FinnFest USA
FinnFest USA is an annual festival, typically held in the summer, in locations throughout the United States of America. Aiming to celebrate Finland, Finnish America, and Finnish culture, the festival is organized by a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with a national office maintained by its president, located presently in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
The inaugural festival was held in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1983 with approximately 1,000 people attending. Subsequent festivals have taken place in locations throughout the country, typically hosted by communities with connections to Finnish-American cultural history. Attendance has varied from 2,000 to 7,000, depending on the location. Many attendants, performers and lecturers also include visitors from Finland. Festival events include lectures, classes, concerts, films, theatrical performances, dances, exhibitions and ceremonies. The festivals are financed by registration fees, event tickets, raffles, and many forms of donation and sponsorship.
2020 and 2021 being held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2023 festival was held in Duluth, Minnesota.
Past sites
- 1983: Leamington Hotel & Loring Park
- 1984: Fitchburg State University
- 1985: Finlandia University
- 1986: University of California, Berkeley
- 1987: Schoolcraft College
- 1988: University of Delaware
- 1989: University of Washington
- 1990: Finlandia University
- 1991: Bryant Park
- 1992: University of Minnesota Duluth
- 1993: California Lutheran University
- 1994: Northern Illinois University
- 1995: Lewis & Clark College
- 1996: Northern Michigan University
- 1997: All Seasons Arena
- 1998: University of Southern Maine
- 1999: University of Washington
- 2000: Mel Lastman Square
- 2001: Villanova University
- 2002: University of Minnesota
- 2004: Bryant Park
- 2005: Northern Michigan University
- 2006: Astoria [High School (Oregon)|Astoria]/Naselle High Schools
- 2007: Kent [State University at Ashtabula]
- 2008: Duluth Entertainment Convention Center
- 2009: Holland America MS Westerdam
- 2010: GFL Memorial Gardens
- 2011: Town and Country Resort Convention Center
- 2012: DoubleTree - Reid Park
- 2013: Michigan Technological University & Finlandia University
- 2014: Hyatt Regency Conference Center
- 2015: Kleinhans Music Hall
- 2016: Holland America MS Veendam
- 2017: Hilton Minneapolis, Minnesota Orchestral Hall & American Swedish Institute
- 2018: University of Tampere
- 2019: Sheraton Detroit Novi
- 2023: Duluth Entertainment Convention Center
- 2024: