What Finlandia Foundation National Is Bringing to FinnFest

• Ruut: 2026 Performer of the Year — Hear the Finnish-born singer, pianist and storyteller whose music draws inspiration from Finnish mythology, cultural heritage and the Kalevala.
• Jay Smith: 2026 Lecturer of the Year — Discover the little-known story of John Morton, the Finnish American founder whose deciding vote helped move the colonies toward independence.
• A free night of theatre — See the premiere of MORTON: The Forgotten Founder at Minnehaha Park—then stay for traditional Finnish music, singing and dancing with Lauluaika.
• Young Leaders at the American Swedish Institute — Meet emerging leaders, professionals and community builders helping shape the future of Finnish America. This is an excellent networking opportunity for young professionals who are Finnish, Finnish-American, or interested in Finland and the Nordic countries.

Plan Your FinnFest Weekend

A Partnership You Can Hear, See and Experience

Some sponsorships appear as a logo at the bottom of a page. Finlandia Foundation National’s partnership with FinnFest USA is woven through the entire festival experience.

You will hear it in the powerful piano and vocals of Ruut. You will encounter it in Jay Smith’s exploration of a forgotten chapter of American history. You will see it brought to life onstage in MORTON: The Forgotten Founder. You will feel it when Lauluaika’s music fills the Minnehaha Park Pavilion and people begin to dance.

And on Sunday, you will see the story continue as Finlandia Foundation National’s Young Leaders gather at the American Swedish Institute to build relationships, network, and imagine what comes next.

Together, these experiences reflect the heart of Finlandia Foundation National’s mission: preserving Finnish American history and culture, building connections with contemporary Finland and creating opportunities for future generations to take part.

Ruut Brings Finnish Mythology into the Present

Finnish-born singer, pianist, author and educator Ruut DeMeo—known professionally as Ruut—is Finlandia Foundation National’s 2026 Performer of the Year.

For more than two decades, Ruut has built a creative life around music, storytelling and the belief that art can help people remember where they came from while discovering something new about themselves.

Known in Baltimore as the city’s “piano girl,” she has released nine independent albums and performed internationally. Her performances combine commanding piano work, expressive vocals and deeply personal storytelling.

Her newest creative work reaches back toward Finland. Ruut’s upcoming album, Motherland, draws from Finnish mythology, cultural memory and oral storytelling traditions. The project is closely connected to her forthcoming novel, which reimagines the characters and world of the Kalevala.

At FinnFest, audiences will have opportunities to experience Ruut as both a performer and a Finnish-born woman creating a life and body of work in America. She will also join a conversation featuring five Finnish-born women artists whose work spans music, writing, visual art and performance.

Ruut’s work is a reminder that Finnish heritage is not something preserved only in archives. It continues to evolve through the artists who interpret it, challenge it and carry it forward.

See Ruut at FinnFest

A Forgotten Finnish American—and a Vote That Shaped a Nation

As the United States marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Finlandia Foundation National is helping FinnFest audiences rediscover an important Finnish-American connection to the nation’s founding.

John Morton was a Pennsylvania delegate to the Continental Congress and a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Although his name is unfamiliar to many Americans today, his decision played a pivotal role in moving the colonies toward independence.

Morton cast a deciding vote from Pennsylvania in favor of independence, helping unite the colonies behind separation from Britain. He was also of Finnish descent.

At FinnFest, John “Jay” E. Smith, Finlandia Foundation National’s 2026 Lecturer of the Year, will bring Morton’s story back into public view.

Smith is a trained public historian, researcher and archivist dedicated to making history accessible, engaging and relevant. His work bridges the distance between academic research and the stories communities tell about themselves.

Through presentations, writing, archival research and interactive storytelling, Smith helps audiences understand not only what happened in the past, but why it continues to matter. His exploration of John Morton asks us to reconsider whose stories are remembered, whose are overlooked and how Finnish Americans helped shape the larger American story.

History Moves from the Lecture Hall to the Stage

The story of John Morton will also come alive through a new theatrical production created in recognition of America’s 250th anniversary.

