance through Ticketmaster when buying your VIP ticket. If you've already purchased your VIP ticket, food vouchers are also available separately through this link.
Your digital foodvoucher will be delivered directly by text message to the phone number provided with your order. Using it at the festival is easy: simply open the link in the text message and pay for your meal using the QR code. The digital voucher is also easy to share, for example with a screenshot.
Sales of VIP meal vouchers in the Ticketmaster online store end at 8:00 on Friday 17 July. After that, VIP meals can be purchased as individual portions directly at the festival.
Ilosaarirock Drink Credit is a convenient gift card that can be used to pay for all drinks sold at the festival's bars and VIP areas. You can purchase a Drink Credit voucher in advance through Ticketmaster when buying your VIP ticket. If you've already purchased your VIP ticket, Drink Credit is also available separately through this link.
The balance you purchase is preloaded onto your digital Drink Credit voucher, which will be delivered by text message to the phone number provided with your order during the summer. Using Drink Credit at the festival is easy: simply open the link in the text message and pay for your drink using the QR code. Each purchase automatically deducts the amount from your remaining balance. The digital voucher is easy to share, for example with a screenshot, and the same QR code can be used by multiple people until the balance has been used up.
If you're purchasing Drink Credit for a larger corporate group, for example, you can choose whether the vouchers are sent directly to each recipient by text message or whether you'd prefer to distribute them yourself. We'll be happy to help you find the best option at [email protected].
Sales of Drink Credit in the Ticketmaster online store end at 8:00 on Friday 17 July. If you'd like to buy Drink Credit during the festival, you can do so at the VIP bars.
The best VIP experience of the summer begins at wristband exchange, where every VIP guest receives not only a VIP wristband but also a stylish VIP pass to wear around their neck. Each RFID-enabled pass includes unique daily benefits, discounts and surprise prizes. Be sure to check your VIP pass at the VIP cash desks every day – you might just get lucky during your festival weekend!
All Ilosaarirock VIP guests receive a personal VIP wristband and VIP pass, giving them easy access to both the festival area and the VIP areas. Your ticket will be exchanged for a wristband at the VIP wristband exchange point, where it will be attached directly to your wrist. For this reason, wristbands cannot be collected on behalf of another person.
If you're arriving at Ilosaarirock with a larger corporate group and would like to arrange your own VIP wristband exchange, please contact us at [email protected].
VIP guests have dedicated entrance lanes at both the festival gates and the security check to make arrival at the festival as quick and smooth as possible.
VIP guests also have access to a dedicated cloakroom located between the main entrance and the security check. You can leave your belongings there free of charge for the duration of the festival day.
Invite your clients, team or business partners to experience summer's best weekend at Ilosaarirock's new CoreGo Business Lounge! Located on the second floor of the Original Long Drink VIP building, the lounge offers a relaxed yet stylish setting for networking, spending time together and enjoying the biggest performances of the summer from one of the best viewpoints on the festival site.
The lounge features comfortable seating areas and its own bar. With only a very limited number of guests admitted, it offers a pleasant atmosphere among like-minded people, making networking and strengthening business relationships effortless. The lounge is an excellent venue for a wide range of corporate and client events.
Separate admission tickets to the CoreGo Business Lounge are available for Ilosaarirock's corporate customers. If you're interested in hosting your own event in the CoreGo Business Lounge, please contact us at [email protected].
VIP Age Limits & Accessibility
The VIP areas at Ilosaarirock are strictly 18+. Please be prepared to show valid ID when entering the VIP areas. Children aged 12 and under are welcome in the VIP areas until 19:00 each festival day when accompanied by a guardian. Please note that children also require their own VIP ticket to enter the VIP areas.
The festival's VIP services are not fully accessible. Ilosaarirock takes place in a park, where most routes follow gravel paths. The festival site is generally flat, with the exception of the uphill section leading towards the rear of the festival area. Tähti VIP is located on a grassy area at the top of the hill behind the Laululava Stage. Accessible toilets are available in the VIP areas. Please note, however, that the flushing toilets are not fully accessible.
All Ilosaarirock festival tickets must be exchanged for a wristband before entering the festival area. Your wristband is your personal admission pass, allowing you to enter and leave the festival area throughout the event. Wristbands are attached directly to your wrist during the exchange and are not handed out loose. This helps ensure that every wristband is used by the correct person, prevents misuse and helps us provide a smooth and safe festival experience for everyone. Your wristband will be checked every time you enter the festival area.
Festival wristbands can be collected at the Rokkikontti wristband exchange point, located in the courtyard of the former Joensuu Lyseo Upper Secondary School (Koskikatu 8), from Wednesday to Friday during festival week (15–17 July). The festival area's wristband exchange point at Louhela Field is open from Wednesday to Sunday during festival week (15–19 July).
In addition to the regular wristband exchange points, VIP guests can also collect their wristbands at the dedicated VIP wristband exchange point at Louhela Field.
Please note that festival-goers staying at Holiday Linnunlahti Campsite must also exchange their festival tickets for wristbands at Ilosaarirock's official wristband exchange points. Festival ticket wristbands are not issued at the campsite. Holiday Linnunlahti is responsible only for exchanging campsite wristbands.
Wristband Exchange Opening Hours
Rokkikontti wristband exchange point
Wed 15 July: 10:00–19:00
Thu 16 July: 10:00–20:00
Fri 17 July: 10:00–18:00
Festival area wristband exchange points and VIP wristband exchange
Wed 15 July: 12:00–19:00
Thu 16 July: 10:00–20:00
Fri 17 July: 12:00–23:00
Sat 18 July: 12:00–20:00
Sun 19 July: 12:00–17:00
When the wristband exchange points are closed, you can exchange your ticket for a wristband at the main gate info point during the festival's opening hours.
Festival-goers traveling to Ilosaarirock from outside Joensuu can stay at campsites close to the festival area, hotels in the city centre or accommodation offered by private hosts.
Check out the local hotels:
Sokos Hotel Kimmel
Sokos Hotel Vaakuna
Scandic Hotel Joensuu
GreenStar Hotel Joensuu
Lietsu Boutique Aparthotel
Omena Hotel Joensuu
Johanssonin Talo
Hotel Julie
Ilosaarirock does not have an official campsite of its own, but we recommend Holiday Linnunlahti Campsite, a year-round campsite located right next to the festival area. It offers the perfect place to stay during Ilosaarirock, with tent pitches, caravan and motorhome pitches, and apartments available. Guests also have access to a wide range of facilities, including showers, saunas, a shared kitchen, a café and a barbecue area. To top it all off, the campsite has its own direct entrance to the festival area! Holiday Linnunlahti is responsible for campsite operations and accommodation bookings.
Another accommodation option close to the festival area is Jokiasema Caravan Area, which welcomes guests staying in caravans and motorhomes during the festival weekend. Jokiasema also has a guest marina if you're arriving by boat. Jokiasema is responsible for operating the caravan area and managing bookings.
If you're looking for accommodation offered by private hosts, you can browse listings on platforms such as Tori.fi or Airbnb.
Ilosaarirock takes place in Joensuu, which is easy to reach by train, long-distance coach, car or plane from almost anywhere in Finland. The distance from Joensuu railway station and the long-distance coach stops to the festival area is approximately 2.5 kilometres.
Trains and Long-Distance Coaches
Summer is a very busy travel season, so we recommend booking all public transport tickets for the festival weekend, including VR train tickets, well in advance. The official festival train, Rock Train ('Rokkijuna'), departs from Helsinki to Joensuu on Friday 17 July at 10:14 and arrives at 14:51. Wristband exchange is available on board, and passengers can also look forward to a few pleasant surprises. Tickets for all train services during the festival are available on the VR website and in the VR Matkalla app.
Ilosaarirock takes place at Laulurinne in Joensuu. The easiest way to reach the festival area is on foot, by bike or by public transport.
Getting to Ilosaarirock by bike is easy. Bicycles can be left at the supervised paid bike parking area located near the main entrance. You can also park your own personal e-scooter there. Parking costs 4€/visit.
Bike Parking is open:
Fri 12:00–02:30
Sat 12:00–02:00
Sun 12:00–01:30
Please note that the bike parking area is not supervised overnight, so remember to collect your bike or e-scooter before closing time.
