Info
Ilosaarirock, known locally as the best weekend of the summer, takes place over three days in Joensuu, Finland from the 12th to the 14th of July, 2024. The festival is held at a scenic lakeside location, and is within walking distance from the city centre.
Ilosaarirock has been running since 1971. The festival is organised by Joensuu Pop Musicians’ Association, a non-profit organisation founded on the idea of supporting the local live music scene.
Ilosaarirock Festival is much loved and treasured by both the organisers and guests, bringing together a crowd of some 70 000 people annually for one happy, lively and openminded weekend. You can read more about the festival and its organisers here.
A limited batch of three-day tickets and three-day VIP tickets to the 2025 edition of Ilosaarirock Festival are currently on sale. Other ticket types, such as two-day tickets and one-day tickets will be available for purchase at a later date.
Ticket Prices:
FRIEND 3 DAYS starting from 160 €
FRIEND VIP 3 DAYS starting from 270 €
Friend tickets are available in limited quantities, and they're on sale until July 31st or until all tickets have been sold. Possible service and delivery fees will be added on to the ticket prices at point of purchase.
All festival tickets will be exchanged for wristbands before entering the festival area.
Tickets to the 2025 edition of Ilosaarirock Festival can be purchased from Lippu.fi and Tiketti’s web stores and outlets. Tiketti and Lippu.fi also accept several culture benefits and vouchers as payment methods on either their web stores and/or outlets.
Ilosaarirock tickets can be purchased from, for example, all R-kioski's around the country. In Joensuu, you can also purchase tickets at Prisma. You can check your nearest points of sale on each of the ticket sellers’ websites.
Tickets are also sold at the main gate information point, provided the event is not sold out in advance.
Changes and upgrades to already-purchased tickets can be easily made through the original ticket seller from which you've bought your original ticket.
Ilosaarirock VIP offers an exclusive and unforgettable way to experience the festival. Our VIP customers gain access to restricted VIP areas near the festival’s two biggest stages, Main Stage and YleX Stage. Comfortable seating areas, exclusive drink menus and flushing toilets available only to our VIP customers are just a few of the perks that come with the Ilosaarirock VIP experience.
Ilosaarirock’s VIP is R-18. Please note that the VIP tickets do not include any food or drink.
You can read more about Ilosaarirock's VIP services on this info page under the VIP headline.
Age Limits & Children's Tickets
Ilosaarirock Festival does not have an age limit, but we do recommend that children under 12 years old are accompanied by an adult.
One-day tickets for children aged 8–12 attending the festival with a guardian can be purchased starting the festival week Wednesday at Rokkikontti and at the main gate information point on festival days. Children's tickets cost 59 euros. The tickets will be available even if the festival is sold out. Children’s tickets will be exchanged for wristbands at the same time, so children must be present when purchasing tickets.
Children under 8 can enter Ilosaarirock for free on any chosen day when accompanied by a guardian with a general admission wristband. Free tickets can be obtained at the main gate information point upon arrival. With these children's tickets, entry to the festival area is permitted with a guardian who has a general admission wristband for the same day.
Please prepare to verify the children's age with either an identification card or, for example, a Kela card.
If you do attend Ilosaarirock with children, please do so on the children’s terms. Please offer a safe and substance-free festival experience to all children. Please also note that late nights and a crowd of tens of thousands of festival guests are not a suitable environment for the youngest and smallest of the family.
Ilosaarirock reserves the right to make changes to the festival lineup, schedules, and other logistical details. Any possible changes will be communicated immediately. In accordance with common practices in the live music industry, festival tickets cannot be refunded due to individual artist cancellations, and no refunds will be issued for such changes.
Please note that Ilosaarirock's tickets cannot be used as prizes in competitions or giveaways without the explicit written permission of the festival organizer.
All Ilosaarirock festival tickets must be exchanged for wristbands before entering the festival area. The electronic chip on the wristband acts as an access pass, allowing entry and exit from the festival grounds during the event. The wristband is attached at the time of exchange and cannot be collected on behalf of someone else.
Wristbands can be exchanged at the Rokkikontti wristband exchange point in the courtyard of the Joensuu Art Museum Onni from Wednesday to Friday, July 10-12, during the festival week. The wristband exchange point at the festival grounds on the Louhela field is open from Wednesday to Sunday during festival week.
VIP customers can exchange their wristbands not only at the regular exchange points but also at their own VIP wristband exchange point in Louhela field.