Finlandia Foundation National and Frank Theatre, together with FinnFest USA, present the premiere of:

MORTON: The Forgotten Founder
A History Play with Music
In Honor of the Nation’s 250th Anniversary
By Laurie Flanigan Hegge
Directed and Produced by Wendy Knox

Saturday, September 19, 2026
Play begins at 5:30 p.m.
Minnehaha Park Pavilion, near Sea Salt
One performance only—free and open to everyone

What Makes a Revolution a Revolution?

MORTON: The Forgotten Founder explores the choices, convictions and personal consequences behind one of the most important decisions in American history.

Morton was not simply casting a vote. He was taking a position that divided communities, families and political leaders. His decision helped break Pennsylvania’s deadlock and move the colonies toward a united declaration of independence.

Through theatre and music, the production invites audiences to look beyond the familiar names of the American Revolution and meet a forgotten founder whose Finnish roots form a remarkable connection between Finnish American history and the birth of the United States.

MORTON: The Forgotten Founder was commissioned by Finlandia Foundation National. The play will kick off with a short introduction about John Morton, his life and history, by Finlandia Foundation National’s Lecturer of the Year, Jay Smith.

No FinnFest ticket is required for this free Saturday evening performance.

RSVP coming soon

When the Play Ends, the Finn Hall Comes Alive

The evening does not end with the final curtain.

Following the play, the Minnehaha Park Pavilion will fill with Finnish and Finnish American folk music as Lauluaika, whose name means “Song Time,” invites the community to stay, listen and dance.

Based in the Twin Cities, Lauluaika was formed in 2016 by musicians who share a commitment to learning, preserving and teaching the music and dances once enjoyed in Finnish gathering places and old Finn Halls.

Their repertoire includes Finnish couples dances such as waltzes, polkas, humppa, jenkka, masurkka and hambo, as well as lively group dances for all ages. The band also enjoys discovering newly composed music that captures the spirit of Finnish heritage—connecting the traditional sounds of Finnish America with the communities enjoying them today.

Come for the play. Stay for the music, singing and dancing. Bring your family, meet new people and experience the welcoming spirit of an old-fashioned Finnish community gathering.

Saturday, September 19 · Immediately following the play · Free

Young Leaders: the Story Looks Forward

FinnFest moves to the American Swedish Institute on Sunday, September 20, for a day of music, art, history and community.

It is also where Finlandia Foundation National will turn its attention toward the future.

The Finlandia Foundation National Young Leaders Networking Event will bring together emerging leaders, young professionals, cultural advocates and community builders who share an interest in Finland and Finnish America.

The Young Leaders Board (YLB) introduces new perspectives and energy into Finlandia Foundation National’s work. Its members help create ways for younger generations to explore their heritage, develop relationships with modern Finland and take active roles in sustaining Finnish-American culture.

The gathering offers more than networking. It creates a place for people to find one another, exchange ideas and consider what Finnish American identity, leadership and cultural engagement might look like in the decades ahead.

RSVP coming soon

Preserving the Story—and Creating What Comes Next

For more than 70 years, Finlandia Foundation National has championed Finnish-American heritage while building bridges between modern Finland and the United States.

Its work includes cultural programs, performers, lecturers, grants, scholarships, Finnish language support and the preservation of important Finnish American archives and artifacts.

That work is visible throughout FinnFest 2026. It can be found in a historical story recovered from obscurity, a new play commissioned for America’s 250th anniversary, an artist reimagining Finnish mythology, a folk band preserving the music of old Finn Halls and young leaders preparing to carry the culture forward.

This is more than a collection of programs. It is a story moving from the past, through the present and into the future. And everyone is invited to be part of it.

Join Us at FinnFest USA 2026

September 17–20, 2026 · Minneapolis, Minnesota

FinnFest is North America’s premier experience of Finnish and Nordic culture and learning. Enjoy four days of live music, performances, history, art, films, workshops, cultural experiences and community.

Come for one day or experience the entire festival. You do not have to be Finnish to belong at FinnFest. You simply need to be curious.

Long before Finnish immigrants came to work in America’s copper and iron mines, steel mills, docks and forests, they were building new lives on homesteads around Cokato, Minnesota—just 50 miles west of Minneapolis.

