This autumn, the small Finnish municipality of Pyhtää will host Hiljaa Fest, billed as the world’s first Festival of Nature Listening. Taking place on 10 October 2026 in Valkmusa National Park, the free event invites visitors to switch off, slow down and listen to the sounds of Finnish nature.
Dubbed Finland’s own “Quietchella”, the festival swaps pop stars and live bands for a rather different line-up: black grouse, wind, water, birdsong and rustling bog moss.
Just a 90-minute drive east of Helsinki, Valkmusa National Park is one of southern Finland’s most distinctive wilderness areas. The park is home to around 40 different mire habitats, with boardwalk trails, observation towers, and resting spots that let visitors explore its wetlands and autumn landscapes.
“We believe Hiljaa Fest can be our own little ‘Quietchella’,” says Terhi Lindholm, Municipal Director of Pyhtää. “It encourages visitors to stop, truly enjoy the silence and take in the surrounding nature with all their senses.”
The world’s quietest festival
Hiljaa Fest will feature 13 natural ‘performers’ across four stages throughout the national park. Unlike a traditional festival, however, no one can guarantee every act will show up.
“Some performers can be guaranteed to be there – but some are a little more mercurial by nature,” says wilderness guide and Hiljaa Fest Creative Director, Simo Peri. “We might also have guest appearances from surprise performers we didn’t originally expect.”
The idea taps into something increasingly hard to find when travelling – genuine peace. Rather than filling the silence, Hiljaa Fest encourages visitors to pay attention to the sounds already there – from anything to weather changes, wildlife, people – it’s a very varied experience.
And it won’t disappear after opening night. Following the launch on 10 October, Hiljaa Fest will continue throughout the autumn as a self-guided experience, allowing visitors to follow Valkmusa’s trails and discover its natural soundscapes at their own pace.
HOW: Hiljaa Fest launches on 10 October 2026 at Valkmusa National Park in Pyhtää, approximately 90 minutes east of Helsinki. The festival is free to attend and will continue as a self-guided experience throughout the autumn. For more information, visit www.hiljaafest.fi.
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