Please note that festival customers camping at Holiday Linnunlahti must also exchange their festival tickets for wristbands at Ilosaarirock's wristband exchange points. There is no separate wristband exchange for festival tickets at the campsite. Holiday Linnunlahti handles the exchange of camping wristbands.
Wristband Exchange Opening Hours
Rokkikontti Wristband Exchange Point:
Wed, July 10: 10 AM – 7 PM
Thu, July 11: 10 AM – 8 PM
Fri, July 12: 10 AM – 6 PM
Festival Area Wristband Exchange Points and VIP Wristband Exchange:
Wed, July 10: 12 PM – 7 PM
Thu, July 11: 10 AM – 8 PM
Fri, July 12: 12 PM – 11 PM
Sat, July 13: 11 AM – 8 PM
Sun, July 14: 12 PM – 5 PM
Wristbands can also be exchanged at the main gate information point during the festival's opening hours when the wristband exchange points are closed.
Ilosaarirock takes place in Joensuu, Eastern Finland, in the Laulurinne park, which is located approximately one kilometre from the Joensuu city centre. The city is easily reached by train, bus, air or by car. The Joensuu railway station and bus stops are approximately 1,5 kilometers away from the Ilosaarirock festival site.
Trains
Summer is a very popular travel time, so it's a good idea to purchase all public transport tickets, including train tickets, well in advance. In addition to regular train services, VR (Finnish Railways) will arrange an extra service from Helsinki to Joensuu on festival Friday, July 12, and a night train from Joensuu to Helsinki at 2:10 AM on the night between Sunday and Monday. Tickets for the extra train services are available on VR's website and the VR Matkalla app.
Buses
You can also conveniently travel to Joensuu by long-distance buses. Savonlinja will transport festival guests from Jyväskylä and Kuopio to Joensuu on several services on Friday, July 12. Return trips from Joensuu to Jyväskylä or Kuopio are organized on Monday, July 15. More information about bus services and stops, as well as tickets, can be found on the Matkahuolto website.
Festival guests traveling from Helsinki to Joensuu can also hop on an Onnibus, which runs once daily to Joensuu and once daily back to Helsinki. You can check the schedules and tickets for the festival weekend here.
Free festival shuttles ('Rokkibussi') will run between Joensuu railway station and the festival area, transporting guests from the busiest trains and long-distance buses to the festival and back throughout the event weekend.
Additional services have been added to local buses for the weekend. Local buses and the festival shuttles arrive and depart from the parking lot of the Vesikko swimming hall, located near the festival area.
Festival Shuttle Schedule
The free festival shuttle buses, known as Rokkibussi, will run between Joensuu railway station and the Rokkibussi stop at the Vesikko swimming hall, located right next to the festival area, throughout the festival weekend.
Festival shuttles will operate according to the busiest train arrivals in Joensuu and will depart from the railway station once the buses are full. On Sunday and Monday, the buses will transport festival-goers back to the railway station.
TRAINS ARRIVING IN JOENSUU
The festival shuttles will depart from the railway station once the buses are full.
Friday, July 12
11:40 AM: Train arriving from Helsinki–Joensuu
2:31 PM and 2:51 PM: Trains arriving from Pieksämäki–Joensuu and Helsinki–Joensuu
4:30 PM: Train arriving from Helsinki–Joensuu
5:45 PM and 5:51 PM: Trains arriving from Nurmes–Joensuu and Helsinki–Joensuu
7:36 PM: Train arriving from Helsinki–Joensuu
8:56 PM: Trains arriving from Helsinki–Joensuu and Jyväskylä–Joensuu
Saturday, July 13
11:40 AM: Train arriving from Helsinki–Joensuu
1:56 PM: Train arriving from Jyväskylä–Joensuu
2:51 PM: Train arriving from Helsinki–Joensuu
TRAINS DEPARTING FROM JOENSUU
The festival shuttles will depart from the Rokkibussi stop at the Vesikko parking lot approximately one hour before the train's departure.
Sunday, July 14
5:30 PM: Train departing Joensuu–Nurmes at 6:00 PM, train departing Joensuu–Helsinki at 6:11 PM
1:10 AM: Train departing Joensuu–Helsinki at 2:10 AM (the night between Sunday and Monday)
Monday, July 15
8:10 AM: Train departing Joensuu–Helsinki at 9:00 AM
11:00 AM: Train departing Joensuu–Helsinki at 12:11 PM
It's easy to cycle to Ilosaarirock. You can park your bike safely in the supervised bike park located near the main gate. You can also leave your personal electric scooter in the bike park.