Departing from the Hilton Minneapolis, this guided bus tour explores the urban and rural communities that shaped Finnish American life in Minnesota.

History Comes to Life

Your guide is Harvey Barberg—a deeply knowledgeable local historian with personal roots in both Minneapolis and rural Cokato. Harvey knows the people, places and stories that make this community so remarkable, and he’ll bring that history to life throughout the day.

The tour includes five extended stops at historic and contemporary Finnish American sites, offering a fascinating look at how Finnish traditions took root in Minnesota—and how they continue today.

Explore Historic Temperance Corner

Finnish immigrants joined a Norwegian homesteading community near Cokato in 1864. There, they established farms and created a close-knit community shaped by faith, perseverance and Finnish tradition.

At the same time, Finnish immigrants were building a vibrant urban community in Minneapolis. Employment opportunities drew newcomers into the city, where Finnish neighborhoods grew while remaining closely connected to the rural community around Cokato.

In 1895, local farmers created their own secular gathering place, which became known as Temperance Corner. Today, this extraordinary historic site includes:

• The Temperance Hall, built in 1896 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places
• An 1865 log cabin
• An 1868 sauna—the first Finnish sauna built in Minnesota and still standing today
• An 1891 schoolhouse

These buildings have been lovingly preserved by the Cokato Finnish American Historical Society.

And because no Finnish festival adventure should go without good food, your visit to Temperance Corner includes a catered pasty lunch!

From Historic Churches to Modern Sauna Culture

The tour also visits the Cokato Museum, where exhibits share the broader Nordic story of the region.

At Annandale’s open-air museum, you’ll visit the Old Tin Church, a former Laestadian Lutheran church that reflects the community’s strong religious roots.

But this tour isn’t only about the past. Finnish American culture remains alive and active throughout the region. A visit to Sauna Supply, operated by a new generation of young Finnish Americans, offers a look at how Finnish heritage is being carried forward—and reimagined for the 21st century.

Come hungry for history, Finnish culture and, of course, pasties!

Ready to Join Us?

Seats are limited, so don’t wait to reserve your place on this special FinnFest experience.

The Cokato Finnish American Historical Society reserves the right to cancel the tour if fewer than 25 people register.

We’re thrilled to share one more experience included with your FinnFest Sunday ticket: a visit to the American Swedish Institute!

FinnFest guests can explore Eyes as Big as Plates, a remarkable photography exhibition created by Finnish-Norwegian artist duo Riitta Ikonen and Karoline Hjorth.

The exhibit began as a playful exploration of Nordic folklore and has grown into an international project featuring people quite literally immersed in the natural world. Using grasses, branches, leaves, seaweed and other materials gathered from each person’s surroundings, the artists create wonderfully strange and beautiful portraits that explore aging, identity, nature and our relationship with the environment.

More than 30 of these large-scale portraits are displayed throughout the historic Turnblad Mansion—and the setting couldn’t be more fitting.

The exhibit has a natural connection to FinnFest. It brings together Finnish creativity, Nordic storytelling, folklore, environmental awareness and a wonderfully unexpected sense of humor. It invites us to look at nature—and at one another—with fresh eyes.

There’s More to Explore

Your Sunday FinnFest ticket also includes a self-guided tour of the Turnblad Mansion, one of Minneapolis’s most fascinating historic homes.

Built in the early 1900s for Swedish newspaper publisher Swan Turnblad and his family, the mansion is filled with intricate woodwork, decorative plasterwork, stained glass and details worth slowing down to see. You can wander at your own pace while experiencing the Eyes as Big as Plates portraits throughout the mansion.

Be sure to leave time for the ASI Museum Store, too. It is truly an experience of its own, with a beautifully curated collection of Nordic gifts, books, home goods, jewelry, foods and wonderfully unexpected finds.

And then there’s FIKA Café.

Fika is the Swedish tradition of pausing for coffee, something delicious and time together—and the café is a perfect place to settle in after exploring the museum. FinnFest Festival Director Monica Hendrickson is especially hopeful that the café’s potato leek soup will be on the menu that day.

