Avanti! Summer Sounds

A week-long chamber-music festival under the founding artistic eye of Esa-Pekka Salonen.

For an event that completely flips the script on what classical music can be, head over to Porvoo for the Avanti! Summer Sounds festival. The Avanti! Chamber Orchestra is famous for its playful, boundary-pushing attitude, and this summer gathering is their playground. Forget stiff concert halls and formal attire—here, incredible music is performed in a relaxed, idyllic riverside town setting. The programming is always creative, surprising, and accessible to everyone, mixing contemporary pieces with timeless classics in a way that feels utterly fresh and deeply moving.

What recommends: A wonderful choice for a summer day trip. Take a stroll through the old wooden streets of Porvoo, enjoy a nice lunch by the river, and top it off with a concert that will completely change how you listen to classical instruments.