Bike Park Opening Hours:
Fri, July 12: 12 PM – 2:30 AM
Sat, July 13: 11 AM – 2 AM
Sun, July 14: 12 PM – 1:30 AM
Parking your bike costs €3 per time, and payment is made on-site upon arrival. The bike park accepts payment cards and contactless payments.
Please note that the bike park is not supervised at night. Remember to pick up your bike before the park closes.
It is prohibited to ride rented shared electric scooters to the festival area and its immediate surroundings, and shared electric scooters cannot be parked in the bike park. Shared electric scooters can be left in their designated areas.
The supervised day parking for cars is located next to the festival area in front of the Joensuu racetrack. Access to the parking area is via Heinäpurontie.
Day Parking Opening Hours:
Fri, July 12: 12 PM – 2:30 AM
Sat, July 13: 11 AM – 2 AM
Sun, July 14: 12 PM – 1:30 AM
You can leave and return to the parking area during the same day as indicated on your ticket. Please note that the parking area is not supervised at night and overnight stays in vehicles are prohibited. The day parking fee is €25 per day, and tickets can be purchased here.
Additionally, there is a guarded parking garage near the festival area, organized and ticketed by Holiday Linnunlahti.
During the Ilosaarirock event week, street parking in downtown Joensuu and especially near the festival area is prohibited, and the allowed parking times may differ from the usual.
During Ilosaarirock, a temporary taxi stand will operate next to the festival area, located in front of Tiedepuisto (Joensuu Science Park).
If you're driving to Ilosaarirock, we recommend filling your car with other festival-goers – it's not only fun but also eco-friendly!
The arrival of festival customers has a greater environmental impact than any other part of the festival – that's why we recommend everyone to arrive, if possible, by walking, cycling, using public transportation, or carpooling. In addition to saving money, you'll also help protect the environment!
Festival attendees coming from outside Joensuu have the option to stay in the city's hotels, campsites (including RVs), or private accommodations, such as rental homes or apartments provided by local individuals during the Ilosaarirock weekend.
The nearest hotels are located in Joensuu city centre, approximately a 1,5 kilometre distance from the Ilosaarirock festival site. We strongly recommend booking your hotel stay well in advance as the city of Joensuu tends to get very busy during the Ilosaarirock weekend!
Check out the local hotels:
Sokos Hotel Kimmel
Sokos Hotel Vaakuna
Scandic Hotel Joensuu
GreenStar Hotel Joensuu
Lietsu Boutique Aparthotel
Ilosaarirock does not have its own official campsite. However, for festival guests who’d like to camp, we recommend Holiday Linnunlahti, a campsite located right next to the festival area. At the popular Holiday Linnunlahti, accommodation options include camping, rental cottages, and caravan stays.
Guests staying at Holiday Linnunlahti can access the Ilosaarirock festival site directly through their own camping gate.
Holiday Linnunlahti is responsible for the arrangements of its campsite and the sale of accommodation tickets. For any inquiries related to camping, please contact Holiday Linnunlahti directly.
More information and bookings:
www.linnunlahti.fi
[email protected]
In addition to Holiday Linnunlahti, near the Ilosaarirock festival area, you'll find Jokiasema's caravan area, catering to customers staying in motorhomes during the festival weekend. Jokiasema also has a guest harbor for those arriving by water. Jokiasema is responsible for the arrangements and sales of spaces in the caravan area.
Once Ilosaarirock nears, more private accommodation options become available. Accommodations such as locals’ apartments and vacation homes can be searched for on AirBnb or Tori.fi.
Please be aware of possible scammers when reserving your private accommodations! We recommend you book your stay via verified channels or people you know and can identify. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is! Ilosaarirock Festival is not responsible for any possible scams you may encounter when reserving a private accommodation.
Please remember to respect the local residents' privacy in the nearby area and avoid littering as well as loitering in the yards of residential buildings.
Ilosaarirock's festival area, Laulurinne, is a park area with plenty of grass and a cozy beach. Access is mainly along gravel paths. The area is mostly flat, except for a rise leading to the rear festival grounds.
In addition to four stages, Ilosaarirock's festival area offers numerous bars, as well as restaurants and cafes serving a variety of delicious food. There's plenty to eat and drink to suit every taste! Several water points are also available on the festival grounds where you can refill your own water bottle.
Ilosaarirock is an all-ages festival. However, we recommend that children under 12 attend the festival accompanied by a guardian.
If you're bringing children to Ilosaarirock, please prioritize their needs during the festival. Ensure they have a safe and alcohol-free festival experience. Also, consider that the darkening evening and the large crowd of tens of thousands may not be suitable for children.
