The world’s most international and culturally diverse music fair and showcase festival WOMEX Worldwide Music Expo will return to Finland in October 2025. The 30-year-old WOMEX event, held in Manchester this year, will return to Tampere, “the Manchester of Finland”, only six years after its last time in Finland.
The WOMEX event brings together more than 2,500 professionals from 90 countries every year. Sellers and buyers of international music meet at the fair, and WOMEX also offers conference programme, discussions, DJ evenings and music films. The most important element, however, is the showcase festival, featuring dozens of top artists from different countries around the world on seven stages.
The WOMEX day programme will mostly take place in Tampere Hall, where the fair is held, seminars are organised, and films are shown. In the evening, both halls of Tampere Hall will serve as concert stages. Other showcases will be organised at Tavara-asema, Olympia and Hotel Torni. Arthouse Cinema Niagara will show WOMEX films to the general audience. WOMEX is characterised by an extensive approach to music. In addition to each country’s own music styles and contemporary folk music, it attracts professionals of jazz, electronic music and art music.
“Our folk music is a strong brand around the world and is known for its high level of artistry and distinctiveness. WOMEX, visiting Finland for the second time, offers musicians and other professionals a unique opportunity to showcase their music and create an international network. Finnish contemporary folk music is one of the spearheads of our music exports,” says Mikko Manninen, Executive Director of Music Finland. The music export organisation Music Finland will ensure the visibility of and services for Finnish folk music competence and Finnish exporters during the event.
“Tampere is very pleased that WOMEX returns to our city. Events and the experience economy are an integral part of the city’s strategy, and the music professionals’ event is an excellent fit,” says Matti Helimo, Deputy Mayor of Tampere.
WOMEX Worldwide Music Expo is organised by the German music company Piranha Arts AG. The event’s main Finnish organiser is Rockadillo Production Oy, a Tampere music company, and Music Finland acts as a strategic partner. Other partners of the event include the Ministry of Education and Culture, the City of Tampere, Visit Tampere and Tampere Hall.