Rental e-scooters are not allowed in or around the festival area and cannot be parked in the bike parking area. Shared e-scooters must be left in their designated parking areas. Please also note that shared e-scooters are not available in Joensuu on weekend nights.
During Ilosaarirock, a temporary bus stop operates in the parking area of Vesikko Swimming Hall, close to the festival area. All Rokkibuses and local buses arrive at and depart from this stop.
Free Rokkibuses operate between Joensuu railway station and the festival area throughout the festival weekend, transporting festival-goers to and from the busiest arriving and departing trains and long-distance coaches.
Additional local bus services will operate throughout the festival weekend. On festival nights, routes 1, 2 and 12 run as non-stop services departing from the Vesikko Swimming Hall parking area. Check all local bus routes and timetables in the Jojo journey planner.
The free festival buses, known as Rokkibuses, operate between Joensuu railway station and the Rokkibus stop located in the parking area of Vesikko Swimming Hall. Rokkibuses do not stop at any other bus stops.
Rokkibus departures are scheduled to match the busiest train arrivals to Joensuu. On Friday and Saturday, buses depart from the railway station once they are full. On Monday, Rokkibuses take festival-goers back to the railway station from the Rokkibus stop at the Vesikko Swimming Hall parking area.
TRAINS ARRIVING IN JOENSUU
Rokkibuses depart from the charter bus stop (Platform 1) in front of the railway station once the buses are full.
Friday 17 July
13:12 – Helsinki–Joensuu
14:51 – Official festival train (Helsinki–Joensuu)
17:00 – Helsinki–Joensuu
17:45 and 17:51 – Nurmes–Joensuu and Helsinki–Joensuu
Saturday 18 July
11:36 – Helsinki–Joensuu
13:12 – Helsinki–Joensuu
TRAINS DEPARTING FROM JOENSUU
Rokkibuses depart from the festival's Rokkibus stop at the Vesikko Swimming Hall parking area approximately one hour before the train departs.
Monday 20 July
09:00 (for the 10:15 train from Joensuu to Helsinki)
The supervised day parking area for cars is located next to the festival area, in front of the Joensuu racetrack. The parking area can be accessed via Heinäpurontie. Day parking costs 27€/day, and parking tickets can be purchased through the Ticketmaster online store.
Parking is open:
Fri 12:00–02:30
Sat 12:00–02:00
Sun 12:00–01:30
Please note that the parking area is not supervised overnight and overnight stays in vehicles are not permitted.
There is also a guarded parking garage close to the festival area. Parking arrangements and ticket sales are managed by Holiday Linnunlahti.
Please note that during the Ilosaarirock event week, on-street parking in Joensuu city centre and especially near the festival area is prohibited. Parking restrictions may also differ from normal.
During Ilosaarirock, a temporary taxi rank operates at the Vesikko Swimming Hall parking area, close to the festival site.
Temporary Traffic Arrangements
Ilosaarirock will cause temporary changes to traffic arrangements in the Laulurinne area and its surroundings.
Linnunlahdentie between Hallitie and Lähteläntie will be closed from Wednesday 8 July at 20:00 until Wednesday 22 July at 20:00. During this period, traffic will be diverted via Hallitie, Kuntopolku and Lähteläntie.
Linnunlahdentie will be closed to through traffic from Thursday 16 July at 18:00. Access to the Tiedepuisto parking garage will remain available, and the route will be signposted. Linnunlahdentie will reopen to traffic on Monday 20 July at 08:00.
Access to Hasanniemi is available via Sepänkatu, depending on the progress of the roadworks on Papinkatu.
These temporary traffic arrangements are in place to reduce traffic around the festival area and to ensure safety during the build-up, festival weekend and dismantling of the event.
We encourage all festival-goers to arrive on foot, by bike, by public transport or by carpool whenever possible. If you're driving to Ilosaarirock, we recommend filling your car with fellow festival-goers – it's not only more environmentally friendly, but more fun too!
Please allow plenty of time for your journey to the festival. As with any major event, temporary congestion and queues may occur.