Some of Ilosaarirock's services are intended for adults aged 18 and above only. These services are available in age-restricted areas, such as all bar areas and two separate VIP areas. Children under 12 are welcome in VIP areas with a guardian until 7:00 PM every festival day. Access to the VIP area requires a VIP ticket for children as well.
The accepted methods of payment at Ilosaarirock are the most common debit cards, credit cards as well as contactless payment and contactless mobile payment methods.
Within the festival area, cash payments are not accepted. Cash is also not accepted as a payment method at the information point located outside the festival, the bike parking area, or Ilosaarirock's designated parking lots.
A deposit is added to the price of all alcoholic beverages sold at Ilosaarirock. A €1 deposit is added to cans, bottles, cups, and glasses. A €5 deposit is added to wine and champagne coolers, as well as buckets. There is no deposit on shot glasses or non-alcoholic beverage containers, such as soda and water cans and bottles.
Deposits can be returned at the bar areas during your next purchase at the counter or at the deposit return point. A maximum of €100 in deposits can be refunded to one payment card per festival day. Refunds will appear on the payment card within 1-3 banking days.
Please note that disruptive behaviour focused solely on collecting deposits or unauthorized collection and return of other festival-goers' deposits is prohibited. The deposit system exists to keep the festival's bar areas as clean as possible, so let's all do our part!
Information Point and Lost & Found
The information point at Ilosaarirock is located near the main entrance of the festival. At the information point, all festival-goers' issues are resolved, from lost tickets to misplaced backpacks. Gate tickets are also sold at the information point if the festival has not sold out in advance.
During the festival opening hours, the information point also serves as a lost and found. For lost valuables during nighttime, inquiries can also be made to the security personnel. All unclaimed lost items are transferred to the North Karelia Lost and Found Service ('Pohjois-Karjalan löytötavarapalvelu') on the Monday after the festival at 12 PM.
There is a paid cloakroom located between the main gate and the security check at the festival area. Each visit to the cloakroom costs 5 euros.
Cloakroom opening hours:
Fri, July 12: 2 PM – 2:30 AM
Sat, July 13: 12 PM – 2 AM
Sun, July 14: 1 PM – 1 AM
Please note that the cloakroom has limited space. Remember to take care of your cloakroom ticket and retrieve your belongings from the cloakroom before the festival closes. Items left in the cloakroom will be transferred to the festival's lost and found at the information point. Ilosaarirock is not responsible for unclaimed items.
Access to the festival area is through a security check. The purpose of the security checks conducted by security personnel is to prevent prohibited items and substances from being brought into the area. Security personnel make the final decision on whether an item or substance is safe to bring into the festival area. You can check the list of allowed and prohibited items below on this page.
The fast lane at the security check is for individuals who do not have any bags or other portable items with them.
Please allow enough time when arriving at the festival – especially during busy times, there may be queues at the security check.
There are plenty of food vendors and eateries around the Ilosaarirock festival grounds serving hungry festival goers all weekend long. All food vendors also serve vegetarian or vegan dishes. Specific dietary requirements have also been taken into account at every single food vendor.
The Ilosaarirock festival site boasts multiple bar areas for all of our over 18-year-old festival guests (the minimum legal drinking age in Finland is 18). Please be prepared to prove your age by presenting your ID! All bars are stocked with a wide selection of excellent beverages and drinks. Non-alcoholic options are also always available in all our bars.
In addition to ordering from and frequenting the various food vendors and bars inside our festival area, you are also allowed to bring your own food and non-alcoholic drinks inside the festival area. Empty re-usable water bottles are also allowed. There are plenty of water taps around the festival site where you can fill your bottle with fresh water. The tap water in the Joensuu region is tested and proven to be of excellent quality! Small juice boxes/cartons (with straws) are also allowed. Please note that you cannot bring glass bottles or bottles that contain or have contained alcohol in them inside the festival area.
Regular-sized packed lunches, such as sandwiches, fruit, candy, snacks etc. are allowed.
Toilets and Hand Washing Stations
Ilosaarirock has several hundred toilets centralized into large, all-ages toilet areas around the festival grounds. Toilets are located near the Soundi Stage area, along the beach road leading to the YleX Stage, and near the main entrance. Brand new toilet areas are situated along the pathways between the YleX and Soundi Stages. Additionally, there are separate water closets (WCs) available in the VIP areas.
The toilets at Ilosaarirock are gender-neutral unisex toilets: areas are divided for both standing and sitting users. The standing area includes urinals.