Thank You to Our Host Partner

We are incredibly grateful to the American Swedish Institute for serving as a FinnFest host partner this year and welcoming our guests into this extraordinary space.

Finland and Sweden each have their own histories, traditions and identities, but FinnFest has always been about creating connections—across generations, communities and the Nordic world. We can’t imagine a better way to spend Sunday than surrounded by art, history, culture and a little fika.

Join us Sunday and experience it all with your FinnFest ticket. We can’t wait to explore ASI with you!

Come for FinnFest. Stay for the art, the mansion—and maybe a bowl of that potato leek soup.

If there’s one thread that runs through every day of FinnFest, it’s music. It spills out of the concert halls and into the hallways, the coffee breaks, the late-night conversations. Ask anyone what they remember most from a FinnFest weekend, and the answer is almost always a song — a melody that caught them off guard, a performer they’d never heard of who became a new favorite, a familiar tune that suddenly felt like home.

So why does music matter this much to Finnish culture? And what makes the FinnFest 2026 lineup worth planning your whole weekend around? Here’s the deeper story.

Why music is at the heart of Finnish identity

Finland is a country that has often expressed itself most powerfully through sound. For a nation whose language and independence were hard-won, music has long carried what words alone couldn’t — identity, memory, resistance, and joy. From the runo-song tradition that shaped the national epic Kalevala, to Sibelius, to a modern scene that produces everything from folk revival to hip-hop, Finns have used music to say this is who we are.

That same instinct shows up in Finnish American communities. Song was one of the things immigrants could carry across the ocean with nothing but memory. It survived in church basements, dance halls, and kitchen tables long after other traditions faded. When you hear live Finnish music at FinnFest, you’re not just hearing a performance — you’re hearing something that refused to be left behind.

That’s the “why.” Now, the “who.”

A new chapter: five Finland-born women, working as artists in America

One of the defining stories of the FinnFest 2026 lineup is a group of five women — Eeppi Ursin, Ida Metsberg, Petra Jasmiina, Johanna Telander, and Ruut — all born in Finland and now building their artistic lives in the United States. Their work spans music, visual art, and performance, and together they represent something bigger than any single show: a living, present-tense connection between Finland and America.

This matters because it reframes what “Finnish heritage” means. FinnFest honors the past, but this lineup insists that Finnish culture in America isn’t only something inherited from grandparents — it’s something being made right now by artists who carry Finland in their voices and choose to create here.

Eeppi Ursin is one of Finland’s most distinctive voices — a singer, songwriter, and performer whose artistry bridges Finnish tradition and contemporary American music culture.

Ida Metsberg brings her own voice to the lineup, and appears in collaboration with guitarist and songwriter Kyle Gray Young — a pairing that blends Finnish sensibility with American roots.

Petra Jasmiina, Johanna Telander, and Ruut round out this remarkable group, each working across genre and form, each telling a piece of the same larger story.

Storytellers, folk voices, and genre-crossers

Alongside these artists, the 2026 lineup reaches across styles and generations:

Jonathan Rundman explores Finnish American identity through music, literature, and history — moving between folk, rock, and Nordic storytelling with warmth and wit. If you want to understand the Finnish American experience through song, start here.

Charlotte Loukola will return to the Tori stage with her violin and looping pedal with an all-new set that will amaze and delight everyone. She was Finlandia Foundation National’s Performer of the Year last year and we’re lucky to have her back for another FinnFest!

From traditional folk music to modern singer-songwriters, The Lindula Brothers, Northern Stars Sámi Girls, and Kristie Cunningham will represent three different aspects of Finnish American music of northern Minnesota.

Renee Vaughan widens the lens to the broader Nordic world, bringing Swedish folk traditions to life through the nyckelharpa, storytelling, and dance across the Upper Midwest — a fitting nod to FinnFest 2026’s home at the Hilton Minneapolis Downtown and the American Swedish Institute.

