OUR EXPERIENCES
Opera as you've never experienced it—set in a medieval castle on the shores of Lake Saimaa, Finland’s largest lake. As the biggest opera festival in Northern Europe, it combines artistic excellence with the pristine beauty of Finnish nature.

ABOUT US
The Savonlinna Opera Festival is Finland’s premiere cultural event. World renowned for its high-quality opera performances and concerts, every summer it brings music lovers from across the globe to the charming lakeside city of Savonlinna. The month-long festival is held in Olavinlinna, a towering medieval castle by Finland’s largest lake. This creates a uniquely dramatic ambiance for its 70 000 visitors. Once inside, festival-goers are dazzled by classics and rarely seen works as well as world premieres and visiting productions from esteemed opera houses like La Scala and the Bolshoi Theatre.

OUR IMPACT
Savonlinna Opera Festival shows that a world‑class cultural event can enrich its community while advancing sustainability. By building a member‑led non‑profit with a high self‑financing ratio and a significant local economic impact, the festival strengthens local resilience. The combination of employment for more than 500 local residents and opportunities for 400 volunteers fosters a sense of ownership and social cohesion. The festival generates €24 million in revenue for the region each year. Through initiatives like the Timo Mustakallio competition, cooperation with schools and daily free events, it nurtures talent and makes opera accessible to broad audiences. EcoCompass and Sustainable Travel Finland certifications, renewable energy use and recycling practices demonstrate concrete reductions in environmental impact. Collectively, these actions show how SOF’s governance, community engagement, environmental responsibility and educational efforts deliver tangible, positive change in Savonlinna and beyond.

DETAILS
To learn more, contact: info@operafestival.fi

What are your minimum and maximum group sizes?
1-200

Do you require visitors to pre-book?
Yes

Do you have group rates?
Yes

Do you pay commissions to travel advisors?
Yes

What languages do you offer your services in?
Finnish, English, German

When are you open?
Open year round, with limited service during August.

What accommodations do you make for people living with disabilities?
We support the EU Disability Card initiative. If the card includes an “A” symbol, one assistant or companion enters for free. Otherwise, the assistant receives 50% off. The assistant must help the cardholder to their seat. Aditionally we have a wheelchair service.