Accessible toilets are available at each toilet area. Accessible toilets are marked with signs indicating that wheelchair users, others needing accessible toilet facilities, and users of the Toilet Pass ('Vessapassi') are entitled to use the accessible toilets and bypass any queues.
Each large toilet area is equipped with handwashing facilities with running water and eco-friendly soap. Additionally, there are separate taps at water points specifically for filling water bottles and handwashing. Handwashing stations are not for filling water bottles.
In the Ilosaarirock Shop located at the Main Stage area, you can purchase exclusive Ilosaarirock merchandise featuring the festival's visual identity, including t-shirts, patches, canvas bags, and hoodies.
The Ilosaarirock Shop also offers band t-shirts and other fan merchandise from the artists performing at the festival.
Ilosaarirock merchandise can also be bought in advance at shop.ilosaarirock.fi.
Near the Rentolava stage, you'll find Pohjois-Karjalan Sähkö's (PKS Sähkökauppa) point where you can recharge not only yourself but also your phone. These free phone charging stations are available for all festival attendees. Additionally, phone charging stations can be found inside both VIP areas.
Please remember to protect your hearing by using earplugs or earmuffs. Earplugs are available for purchase at various points around the festival grounds, including a dedicated earplug sales booth near the Main Stage area, at the information desk, from roaming vendors around the area, and at the Ilosaari Lounge. These same points also sell disposable raincoats.
Ilosaarirock offers seating and resting areas throughout the festival grounds. The largest seating areas can be found at Ruokakeidas, the courtyard area in front of Ilosaari Lounge, and at the Soundi Stage bar area.
A significant portion of the festival grounds is grassy, providing comfortable spots to sit and enjoy the atmosphere of the best weekend of the summer.
Smoking is prohibited in front of all stages, in performance tents, and among dense crowds. Designated smoking areas with ashtrays are provided throughout the festival grounds. These smoking restrictions also apply to electronic cigarettes.
Please smoke in designated smoking areas to ensure a pleasant experience for everyone attending. Some festival-goers may have respiratory conditions, and it's important to respect their right to enjoy the best weekend of the summer without discomfort. Please dispose of cigarette butts and nicotine pouches responsibly in the provided ashtrays.
Elevate your festival weekend to new heights and indulge in the ultimate VIP experience at Ilosaarirock this summer! With a VIP ticket, you'll experience this summer's best weekend in a unique way. In addition to the festival's lineup and regular services, you'll gain access to two exclusive VIP areas, where everything you need for a five-star festival experience awaits you, without compromising on quality!
Ilosaarirock offers three-day VIP tickets, which are available on Lippu.fi and Tiketti's online stores and physical outlets. One-day VIP tickets will be available for purchase at a later dater.
VIP ticket prices, valid from July 18th until July 31st, 2024:
VIP 3 DAYS starting from 319 €
Possible service and delivery fees will be added on to the ticket prices at point of purchase.
Ilosaarirock's VIP ticket (18+) includes:
- Ilosaarirock's all music and art experiences, as well as all area services
- Entry to the festival area on specified days
- Access to both VIP areas, namely the Main Stage VIP and Star VIP located next to the YleX Stage, which are both equipped with special restaurant and beverage services, seating areas, and flush toilets.
- Personal VIP wristband for easy access to festival and VIP areas
- VIP wristband exchange point
- VIP lane at the festival's main gate and security checks
- VIP cloakroom services and three (3) free visits per day
Please note that Ilosaarirock's VIP tickets do not include food or drinks. VIP food is sold as individual portions at both VIP areas, so there's no need to purchase or reserve in advance.
Ilosaarirock's VIP experience gives you access to two different VIP areas located right by the festival's biggest stages, the Main Stage and the YleX Stage. Both areas feature comfortably furnished VIP spaces with high-quality services. The VIP bars offer beverages to suit every taste: from champagne to craft beers and from shots to delicious mocktails.
Main Stage VIP
The Main Stage VIP is a two-story building located near Ilosaarirock's largest stage, surrounded by a cozy courtyard offering the best views of both the stage and the audience. The first floor of the VIP building features a wide selection of bars, and the numerous seating areas in the courtyard allow guests to enjoy the performances on the Main Stage or simply bask in the best days of summer. The Main Stage VIP guests are also served by the VIP food station of Restaurant Kerubi, where they can purchase snacks such as delicious tapas plates, filled bao buns, or tasty regular or sweet potato fries.