These aren’t just concerts

Here’s what’s easy to miss until you’re in the room: at FinnFest, the music is the conversation. A folk melody becomes a doorway into a family’s immigration story. A contemporary set becomes proof that Finnish culture is still evolving. A shared chorus becomes the moment a room full of strangers realizes they belong to the same story.

Whether you’re discovering a new favorite artist or reconnecting with songs you’ve known your whole life, the music at FinnFest is one of the most direct, most emotional ways to experience Finnish culture without ever leaving North America.

Plan your musical weekend

The full performance schedule spans all four days, September 17–20, across festival stages and events. To make sure you don’t miss the sets that matter most to you, secure your festival pass early — and keep an eye on finnfest.us for performer times and any separately ticketed special experiences.

Music is just one thread of the FinnFest story. Explore the rest in our main guide: Why FinnFest Is the Best Place to Experience Finland Without a Passport.

FinnFest USA 2026 · September 17–20 · Hilton Minneapolis Downtown · Get your festival pass · Become one of the Founding 250

You don’t need to board a plane or travel thousands of miles across the
Atlantic to experience the heart of Finland. Every year, FinnFest brings
the traditions, stories, music, and spirit of Finland to North America,
creating a celebration that welcomes everyone from those with deep
Finnish roots to first-time visitors eager to discover a fascinating
culture.

More than a festival, FinnFest is an invitation to connect with the
people, traditions, and ideas that have shaped Finland for generations.
Whether you’re attending for the performances, exploring your family
history, or simply curious about one of the happiest countries in the
world, FinnFest offers an experience that is both meaningful and
memorable.

A Celebration of Finnish Heritage

For many attendees, FinnFest is a chance to reconnect with their
heritage. Families gather to honor traditions passed down through
generations, share stories, and celebrate the customs that continue to
shape Finnish-American communities today.

For others, it’s an opportunity to learn. You don’t need Finnish
ancestry to appreciate the country’s rich history, remarkable
resilience, and vibrant cultural traditions. FinnFest welcomes everyone
with the same spirit of curiosity, learning, and community.

Throughout the festival, you’ll discover presentations that explore
Finnish immigration, historical milestones, literature, language,
architecture, and the enduring contributions of Finns around the world.
These sessions provide context and perspective, helping visitors better
understand how Finland’s past continues to influence its present.

Experience Finland Through Music

Music has always been an essential part of Finnish culture, and
FinnFest’s performance lineup reflects both tradition and innovation.

Festival-goers can enjoy performances from acclaimed musicians
representing a wide range of styles, from folk-inspired melodies to
contemporary sounds that showcase the creativity of today’s Finnish
artists. Featured performers such as Ruut, Jonathan Rundman, Eeppi
Ursin, Charlotte Loukola, Kristie Cunningham, and Ida Metsberg &
Kyle Gray Young each bring their own unique voice while celebrating the
richness and diversity of Finnish music.

These performances aren’t simply concerts—they’re opportunities to
experience the stories, emotions, and traditions that connect
generations of artists and audiences alike.

Whether you’re discovering a new favorite musician or reconnecting with
familiar songs, the music at FinnFest offers one of the most memorable
ways to experience Finnish culture.

Discover Stories Beyond the Headlines

Many people know Finland for its breathtaking landscapes, Northern
Lights, and reputation as one of the happiest countries in the world.
While these are certainly part of the story, FinnFest goes much deeper.

The festival offers engaging presentations covering a wide variety of
topics, including Finnish-American history, military history, business,
education, architecture, literature, language, genealogy, and cultural
preservation. Visitors can attend discussions led by respected scholars,
authors, community leaders, and experts who bring these subjects to
life.

Whether you’re interested in tracing your ancestry, learning about
Finnish innovation, or understanding how generations of immigrants built
thriving communities across North America, there’s always something new
to discover.

Experience Finnish Wellness

Well-being has long been woven into everyday life in Finland.

At FinnFest, visitors can explore traditions that encourage balance,
mindfulness, and healthy living. Sessions featuring Asahi, a gentle
Finnish exercise practice, introduce participants to a form of movement
that combines relaxation, breathing, and flexibility. It’s an
approachable wellness activity suitable for people of all ages and
fitness levels.

