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The 45th edition of the international Tampere Jazz Happening, which will be held from 29 October to 1 November 2026, offers the first taste of a festival programme put together by its new Artistic Director, Martyna van Nieuwland.

The renovation of the Tullikamari Cultural Centre will be completed in early autumn 2026.

On All Saints’ Day weekend a diverse set of music played once again as Tampere Jazz Happening filled the venues at Tulli area with modern jazz for the 44th time. Martyna van Nieuwland has been appointed as the successor to the festival’s long-serving Artistic Director, Juhamatti Kauppinen, who is now retiring.

The most esteemed recognitions in Finnish jazz were presented in Tampere on Friday, 31 October. The Finnish Jazz Federation awarded the Yrjö Award to vocalist Aili Ikonen, the Andania Lifetime Achievement Award to Bosse Mellberg, Chair of Korppoo Jazz Association, and the Taimi Award for a talented young musician to drummer Veikka Kajamies. The Varjo-Yrjö Award, given by Yle’s Jazzradio for contributions to Finnish jazz culture, was awarded to Juhamatti Kauppinen, the retiring artistic director and producer of the Tampere Jazz Happening.

The 44th international Tampere Jazz Happening will be held from 30 October to 2 November 2025. Immerse yourself in the current trends of jazz music at Paja Kongressi, Telakka and Tampere Hall with eight concert events and 21 performing ensembles.

Concert events at Paja Kongressi and Tampere Hall take several hours. To avoid being caught out by hunger, please read this article on restaurant services at the venues and make table reservations in advance where possible.

This autumn, Tampere Jazz Happening will be preceded by two special warm-up evenings.

The 44th international Tampere Jazz Happening will be held from 30 October to 2 November 2025.

Tampere Jazz Happening has found new venues for autumn 2025, when the Tullikamari will be under renovation.