There's no need to leave the VIP area even for restroom breaks: the flush toilets inside the area ensure a smooth and pleasant festival experience.
The second floor of the two-story VIP building is reserved exclusively for our VIP box guests.
Star VIP
In our completely renovated Star VIP area, located right next to our brand new YleX Stage, you can relax, enjoy the program on our second-largest stage, sip on some tasty cocktails, eat well, and socialize! With a direct view of the new outdoor stage, even the most popular performances won't be missed by VIP guests. The cozy terrace and comfortable seating areas on the lawn offer space for both partying and resting. Access to the area is through a dedicated gate for VIP guests. The flush toilets exclusively for VIP guests are located right next to the Star VIP area.
Star VIP guests also have the opportunity to enjoy the delicious dishes from Restaurant Kerubi. On offer are delicious tapas plates, tasty burger meals, hearty salads, bao buns, and grill plates, as well as Kerubi's beloved regular and sweet potato fries with dips.
All VIP customers must exchange their tickets for personal VIP wristbands before entering the festival area. The wristband is placed directly on each customer's wrist at the wristband exchange point, after which it serves as an access pass to the festival area and VIP services.
The VIP customers' dedicated wristband exchange point is located near the main entrance of the festival area. VIP tickets can also be exchanged for wristbands at other general wristband exchange points. Detailed schedules for wristband exchange and the locations of wristband exchange points will be updated on this page at a later date.
With the VIP wristband, you can easily navigate through the VIP lanes at the festival's main gate and security checks, straight to the heart of the festival area. You can leave larger items at the cloakroom VIP counter located near the main gate – each VIP wristband automatically includes three free cloakroom visits per festival day.
VIP Food
As a VIP customer, you can enjoy the delicious food from Restaurant Kerubi at both of our VIP areas. VIP food is sold as individual portions, so you can purchase food on-site at the festival.
Age Restrictions and Accessibility
The age limit for Ilosaarirock's VIP areas is 18 years old, in compliance with Finnish regulations. Please be prepared to prove your age upon entering the VIP area. Children under 12 years old are welcome inside the VIP areas accompanied by a guardian until 7:00 PM every festival day.
The VIP services at the festival are not fully accessible. Ilosaarirock takes place in a park area where movement primarily occurs along gravel paths. The event area is flat, except for the ascent leading to the rear area of the festival. Star VIP is located in the rear area and sits on a grassy area. While there are accessible toilets in the VIP areas, the flush toilets are not accessible. The nearest viewing platforms for VIP services are located in the audience areas of the Main Stage and the YleX Stage.
100 % of the Ilosaarirock waste is being recycled or used for energy production. There are recycling bins for biodegradable waste, metal, glass, cardboard, plastic packaging, cans and bottles as well as hazardous waste. Additionally, there are over a hundred bins for combustible waste, and separate bins for cigarette butts.
Volunteers at the numerous recycling stations around the festival site instruct you in sorting your waste into the correct recycling bins!
The plates and cutlery used in Ilosaarirock are made of plastic-free cardboard or biodegradable material. They are sorted into energy waste. We stopped using biodegradable dishes, since the local biowaste processing sites are not able to process waste in the quantities produced by the festival. So, large quantities of food waste are sorted into biowaste and the plates and cutlery are sorted into energy waste.
Ilosaarirock is fully committed to ensuring that everyone is welcome and can attend our festival.
Ilosaarirock is held in a park area where movement primarily occurs along gravel paths. The terrain is mostly flat, with some inclines leading to the back areas of the festival.
At the main entrance, there is an accessible pathway leading into the festival area through a park-like setting. The pathways may have uneven surfaces in some places. There are plenty of signs throughout the area to assist with navigating the festival grounds.
Near the festival area, there is an asphalt parking lot that includes a limited number of free parking spaces for disabled individuals. Parking in these spaces requires a disabled parking permit.
Accessible taxis can stop at the accessible gate on Linnunlahdentie. In addition, other taxis and transport services used by customers with reduced mobility can stop at the racecourse parking area.
You can access the festival area through the main gate as well as a separate accessible gatelocated near the accessible parking area on Linnunlahdentie (entrance from the racecourse side). The path to the accessible entrance is asphalt. Security checks and wristband verification are conducted at this entrance. There is no wristband exchange at the accessible entrance.
In front of all Ilosaarirock's performance stages, there are viewing platforms for customers with reduced mobility, accessible via gentle ramps. The platforms at the Main Stage, YleX Stage, and Soundi Stage are located in all-ages areas, while at the Rentola Stage, they are situated in the age-restricted bar area.