Of course, no conversation about Finland would be complete without
mentioning the sauna. More than simply a place to relax, the sauna has
long served as a gathering place where families and friends connect,
unwind, and enjoy moments of reflection. Through presentations and
conversations, attendees can gain a deeper appreciation for why the
sauna remains such an important part of Finnish culture today.

Learn a Few Finnish Words Along the Way

One of the joys of visiting FinnFest is discovering small pieces of the
Finnish language.

You may hear friendly greetings like Tervetuloa! (“Welcome!”) or
Kiitos! (“Thank you!”), and perhaps encounter one of Finland’s most
meaningful words: sisu.

While there is no perfect English translation, sisu describes
determination, resilience, courage, and the quiet strength to persevere
through life’s challenges. It has become one of the defining
characteristics associated with Finnish culture and continues to inspire
people around the world.

Throughout the festival, language sessions and cultural presentations
make these traditions accessible, offering visitors a deeper
understanding of both the words and the values behind them.

A Festival That Brings People Together

One of FinnFest’s greatest strengths is its sense of community.

The festival creates opportunities for conversations between
generations, lifelong friendships, and shared experiences that extend
well beyond the event itself. You’ll find families attending together,
students exploring Finnish culture for the first time, travelers
discovering Minneapolis, musicians connecting with audiences, and
volunteers whose passion helps bring the entire celebration to life.

Every conversation, workshop, performance, and presentation contributes
to an atmosphere that feels welcoming, inclusive, and genuine.

Whether you’re attending alone or with family and friends, you’ll
quickly discover that FinnFest is a place where everyone belongs.

Make the Most of Your Visit

If you’re traveling to FinnFest 2026, take time to explore Minneapolis
too. Downtown dining, neighborhood lakes, and nearby cultural
stops—including the American Swedish Institute—make a perfect backdrop
for a Finnish-filled weekend.

Visitors are also encouraged to book accommodations early through
FinnFest’s official hotel partner, Hilton Minneapolis Downtown, for
convenient access to festival activities and programming.
Book the FinnFest hotel block.

Planning ahead allows you to experience more performances, attend
additional sessions, and fully immerse yourself in everything FinnFest
has to offer.

More Than an Event—An Experience

At its heart, FinnFest isn’t about checking items off an itinerary.
It’s about discovering stories, celebrating traditions, meeting
remarkable people, and experiencing a culture that continues to inspire
through creativity, resilience, innovation, and community.

Whether you come for the music, the history, the food, the language, the
educational sessions, or simply the opportunity to learn something new,
you’ll leave with a greater appreciation for Finland and the people who
continue to share its traditions with the world.

You may not need a passport to experience Finland—but you will need an
open mind, a sense of curiosity, and a willingness to connect with a
culture that has something meaningful to offer everyone.

We look forward to welcoming you to FinnFest 2026. Tervetuloa!

FinnFest is built by a community that comes together to celebrate Finnish culture, music, food, stories, sauna, friendship, and connection. This year, there is one especially simple way attendees can help support the event: stay with us at the Hilton Minneapolis.

Every room booked through the FinnFest hotel block helps us meet our hotel commitment and manage overall event costs. It is an easy but meaningful way to support FinnFest while also putting yourself right in the middle of the weekend.

Stay Where FinnFest Comes Together

When you stay at the host hotel, you are steps from programming, concerts, exhibits, and evening gatherings—and from the fellow attendees who make FinnFest feel like a reunion. The lobby becomes a meeting place between sessions. Conversations spill over from the schedule into late-night plans. You are part of the full weekend, not just individual events on your calendar.

Yes, There Is a Sauna

Make a Weekend of It

Beyond the festival itself, the hotel offers an indoor pool, a Starbucks for mornings, on-site dining and casual options, and the Topgolf Swing Suite for friends or family in the evening—nice extras that round out your Minneapolis stay.

Your Reservation Helps FinnFest

Room reservations through our official hotel block help support the festival’s ability to bring people together in Minneapolis, keep the event financially sustainable, and continue this gathering for the Finnish-American community—even if you are not able to sponsor, volunteer, or donate. Your stay matters.