Ilosaarirock takes place at Laulurinne (Linnunlahdentie 3), a lakeside park just a short walk from the centre of Joensuu.
Throughout the festival weekend, Laulurinne comes alive with great live music, sideshows, stunning visuals, and delicious food and drinks. That's what summer's best weekend is made of!
The festival area opens approximately one hour before the first performance of the day and closes around one hour after the last performance on the Main Stage.
Friday 17 July
Area open: 14:00–02:30
Programme: 14:45–02:00
Saturday 18 July
Area open: 13:00–02:00
Programme: 14:00–01:30
Sunday 19 July
Area open: 13:00–01:00
Programme: 14:00–00:00
Most major debit and credit cards, contactless payments and mobile payment methods that support contactless payments are accepted at Ilosaarirock.
Cash is not accepted anywhere inside the festival area. Cash is also not accepted at the info point, bike parking area or Ilosaarirock's own parking area outside the festival site.
A refundable deposit is included in the price of all alcoholic beverages sold at Ilosaarirock. Deposits can be returned at the bars or at dedicated deposit return points. A maximum of 100€ in deposits can be refunded to a single payment card during one festival day. Refunds will appear on your payment card within 1–3 banking days.
At the Taffel deposit return points located next to the largest bar areas, you can also exchange your deposit for a bag of Taffel chips instead of receiving a refund.
The Ilosaarirock info point is located next to the festival's main entrance. Whether you've lost your ticket or misplaced your backpack, the info point is the place to go.
Info point opening hours:
Fri 12:00–02:30
Sat 12:00–02:00
Sun 12:00–01:00
While the festival is open, the info point also serves as the festival's lost property office. During the night, you can also ask the security staff about valuable lost items. All unclaimed lost property will be transferred to the North Karelia Lost Property Service on the Monday after the festival. Items can be enquired about after 12:00 at www.pklp.fi.
The festival's paid cloakroom is located between the main entrance and the security check. Each cloakroom visit costs 5€.
Cloakroom opening hours:
Fri 14:00–02:30
Sat 13:00–02:00
Sun 13:00–01:00
Please note that cloakroom space is limited. Keep your cloakroom ticket safe and remember to collect your belongings before the festival area closes. Any items left behind in the cloakroom will be taken to the festival's lost property office at the info point. Ilosaarirock is not responsible for unclaimed belongings.
Entry to the festival area is through the security check. Security checks carried out by our stewards help keep the festival area and all festival-goers safe by preventing prohibited items and substances from being brought into the event. The stewards make the final decision on whether an item or substance is permitted inside the festival area.
A list of permitted and prohibited items will be available on our website closer to the festival. The fast lane at the security check is intended for festival-goers who are not carrying a bag or any other items.
Please allow plenty of time when arriving at the festival, as queues may form at the security check during the busiest times.
You'll find plenty of food vendors throughout the festival area serving hungry festival-goers all weekend long. The festival's food selection includes a wide range of vegetarian and vegan options, and various dietary requirements have also been taken into account.
There are several bar areas throughout the festival site for guests aged 18 and over. Please be prepared to show valid ID when entering the bar areas. In addition to delicious cocktails and alcoholic beverages, the bars also offer a variety of non-alcoholic drinks.
You're also welcome to bring your own snacks into the festival area. Normal-sized food items such as sandwiches, fruit, sweets, crisps and other snacks are allowed. You may also bring small, unopened juice boxes.
There are several water stations throughout the festival area where you can refill your own water bottle. The tap water in North Karelia is officially among the best!
Need a little extra energy during your festival day? Ilosaarirock's own festival convenience store has you covered. Pick up everything from coffee, soft drinks and Red Bull to Taffel Loaded Chips and other tasty snacks. The festival convenience store also sells earplugs and rain ponchos.
Ilosaarirock's hundreds of toilets are grouped into large, all-ages toilet areas located throughout the festival site. Toilet areas can be found in the Sound Stage area, along the lakeside path leading to the YleX Stage, on the route between the YleX Stage and the Sound Stage, and near the main entrance. The VIP areas also have their own flushing toilets.
The toilets at Ilosaarirock are gender-neutral. Toilet areas are divided into facilities for standing and seated urination. The standing area includes urinals.
Accessible toilets are available in every toilet area. Accessible toilet doors are clearly marked to indicate that wheelchair users, others requiring accessible facilities, and holders of a Toilet Card (Vessapassi) are entitled to use them and may skip the queue if necessary.
All larger toilet areas include hand washing facilities with running water and environmentally friendly soap. Please note that the taps for hand washing and water bottle refilling are separate. Hand washing stations are not intended for filling drinking bottles.
Recycling facilities are available throughout the festival area for bio waste, metal, glass, cardboard, plastic packaging, cans, bottles and hazardous waste. Separate ashtrays are also provided for cigarette butts. At Ilosaarirock, 100% of festival waste is either recycled or recovered for energy.
There are seating and rest areas throughout the festival site. The largest seating areas are located in the Food Courts and the Sound Stage area. The festival area also features plenty of grassy areas where you can sit back, relax and enjoy summer's best weekend.
Festival Merchandise & Artist Merchandise
Official Ilosaarirock merchandise and merchandise from artists and bands performing at the festival are available at the Ilosaarirock Shop in the festival area. You can also purchase official Ilosaarirock merchandise in advance at shop.ilosaarirock.fi.
Phone charging stations provided by Pohjois-Karjalan Sähkö are available near the Rento Stage for all festival-goers. Charging stations are also available in both VIP areas.
Please remember to protect your hearing by using earplugs or hearing protection. Earplugs are available for purchase at several locations around the festival area, including the dedicated earplug stand near the Main Stage, Ilosaarirock's festival convenience store and from roaming vendors. Disposable rain ponchos are also available at the same locations.
Smoking is prohibited in front of all stages and in densely crowded audience areas. Designated smoking areas with ashtrays are available throughout the festival site. These restrictions also apply to e-cigarettes.
Please use the designated smoking areas whenever possible. There may be people in the audience with respiratory conditions, for example, and they also have the right to enjoy summer's best weekend without having to worry about cigarette smoke. Please be considerate of your fellow festival-goers by not smoking in the crowd and by disposing of cigarette butts and nicotine pouches in the ashtrays provided.
Tobacco products are not sold at the festival. Other nicotine products are available for purchase at the festival bars.
Ilosaarirock is fully committed to ensuring that everyone is welcome and can attend our festival.
Festival-goers who require a personal assistant or use a mobility aid may bring a personal assistant or interpreter to Ilosaarirock free of charge. Ilosaarirock does not issue separate tickets for personal assistants or wheelchair users. Assistant and interpreter wristbands are available from the festival info point upon arrival and do not need to be reserved in advance. The need for an assistant will be confirmed at the info point when collecting the wristband.
All Ilosaarirock festival tickets must be exchanged for a wristband before entering the festival area. Both the festival-goer and their assistant can exchange their tickets for wristbands at the festival info point. Wristbands are always attached directly to the wearer's wrist, which means they cannot be collected on someone else's behalf.
We do not require proof of disability. However, if your disability is not visible, presenting an EU Disability Card marked with an "A" or a doctor's certificate may help make the process at the info point smoother.
Ilosaarirock takes place in a park, where most routes follow gravel paths. The festival area is generally flat, with the exception of the uphill sections leading towards the rear of the site.
An accessible entrance route is available at the main entrance. From there, access to the festival area is via a park pathway, which includes some uneven sections. Clear signage throughout the site helps festival-goers find their way around.
An asphalt parking area is located close to the festival site and includes a limited number of free accessible parking spaces. A valid disabled parking permit is required to use these spaces. Accessible parking spaces cannot be reserved in advance and are allocated on a first come, first served basis.
The festival area can be accessed through both the main entrance and a separate accessible entrance located near the accessible parking area.
Accessible viewing platforms are available in front of the Main Stage, YleX Stage, Rentolava, and Sound Stage for festival-goers with reduced mobility, those using mobility aids, and, for example, people of short stature. The viewing platforms are accessible via a gently sloping ramp.
Accessible toilets are available at or immediately next to all of the larger toilet areas at Ilosaarirock. They are reserved for festival-goers with reduced mobility and for those who, for example, hold a Toilet Card (Vessapassi).