At Ilosaarirock, the main restroom areas feature accessible toilets. Additionally, there are accessible toilets located near the Main Stage and YleX Stage viewing platforms, as well as near the entrance to the Rento Stage bar area.
Accessible toilets are reserved exclusively for persons with reduced mobility, Vessapassi holders, or those otherwise in need of accessible facilities. VIP areas also have accessible toilets available for VIP customers.
A disabled person, who has a right for a Personal Assistant (PA), can bring their PA to the festival free of charge. Both the PA’s and the person being assisted's wristbands can be collected from the information point located near the festival main gate upon arrival to Ilosaarirock. All wristbands are personal and will be attached to your wrist when exchanging them, so collecting a wristband on behalf of someone else is not possible. We recommend you bring a certificate or a form of supporting documentation of your need for a PA, for example an EU Disability Card.
Safety instructions and festival information for the Main Stage, YleX Stage, and Rento Stage will be provided with picture-based interpretation on the stage screens.
This summer, Humak University of Applied Sciences interpreting students will also be present at the Main Stage, providing signed speech interpretation for the stage announcements before each performance on the Main Stage.
If you have any questions, concerns or feedback regarding our accessibility, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at [email protected].
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.
Ilosaarirock belongs to each and every single one of us. There is no place for any kind of harassment or inappropriate behavior at the Ilosaarirock Festival. Let's ensure together that summer’s best weekend is truly the best for everyone.
Respect others
Respect the physical and mental integrity of every festival goer, as well as their autonomy. Remember that no always means no – respect the boundaries set by others. Treat other people's belongings and the surrounding nature with respect as well.
Don't assume
Don't make any assumptions about other people. Embrace everyone with an open, non-judgmental attitude and allow everyone the space to be their most authentic selves.
Ask for consent
Don't touch others without their permission – including any assistive devices. Ask for consent before entering someone else's physical space. Remember that consent must always be mutual.
Treat others with kindness
Don't criticize, mock, discriminate against, or embarrass anyone with your words or actions – not even as a joke. Treat everyone and everything around you with kindness, warmth and respect.
Stand up for others
We are all responsible for creating the atmosphere of summer’s best weekend. Remember that your actions also affect other festival goers. Intervene in inappropriate behavior and stand up for both yourself and others.
Listen and take responsibility
If you receive any feedback about your actions, receive and be open to it. Apologize if you have unintentionally or intentionally hurt other individuals or their property with your words or actions.
If you feel unsafe at the festival or encounter behavior that violates the Rock Etiquette, always turn to the nearest security guard or other festival staff. Let's create summer’s best weekend for everyone together!
At the festival, if you have experienced or witnessed any incidents of harassment, you can also report them anonymously by contacting a trained harassment contact person by phone at +358 50 330 4894 (between July 12th and 15th, 2024).
Safety first! We want all of our customers to be able to concentrate on enjoying the festival with peace of mind. The Ilosaarirock organisers work closely with different authorities to ensure safety at the event, and the festival has indeed been praised for the smooth running and peacefulness of the event – also by the authorities.
We have hundreds of security guards both inside the festival site as well as the area just outside it, ensuring the safety of our customers. The local police and rescue services as well as first aid and support services are also all on duty on the festival grounds.
We also take part in developing even safer ways of organising events in cooperation with various national and international parties. We are constantly planning and mapping out safe alternatives and options for the event organising industry.
Entry to the festival area is through a security check. These checks, conducted by security personnel, aim to prevent the entry of prohibited items and substances. The security personnel have the final say on whether an item or substance is safe to bring into the area. You can check the list of permitted and prohibited items and substances further down this page.
The express lane at the security check is intended for individuals without any bags or other carry-on items.
Please allow extra time for your arrival at the festival, as there may be queues at the security check during peak times.
The Finnish Red Cross (SPR) provides first aid services at Ilosaarirock from Friday to Monday. The main first aid station is located near the main entrance. In addition to the main station, first aid patrols will be circulating the festival area, identifiable by their red SPR vests.
Quick Aid & Repair (or 'Rokkikorjaamo'), located near the bridge leading to the Soundi Stage area, offers fixes, care, and prevention for minor festival scrapes and troubles before they become bigger issues. Here, festival-goers can receive bandages, wound cleaning, and support bandages from SPR's first aid attendants. Additionally, Mieli ry mental health services provide their "Huolituoli" service throughout the festival weekend.
If you experience or witness any harassment situations at the festival, you can report them anonymously by contacting a trained harassment contact person by phone at +358 50 330 4894 (available from July 12–15, 2024).
