Volunteering
Volunteer applications for the 2025 edition of Ilosaarirock are now closed – a huge thank you to everyone who applied!
We’ve been in touch with all applicants by email from [email protected]. If you don’t see a message from us, make sure to check your spam folder too – sometimes our emails like to take the scenic route.
Everyone selected as a volunteer will receive a full info pack and instructions on how to arrive for your volunteer shifts. Be sure to go through all the info carefully – it’s packed with need-to-know details about how things work in practice.
Every volunteer will receive a personal voucher – your staff ticket – by email at the start of Ilosaarirock week. Vouchers are sent to the email address you provided in your application. You’ll swap your voucher for a staff wristband at our staff point in the lobby of Joensuu Ice Hall.
The Ilosaarirock staff is here to help volunteers with any questions or concerns before and after the festival via email at [email protected]. During the festival, the staff point is located at Joensuu Ice Hall (Kisapolku 6), right next to the festival area. Volunteers will pick up their staff wristbands, meal tickets and staff shirt at the staff point. The staff point is open from Thursday to Sunday during the festival week.
Staff point opening hours
Thu 17 July 9:00–20:00
Fri 18 July 9:00–20:00
Sat 19 July 10:00–19:00
Sun 20 July 12:00–16:00
There are a lot of volunteers at Ilosaarirock, and many of them arrive at the staff point at the same time. So please come in good time and bring the staff voucher you received by email, along with a valid ID. You don’t need to print your voucher, a digital version on your phone is enough.
The staff shirt is only worn while on shift – after all, the summer's best crew deserves to stand out! While wearing the shirt, you're ready to help and answer all kinds of questions from festival-goers. Volunteers can keep the shirt as a memento. You don’t need to wear the shirt when you're off duty, especially if you’re heading to enjoy the festival yourself.
All volunteers receive a staff wristband, which serves as identification and as your access pass during the festival weekend. When you’re not volunteering, you’re free to enjoy the festival and catch the shows.
During your volunteer shifts, you can store your personal items at your assigned volunteer station. The general festival cloakroom is located near the main gates and costs 5€ per visit.
Due to limited parking space, there is no separate parking area for volunteers. You can purchase a parking spot in the day parking area next to the festival site for 27€/day from the Ilosaarirock ticket shop (via Ticketmaster). There is a bicycle parking area near the festival site for bikes and personal e-scooters. Parking a bike costs 3€ per visit and is paid on-site by card.
All volunteers receive a hot meal on their volunteer days at the Ilosaarirock staff canteen. The canteen is located at Restaurant Puisto ('Ravintola Puisto') in Science Park ('Tiedepuisto'), right next to the festival area. Meals are served in exchange for a meal ticket, which is preloaded onto the chip in your wristband. Meal tickets for those volunteering before the festival will be handed out by the team supervisor.
Our volunteers' own break hut, Taukotupa, is located behind the Sound Stage, with access from the YleX Stage side. Ilosaarirock volunteers get free coffee and tea at Taukotupa when using their own mug, from morning until evening. If you don’t have a mug, you can buy one for 1€. After that, you can refill it for free as much as your mug can handle.
Taukotupa also sells snacks and soft drinks at self-cost prices. There are options for different diets, including vegan and gluten-free. Toilets are also available.
Volunteers coming from outside central Joensuu can stay at the volunteer hall accommodation from Friday 18 July at 12:00 until Monday 21 July at 10:00. If you noted in your application that you need accommodation, a spot has been reserved for you and you’ll receive more detailed info by email. If your volunteer shifts are scheduled before or after the festival, you’ll need to arrange your own accommodation.
The hall accommodation has limited capacity and is only for volunteers, no accommodation tickets are sold. If you'd prefer to stay at Holiday Linnunlahti camping site, you can purchase a camping ticket at your own expense.
If, for some serious reason, you are unable to attend your assigned shifts, please contact us immediately at [email protected].
Customer Service
Most volunteer activities at Ilosaarirock involve customer service. These roles include helping out at the cloakroom, wristband exchange, info desk and staff support points. Customer service is a great fit for volunteers of all ages, and no special experience is needed – just a positive, attentive attitude and a friendly smile for both festival guests and staff.
Recycling and Clean-up
Our recycling and clean-up team helps keep the festival site looking great and ensures that waste ends up where it belongs. This team includes both recycling guides and clean-up patrols who move around the festival area. As a recycling and clean-up volunteer you’ll likely be on your feet a lot, so comfortable footwear is recommended. No special skills are needed, and all recycling practices will be reviewed together before the festival weekend.
Catering
The catering crew ensures that all festival workers and volunteers stay fed and energized. Volunteers prepare and serve coffee, tea and light snacks in spaces like our beloved Taukotupa (a Break House for all staff members). This team is open to volunteers of all ages and doesn’t require prior experience – although having a hygiene passport or background in food service is a nice bonus and should definitely be mentioned in the application.
Festival Site Decoration
Site decoration covers all the visual elements seen around the festival area – from large-scale art and striking structures to smaller details and decorative touches. Volunteers in site decoration help with finalising the festival site to make sure Laulurinne looks impressive, inviting and full of character throughout the weekend. The activities are hands-on, but no special skills or artistic eye are needed!
All-Rounders
The all-rounder team is a great fit for those interested in being involved in many different areas. Activities may vary from one shift to another, so flexibility and a curious mindset are especially valuable. This team is well suited for returning volunteers or anyone looking to get a broad sense of all the different things the summer’s best crew gets up to.