Safety instructions and some information shown on the stage screens are provided with visual interpretation, with the assistive text being in Finnish. Ilosaarirock's assistant policy also applies to interpreters.
If you have any questions, concerns or feedback regarding our accessibility, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at [email protected].
You can also download the accessibility map directly to your device.
Equality has always been one of Ilosaarirock’s core values. Our visitors, volunteers, performers, employees and partners are all welcome at our festival as they are. We want every single person to feel safe and free to express themselves at Ilosaarirock. We do not allow or tolerate any kind of discrimination or harassment at Ilosaarirock.
We have a zero tolerance policy for sexual harassment or abuse at Ilosaarirock. Our security guards and entire festival staff have been trained to recognise incidents of harassment and how to intervene. Additionally, a sexual harassment support person works on site and the police will keep the threshold for reporting crimes low.
We are all responsible for our own actions – even in the festival frenzy. Please respect the physical and mental integrity of each and every one of your fellow revellers and take others into consideration in the midst of having fun. If you witness or experience any inappropriate behaviour, alert or turn to any of the festival security guards or Ilosaarirock staff members.
Ilosaarirock’s principles for a safer space have been compiled in the festival’s Rock Etiquette, which you can find in the next section below. In addition, the Ilosaarirock Gig Etiquette provides guidance for festival-goers on how to help create an enjoyable concert atmosphere for everyone.
Safety comes first! We want everyone at Ilosaarirock to be able to enjoy the festival with peace of mind. Ilosaarirock has zero tolerance for discrimination, sexual harassment, harassment of any kind and violence. We work closely with the authorities and continue to invest in the festival's safety year after year. The festival has received widespread praise, particularly from the authorities, for its safe and well-organised atmosphere.
The safety of festival-goers is looked after by hundreds of stewards, both inside the festival area and in its surroundings. Police, rescue services, first aid personnel and support services are also present throughout the festival.
Entry to the festival area is through a security check. As the name suggests, the purpose of the security checks carried out by our stewards is to help keep the festival area and festival-goers safe by preventing prohibited items and substances from being brought into the event.
A first aid station is available throughout the festival weekend and is located near the main entrance. In addition, first aid patrols circulate around the festival area.
Located near the bridge leading to the Sound Stage, Rokkikorjaamo helps treat, prevent and take care of the little bumps, scrapes and mishaps that can happen during a festival before they become bigger problems. Throughout the festival weekend, the Finnish Red Cross first aid team provides wound cleaning and plasters, while the MIELI Point, operated by MIELI Mental Health Finland, offers emotional support and someone to talk to.
A trained harassment contact person is available throughout the festival weekend, and you are welcome to contact them at any time. If you experience or witness inappropriate behaviour, harassment or discrimination, you can report it by calling or sending a text message to +358 50 512 9011 (available 17–19 July) or by filling in this anonymous form.
Ilosaarirock welcomes tens of thousands of festival-goers over the course of one weekend. If you feel uncomfortable in crowded spaces, we recommend avoiding densely packed areas. The pressure within the crowd can build up quickly, especially in front of the stages. If you do find yourself caught in crowd pressure, stay calm and don't resist it. Move with the crowd and call for help loudly if needed.
Please remember to be considerate of those around you during performances. Don't push your way through the crowd when a show starts, and remember that those who arrived early to secure a front-row spot have earned their place. Everyone has the right to enjoy the performance without being crushed between the crowd and the barrier. Also remember that sitting down in a densely packed crowd can be dangerous both for you and for others.
Moshing and walls of death, familiar from heavier music genres, are permitted at Ilosaarirock. These create a more energetic and physical area in front of the stage. Remember to look after your fellow moshers – if someone falls, help them back up immediately and make sure they're okay. People around the edge of the pit should help anyone leaving the pit get back into the crowd safely. Please also give those taking part enough space and don't push people into the pit from the outside. Our stewards monitor mosh pits and may stop them if they become too dangerous.
Crowd surfing and sitting on another person's shoulders are prohibited for safety reasons.
Climbing on the Ilosaarirock letters, festival structures, fences or any other event infrastructure is strictly prohibited. Anyone caught damaging festival structures will be held responsible for the cost of the damage.