Dense Crowds and Crowd Surfing
Ilosaarirock attracts tens of thousands of people over one weekend. If you feel anxious or uncomfortable in tight spaces, please avoid dense crowds. Crowds can become particularly tight near the stages, where pressure can build up quickly, creating an uncomfortable situation. If you do find yourself in a densely packed crowd, stay calm and move with the flow rather than resisting. Shout for help if needed.
Crowd surfing and sitting on someone’s shoulders are prohibited for safety reasons. However, mosh pits and wall of death formations, common in heavier music scenes, are allowed at Ilosaarirock. These create more energetic and intense dancing areas in front of the stage. Remember the rule: never leave a pit buddy behind – help anyone who falls and ensure they are okay. Those on the edges of the pit should assist anyone trying to exit safely back into the general crowd. Security personnel monitor the pits and can intervene if things get too intense.
The Ilosaarirock Rento Stage is on a beach, where you can cool off in the water during the day. However, swimming under the influence/while intoxicated is not safe. The swimming area perimeter is marked with buoys on the water. For the sake of your own safety, please only swim in the designated swimming area.
All ages are welcome at Ilosaarirock. We recommend that children under the age of 12 be accompanied by an adult.
Please keep in mind to enjoy the festival on the kids’ terms. Being in the throngs of festival goers as the night is drawing in is not the right place for children. Please make sure the children have a substance-free and safe festival experience.
Bringing animals into Ilosaarirock is not allowed. This also applies to assistance dogs.
The recommended sound-level exposure values might be exceeded on the festival grounds. Protect your hearing by using earplugs or noise-reduction ear muffs.
Both the festival and camping areas are surrounded by fences. Please leave them in place, as they are there to ensure the safety of festival attendees and local residents.
Climbing on any event structures, the famous Ilosaarirock letters, fences, or any other infrastructure is strictly prohibited.
Anyone caught damaging fences or structures will be held responsible for the repair costs.
Various video and photography devices are allowed at the festival, including DSLRs, GoPro-type cameras, tablets, and other similar devices. However, please leave large flashes, lights, and tripods at home. Selfie sticks are permitted, but drones are prohibited for safety reasons.
Please note that professional recording of performances without the explicit permission of the artist and the event organizer is strictly forbidden.
Remember to respect the privacy of other festival-goers – do not publish photos of others online without their consent. Security personnel have the right to prohibit photography, such as at the request of an artist during a performance.
We want all our festival-goers to have the freedom to enjoy the festival. However, please take care of yourself and your friends. Keep track of your friends' whereabouts and let them know your location too. If you see a threatening situation, whether it involves people or structures, report it immediately to the nearest security personnel.
For example:
- Telescopic rods (including selfie sticks)
- Signs made out of laminated paper or cardboard (max. A3 in size) and soft flags
- Sealed and transparent plastic bottles (max. 1,5-litres, non-alcoholic)
- Empty transparent plastic bottles (max. 1,5-litres, no alcohol bottles
- Empty re-usable drinking bottles – both transparent and non-transparent (excluding alcohol containers)
- Hairsprays and other cosmetic products
- Foldable camping chairs
- Small umbrellas
- DSLR or SLR cameras and GoPro cameras
- Snacks and food for small children
- E-cigarette/vape supplies
- Common over-the-counter medications, such as ibuprofen/aspirin
- Medicine and medical devices prescribed to you by a doctor
Prohibited Items and Substances
- Drugs and your own alcoholic drinks, alcohol bottles and containers
- Glass bottles and containers
- Metal food packaging
- Over 1,5-litre plastic bottles or opened bottles
- Own walkie-talkies and radio transmitters
- Long/stick umbrellas
- Laser pens/pointers and powerful thrower flashlights/torches
- Firearms or replicas or items resembling them, cartridges and explosives including flares and fireworks, edged or bladed weapons, needles (without a justified reason) and other items that can be used for cutting/jabbing
- Unnecessary tools (e.g. multi-function tools)
- Other items/objects or substances that could be used for harming others
- Megaphones, air horns and other noisemakers
- Drones, remote control aircrafts and other Unmanned Aerial Vehicles not used by the organiser or the authorities
- Crappy attitude towards your wonderful fellow human beings
We reserve the right to make any changes to these lists, and they may be updated at any given time. The final decision about whether an item or a substance is safe to bring into the festival site or not is made by the security guards.
You can download the festival site map and the city map above 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 site map (PDF)
Download the city map (PDF)