Ilosaarirock is an all-ages festival. However, we recommend that all minors attend with a guardian. Children aged 12 and under can only enter the festival when accompanied by a guardian who has purchased their own ticket.
If you're attending Ilosaarirock with children, please enjoy the festival on their terms. As the evening gets darker and the festival fills with tens of thousands of people, the environment may not be suitable for the youngest members of the family. Above all, please make sure children have a safe and substance-free festival experience.
Animals are not permitted at Ilosaarirock for safety reasons.
Sound levels at the festival may occasionally exceed recommended limits. Please protect your hearing by using earplugs or hearing protection. Also be aware that bright flashing lights are an important part of many live performances and may affect people who are sensitive to them.
Photography is permitted at Ilosaarirock using DSLR cameras, compact cameras, mobile phones and action cameras such as GoPros. However, we ask that you leave other photography equipment, such as tripods, large flashes and lighting equipment, at home. Selfie sticks are permitted at Ilosaarirock. For safety reasons, drones and flying drones in or around the festival area are strictly prohibited.
When taking photos, please also respect the privacy of other festival-goers. Do not publish clearly identifiable photos of others, for example on social media, without their permission. Our stewards may prohibit photography during performances, for example at the request of an artist.
Professional video recording or filming of performances is prohibited without the permission of the artist and their representatives.
Photography and video recording take place throughout the festival area and its immediate surroundings for Ilosaarirock's marketing and communications. These materials may be used not only on Ilosaarirock's own channels but also by festival partners and other third parties. If you do not wish to be photographed or filmed, please let the photographer know. We never portray anyone attending Ilosaarirock in a negative light.
We want everyone to feel free to enjoy the festival. At the same time, please remember to look after yourself and your friends. Make sure you know where your friends are, and let them know where you are too. If you notice anything that could pose a safety risk, whether involving people or festival structures, please report it immediately to the nearest steward.
- Telescopic poles (including selfie sticks)
- Laminated or cardboard signs (maximum A3 size) and soft flags
- Unopened, transparent plastic bottles (maximum 1.5 litres, no alcoholic beverages)
- Empty transparent plastic bottles (maximum 1.5 litres, no alcohol bottles)
- Empty transparent or opaque reusable drink bottles (e.g. metal water bottles, no alcohol containers)
- Individual unopened cans of energy drinks, soft drinks or sparkling water (maximum 0.5 litres, no alcohol containers)
- Hairspray and other cosmetic products
- Folding camping chairs
- Small umbrellas
- DSLR cameras, GoPro cameras and selfie sticks
- Food and feeding supplies for young children
- E-cigarettes and vaping devices
- Painkillers and other common over-the-counter medications in their original packaging
- Prescription medications and any necessary medical equipment
- Illegal drugs, alcoholic beverages brought from outside the festival, and alcohol containers
- Glass bottles and glass containers
- Metal food containers
- Plastic bottles larger than 1.5 litres or opened drink bottles
- Personal two-way radios and radio transmitters
- Large umbrellas
- Laser pointers and high-powered lights
- Firearms or imitation firearms, ammunition, explosives (including flares and fireworks), bladed weapons, needles (unless there is a valid reason for carrying them), and any other items capable of cutting or stabbing
- Tools without a legitimate purpose (such as multi-tools)
- Any other items or substances that could be used to harm others
- Megaphones and other loud noise-making devices
- Drones and other airborne devices, unless operated by the authorities or the festival organiser
We reserve the right to make changes. The list of prohibited items and substances may be updated at any time. The festival's stewards always make the final decision on whether an item or substance is permitted inside the festival area.
There is no place for discrimination, harassment or inappropriate behaviour during summer's best weekend. That's why Ilosaarirock follows the principles of a safer space, known as the Rock Etiquette. Together, let's make summer's best weekend a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone.
Respect others
Respect every festival-goer's physical and emotional space, as well as their right to self-determination. Remember that no always means no – respect the boundaries that others set. Treat other people's belongings and the surrounding environment with respect as well.
Don't make assumptions
Don't make assumptions about other people. Approach everyone with an open mind and without prejudice, and give everyone the space to be completely themselves.
Ask for permission
Don't touch another person without their permission – this includes mobility aids and other assistive devices. Always ask before entering someone else's personal space. Remember that consent must always be mutual.
Treat others with kindness
Don't judge, mock, discriminate against or humiliate anyone through your words or actions – not even as a joke. Treat everyone and everything around you with kindness and respect.
Stand up for others
We all play a part in creating the atmosphere of summer's best weekend. Remember that your actions affect other festival-goers too. Speak up if you witness inappropriate behaviour, and stand up for yourself and for others.
Listen and take responsibility
If someone gives you feedback about your behaviour, receive it with an open mind. If your words or actions have hurt another person or damaged someone else's property, whether intentionally or unintentionally, apologise. Learn from your mistakes.
If you feel unsafe at the festival or encounter behaviour that goes against the Rock Etiquette, always speak to the nearest steward or another member of the festival staff.
A trained harassment contact person is also available throughout the festival weekend, and you are welcome to contact them at any time. If you experience or witness harassment, you can report it by calling or sending a text message to +358 50 512 9011 (available 17–19 July) or by filling in this anonymous form, available in Finnish.
Have you ever wondered how to behave at a festival show? Ilosaarirock's Gig Etiquette is here to help you get the most out of every live performance! Together, we can make sure everyone gets to enjoy summer's best gigs in the way that suits them best. We all have the right to lose ourselves in the music, as long as we remember to be mindful of those around us.
Gig Etiquette
Make room for everyone
Everyone has the right to enjoy the performances in their own way – whether that's listening quietly or singing and dancing their heart out. Singing along and dancing are more than welcome, but please be considerate of the people around you. Remember that everyone is there to see and hear the artist on stage, not someone else's loud conversation.
Respect the front row
The fans who arrived early have earned their spot. Please respect the front row – don't force your way into a tightly packed crowd or push your way through when the show begins. No one should have to be squeezed between the crowd barrier and the audience.
Hold on to your belongings
Take care of your belongings. Don't throw drink cans or any other objects towards the audience or the stage. If you're enjoying a drink during a performance, be mindful of the people around you and try not to spill it on your fellow festival-goers.
Protect your hearing and your eyes
Live music is best enjoyed with protected ears – remember to wear earplugs or hearing protection during performances. Also be aware that bright flashing lights are an important part of many live shows and may affect people who are sensitive to them.
Don't block the view
Be mindful of other people's view of the stage. You're welcome to bring small signs and soft flags to Ilosaarirock, as long as they're not excessively large. We recommend signs no bigger than A4. Please don't block the view of the people behind you with umbrellas or other items.
Smoke away from the crowd
Smoking is prohibited in front of all stages at Ilosaarirock and in densely packed audience areas, so please use the designated smoking areas whenever possible. Please also respect nature by disposing of cigarette butts and nicotine pouches in the ashtrays provided.
Stay alert
The pressure within the crowd can build up quickly in front of the stages and may become uncomfortable. If you find yourself caught in crowd pressure, stay calm and don't resist it. Move with the crowd instead.
Moshing and walls of death, familiar from heavier music genres, are permitted at Ilosaarirock. These create a more energetic and generally more physical area in front of the stage. If that isn't for you, don't enter the pit. And remember: never leave a fellow mosher behind. Help anyone who falls back to their feet and make sure they're okay. People around the edge of the pit should help anyone leaving the pit get back into the crowd safely.
Listen to the stewards
Ilosaarirock's stewards are there to help throughout the performances. If you feel uncomfortable during a show, raise your hand clearly and call for help if needed. In all situations, listen to and follow the instructions given by the stewards.
Live in the moment
Capturing your favourite performances in photos and videos is great, but try to live in the moment too. Experience the show with your own eyes instead of only through your phone screen. We promise you won't regret it!
You can download the festival site map and the city map directly to your own device. You can also find a high-resolution festival site map in the Ilosaarirock mobile app (only available in Finnish).
Download the festival map (PDF)
Download the city map (PDF)
Can't find an answer to your question?
No worries – please get in touch by email or drop us a message via any of Ilosaarirock’s social channels!